Chinese Classical Literature

Chinese Fable Stories – Playing the Harp to an Ox

对牛弹琴(拼音:duì niú tán qín)是一个汉语成语,最早出自汉代牟融撰写的《理惑论》。该成语比喻对不讲道理的人讲道理,对不懂得美的人讲风雅,也用来讥讽人讲话时不看对象。 《古代寓言·对牛弹琴》 公明仪为牛弹清角之操,伏食为故,非牛不闻,不合其耳矣。转为蚊虻之声,孤牍之鸣,即掉尾,奋耳、蹀躞而听。 ——《牟子》 Playing the Harp to an Ox One day Gong Mingyi, the celebrated musician, was playing an elegant tune on his harp to amuse a browsing ox. The ox, however, continued to munch, paying no heed to him at all. Then he struck up some different notes, which sounded […]

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Chinese Fable Stories – The Blind Man and the Lame Man

《淮南子》(又名《淮南鸿烈》、《刘安子》)是西汉皇族淮南王刘安及其门客收集史料集体编写而成的一部哲学著作。 《淮南子》相传是由西汉皇族淮南王刘安主持撰写,故而得名。该书在继承先秦道家思想的基础上,综合了诸子百家学说中的精华部分,对后世研究秦汉时期文化起到了不可替代的作用。 《古代寓言·瞎子和跛子》 寇难至,躄者告盲者,盲者负而走,两人皆活。得其所能也。 ——《淮南子》 The Blind Man and the Lame Man A certain country was invaded by its enemy. When a lame man there told a blind man of this, the blind man carried the lame one on his back and they escaped together. They did this by making use of each other’s strong

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Nanlanshinde: Red Jujube ~ 纳兰性德·《赤枣子·惊晓漏》 with English Translations

《赤枣子·惊晓漏》是清代词人纳兰性德的词作。此词以少女的形象、口吻写春愁春感,写其春晓护眠,娇慵倦怠,又暗生自怜的情态与心理。 纳兰性德·《赤枣子·惊晓漏》 惊晓漏, 护春眠。 格外娇慵只自怜。 寄语酿花风日好, 绿窗来与上琴弦。 Red Jujube Nanlanshinde Though startled from sleep by the morning call, What lets it but she would be there for the Spring thrall, And the lonely chamber stay accounts for her special lassitude. In the womb of fine weather, flowers are worded by the interval, And the green-windowed

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Nanlanshinde: Red Jujube ~ 纳兰性德·《赤枣子·风淅淅》 with English Translations

《赤枣子·风淅淅》是清代词人纳兰性德创作一首词。作者写春雨的景象,触景生情,一个人在春雨中分不清楚自己是在做梦还是生活在现实中,抒发思念故人的愁情。词人通过朦胧的意境表达了一种莫可名状的惆怅。词写得生动而委婉,清丽自然,耐人寻味。 纳兰性德·《赤枣子·风淅淅》 风淅淅, 雨织织。 难怪春愁细细添。 记不分明疑是梦, 梦来还隔一重帘。 Red Jujube Nanlanshinde Rustling was the wind, On and on went the rain. What wonder, then if I was nipped at in the gloomy mood. I had a vague memory of the dream uncertain After my waking from the secret vision within the curtain. (吴松林 译)

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Liu Rushi: Dream of the South: Thinking of Someone ~ 柳如是·《梦江南·怀人·其十四》 with English Translations

柳如是(1618年~1664年),明末清初女诗人,本名杨爱,字如是,又称河东君,因读宋朝辛弃疾《贺新郎》中:“我见青山多妩媚,料青山见我应如是”,故自号如是。与马湘兰、卞玉京、李香君、董小宛、顾横波、寇白门、陈圆圆同称“秦淮八艳”。柳如是是明清易代之际的著名歌妓才女,幼即聪慧好学,但由于家贫,从小就被掠卖到吴江为婢,妙龄时坠入章台,改名为柳隐,在乱世风尘中往来于江浙、金陵之间。留下的作品主要有《湖上草》《戊寅草》与《尺牍》。 柳如是·《梦江南·怀人·其十四》 人何在, 人在木兰舟。 总见客时常独语, 更无知处在梳头。 碧丽怨风流。 Dream of the South: Thinking of Someone Liu Rushi XIV Where was he? In the magnolia boat. Often talking to herself when receiving guests, Feeling more lost while combing her hair, This beauty still broods over his charms. (Kang-I Sun Chang 译)

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Liu Rushi: Dream of the South: Thinking of Someone ~ 柳如是·《梦江南·怀人·其十三》 with English Translations

柳如是(1618年~1664年),明末清初女诗人,本名杨爱,字如是,又称河东君,因读宋朝辛弃疾《贺新郎》中:“我见青山多妩媚,料青山见我应如是”,故自号如是。与马湘兰、卞玉京、李香君、董小宛、顾横波、寇白门、陈圆圆同称“秦淮八艳”。柳如是是明清易代之际的著名歌妓才女,幼即聪慧好学,但由于家贫,从小就被掠卖到吴江为婢,妙龄时坠入章台,改名为柳隐,在乱世风尘中往来于江浙、金陵之间。留下的作品主要有《湖上草》《戊寅草》与《尺牍》。 柳如是·《梦江南·怀人·其十三》 人何在, 人在月明中。 半夜夺他金扼臂, 殢人还复看芙蓉。 心事好朦胧。 Dream of the South: Thinking of Someone Liu Rushi XIII Where was he? In the moonlight. In the middle of the night, I clutched his priceless arm, Lethargic, I looked at the lotus flowers again and again, My inner sentiments, how hazy! (Kang-I Sun Chang 译)

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Liu Rushi: Dream of the South: Thinking of Someone ~ 柳如是·《梦江南·怀人·其十二》 with English Translations

柳如是(1618年~1664年),明末清初女诗人,本名杨爱,字如是,又称河东君,因读宋朝辛弃疾《贺新郎》中:“我见青山多妩媚,料青山见我应如是”,故自号如是。与马湘兰、卞玉京、李香君、董小宛、顾横波、寇白门、陈圆圆同称“秦淮八艳”。柳如是是明清易代之际的著名歌妓才女,幼即聪慧好学,但由于家贫,从小就被掠卖到吴江为婢,妙龄时坠入章台,改名为柳隐,在乱世风尘中往来于江浙、金陵之间。留下的作品主要有《湖上草》《戊寅草》与《尺牍》。 柳如是·《梦江南·怀人·其十二》 人何在, 人在小中亭。 想得起来匀面后, 知他和笑是无情。 遮莫向谁生。 Dream of the South: Thinking of Someone Liu Rushi XII Where was he? At the middle pavilion. Recall once after washing his face, His carefree laughter seemed so unconcerned Who knows for whom he smiled? (Kang-I Sun Chang 译)

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Liu Rushi: Dream of the South: Thinking of Someone ~ 柳如是·《梦江南·怀人·其十五》 with English Translations

柳如是(1618年~1664年),明末清初女诗人,本名杨爱,字如是,又称河东君,因读宋朝辛弃疾《贺新郎》中:“我见青山多妩媚,料青山见我应如是”,故自号如是。与马湘兰、卞玉京、李香君、董小宛、顾横波、寇白门、陈圆圆同称“秦淮八艳”。柳如是是明清易代之际的著名歌妓才女,幼即聪慧好学,但由于家贫,从小就被掠卖到吴江为婢,妙龄时坠入章台,改名为柳隐,在乱世风尘中往来于江浙、金陵之间。留下的作品主要有《湖上草》《戊寅草》与《尺牍》。 柳如是·《梦江南·怀人·其十五》 人何在, 人在绮筵时。 香臂欲抬何处坠, 片言吹去若为思。 况是口微脂。 Dream of the South: Thinking of Someone Liu Rushi XV Where was he? At the magnificent banquet. My perfumed arms fluttered up and down, Words issued in song, like profound thoughts, Chiefly from my faintly glossed lips. (Kang-I Sun Chang 译)

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Chinese Fable Stories – Two Pairs of Eyes

《古代寓言·两只眼睛》 昔有二人共评主者: 一人曰:“好”,一人曰:“丑”。 久而不决;二人各曰:“尔可求人,吾目中则好丑分矣”。 士有定形,二人察之有得失,非苟相反,眼睛异耳。 ——《万机论》 Two Pairs of Eyes Two men were discussing the appearance of their master. “How handsome he is!” said one. “How ugly!” said the other. They argued for a long time and no conclusion could be reached. Finally each said to the other, “Get someone else to look at him

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Chinese Fable Stories – One-Hole Nets

《古代寓言·一个洞的“网”》 语有之曰:“有鸟将来,张罗待之,得鸟者一目也。” 今为一目之罗,无时得鸟矣。 ——《申鉴》 One-Hole Nets There is an old saying, “No matter how big a net one may spread, each bird is caught in a single hole.” Now a person was so fascinated by this witticism that he took a number of pieces of string and made separate loops of them by tying the

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