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Confucianism -> Lunheng -> Autobiography -> 10

充書既成，When Wang Chong's book was completed,
或稽合於古， it was compared by some with the works of the ancients,
不類前人。 and found to be quite different from the writings of previous authors.
或曰：Some hold
「謂之飾文偶辭， that the book may be said to be written partly in a slovenly style.
或徑或迂，Sometimes it is terse, at others diffuse,
或屈或舒。sometimes concise, sometimes prolix.
謂之論道， When a problem is being discussed or a question investigated,
實事委璅， the author is too summary or too loquacious,
文給甘酸，half sweet, half sour.
諧於經不驗， The Classics he does not resemble,
集於傳不合， with the semi-classics he does not agree,
稽之子長不當，內之子雲不入。 nor does he harmonize with either Yang Cheng Tse Chang or Yang Tse Yun.
文不與前相似， Since he is unlike the ancient authors,
安得名佳好、稱工巧？」how can he be considered a good writer, or his book be reputed an able production?
荅曰：I answer that,
飾貌以彊類者失形，if anybody puts on an alien appearance forcibly to be like somebody else, his own shape is lost,
調辭以務似者失情。and if he changes his style to resemble others, he loses his peculiar character.
百夫之子，The sons of a hundred persons
不同父母， have not the same parents.
殊類而生， Being all born in different families,
不必相似， they cannot be similar.
各以所稟，自為佳好。 Each one distinguishes himself by his peculiar gifts.
文必有與合然后稱善，If writings could only then be considered good, when they are conform to a certain standard,
是則代匠斲不傷手，然后稱工巧也。this would be like substituting one workman for another and declaring his work to be a master-piece, provided that in hewing he did not cut his own hand.
文士之務，各有所從，All literary men have their own specialties.
或調辭以巧文， The one polishes his phrases to produce an elegant composition,
或辯偽以實事。 the other combats all errors to establish the truth.
必謀慮有合， Their ultimate aims are the same,
文辭相襲， and the words follow of themselves.
是則五帝不異事， Thus the deeds of the Five Emperors were not different,
三王不殊業也。 and there was no conflict between the actions of the Three Rulers.
美色不同面， Beautiful looks are not the same,
皆佳於目； but their aspect is always pleasing to the eye:
悲音不共聲， sentimental airs are not identical,
皆快於耳。 but their music is always gratifying to the ear.
酒醴異氣， Wines have different flavours,
飲之皆醉； but they all inebriate,
百穀殊味， the tastes of various cereals vary,
食之皆飽。 but they all appease our hunger.
謂文當與前合， If conformity to old standard be required of a literary production,
是謂舜眉當復八采，then we would be entitled to expect that Shun also should have eye-brows with eight colours
禹目當復重瞳。 and Yu eyes with double pupils.

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