| Chinese Text Project |
《七諫 - Seven Admonitions》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Books referencing 《七諫》 Library Resources |
《初放 - First Exile 》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 初放: |
平生於國兮，長於原野。 言語訥譅兮，又無彊輔。 淺智褊能兮，聞見又寡。 數言便事兮，見怨門下。 王不察其長利兮，卒見棄乎原野。 伏念思過兮，無可改者。 群眾成朋兮，上浸以惑。 巧佞在前兮，賢者滅息。 堯、舜聖已沒兮，孰為忠直？ 高山崔巍兮，水流湯湯。 死日將至兮，與麋鹿如坑。 塊兮鞠，當道宿，舉世皆然兮，余將誰告？ 斥逐鴻鵠兮，近習鴟梟，斬伐橘柚兮，列樹苦桃。 便娟之修竹兮，寄生乎江潭。 上葳蕤而防露兮，下泠泠而來風。 孰知其不合兮？ 若竹柏之異心。 往者不可及兮，來者不可待。 悠悠蒼天兮，莫我振理。 竊怨君之不寤兮，吾獨死而後已。 |
| I was born in a country, and grew up on the plains. My words are hesitant and awkward, and I also lack strong support. I have shallow wisdom and narrow ability; my knowledge and experience are also meager. Having spoken several times about convenient matters, I was resented by those under the gate. The king did not discern its long-term benefits; ultimately it was abandoned on the plains. I humbly reflect upon my past mistakes, but find nothing that can be changed. The crowd forms cliques; the ruler above becomes increasingly confused. Cunning flatterers are in front, while virtuous people fall silent. Yao and Shun, the sage kings, have already passed away; who now is loyal and upright? High mountains tower majestically; rivers flow swiftly. The day of death is approaching, and I am treated like a deer in a pit. Lying alone on the roadside for lodging, the whole world is thus; to whom shall I complain? Drive away cranes and swans, and instead befriend hawks and owls; cut down tangerine and pomelo trees, and plant bitter apricot trees in their place. The graceful and tall bamboo grows as a parasite by the river pools. Above, it flourishes but is guarded against dew; below, it is cool and brings wind. Who knows that they are not in harmony? Like the bamboo and cypress having different hearts. The past cannot be reached, and the future cannot be awaited. O vast heavens above! No one will rescue or justify me. I secretly resent the ruler's failure to awaken; I alone shall die and that is all. |
《沈江 - Shen Jiang 》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Books referencing 《沈江》 Library Resources |
| 1 | 沈江: |
惟往古之得失兮，覽私微之所傷。 堯、舜聖而慈仁兮，後世稱而弗忘。 齊桓失於專任兮，夷吾忠而名彰。 晉獻惑於孋姬兮，申生孝而被殃。 偃王行其仁義兮，荊文寤而徐亡。 紂暴虐以失位兮，周得佐乎呂望。 修往古以行恩兮，封比干之丘壟。 賢俊慕而自附兮，日浸淫而合同。 明法令而修理兮，蘭芷幽而有芳。 苦眾人之妒予兮，箕子寤而佯狂。 不顧地以貪名兮，心怫鬱而內傷。 聯蕙芷以為佩兮，過鮑肆而失香。 正臣端其操行兮，反離謗而見攘。 世俗更而變化兮，伯夷餓於首陽。 獨廉潔而不容兮，叔齊久而逾明。 浮雲陳而蔽晦兮，使日月乎無光。 忠臣貞而欲諫兮，讒諛毀而在旁。 秋草榮其將實兮，微霜下而夜降。 商風肅而害生兮，百草育而不長。 眾並諧以妒賢兮，孤聖特而易傷。 懷計謀而不見用兮，巖穴處而隱藏。 成功隳而不卒兮，子胥死而不葬。 世從俗而變化兮，隨風靡而成行。 信直退而毀敗兮，虛偽進而得當。 追悔過之無及兮，豈盡忠而有功。 廢制度而不用兮，務行私而去公。 終不變而死節兮，惜年齒之未央。 將方舟而下流兮，冀幸君之發矇。 痛忠言之逆耳兮，恨申子之沈江。 願悉心之所聞兮，遭值君之不聰。 不開寤而難道兮，不別橫之與縱。 聽姦臣之浮說兮，絕國家之久長。 滅規矩而不用兮，背繩墨之正方。 離憂患而乃寤兮，若縱火於秋蓬。 業失之而不救兮，尚何論乎禍凶。 彼離畔而朋黨兮，獨行之士其何望？ 日漸染而不自知兮，秋毫微哉而變容。 眾輕積而折軸兮，原咎雜而累重。 赴湘、沅之流澌兮，恐逐波而復東。 懷沙礫而自沈兮，不忍見君之蔽壅。 |
| Reflecting on past gains and losses, I see how private grievances have caused harm. Yao and Shun were sage and kind-hearted; later generations praised them and never forgot. Qi Huan erred in his exclusive reliance on others, while Yi Wu remained loyal and thus earned fame. Jin Xian was deceived by Li Ji; Shen Sheng, though filial, suffered misfortune. Yan Wang practiced benevolence and righteousness, yet Jing Wen awoke to find Xu perished. Zhou was tyrannical and lost his throne; the Zhou dynasty gained assistance from Yu Wang. Following the ways of ancient times to practice kindness, they built a tomb for Bi Gan. The virtuous and talented admired him and naturally attached themselves; day by day, their unity deepened. Clarifying laws and regulations to maintain order, the orchid and sweet flag remain fragrant in seclusion. Suffering from the envy of many people, Ji Zi awoke to madness and pretended to be insane. Neglecting reality for the sake of fame, his heart became troubled and inwardly wounded. Stringing together hui zhi to make a sash, he passed by the fish shop and lost its fragrance. Upright ministers maintained their integrity, yet were falsely accused and driven away. The customs of the world changed; Boyi starved to death at Shouyang. Remaining uniquely clean and incorruptible yet unwelcome, Shu Qi's virtue became even clearer over time. Floating clouds spread and obscured the sky, causing sun and moon to lose their light. Loyal ministers remained steadfast and wished to advise, yet slanderers and flatterers stood by. Autumn grass flourished as it was about to bear fruit; a light frost fell at night. The autumn wind became severe and harmed life, while the hundred herbs grew but did not thrive. Many conspired in harmony to envy the virtuous; a solitary sage stood out and was easily harmed. Holding strategies but not being employed, he dwelled in caves and remained hidden. Success crumbled before completion; Wu Zixu died without burial. The world followed custom and changed, drifting with the wind to form ranks. Honesty and uprightness receded into ruin; falsehoods advanced and found favor. Regret came too late; how could wholehearted loyalty have achieved success? Discarding systems and not employing them, they pursued private interests and abandoned the public good. Ultimately unchanging in upholding his principles until death, he regretted that his years had not yet reached their prime. He would take a boat and go downstream, hoping the sovereign might awaken from ignorance. Pained by loyal words that were disagreeable to the ear, he lamented Shen Zi's drowning in the river. I wish my sincere advice had been heard, but I encountered a sovereign who was not wise. He would not awaken and thus could not be guided; he failed to distinguish between the horizontal and vertical paths. Listening to the false words of wicked ministers, he severed the long-term stability of the state. Destroying rules and measurements without using them, he abandoned the upright principles of the compass and plumb line. Only after suffering distress did he awaken; it was like setting fire to dry autumn grass. Having lost his cause without rescue, what need is there to speak of calamity or misfortune? Those who have turned away and formed factions—what hope remains for the lone upright man? Day by day, he was tainted without realizing it; even a fine autumn hair could change his appearance. The weight of many light burdens broke the axle; original faults accumulated and became heavy. He rushed to the drifting ice on the Xiang and Yuan rivers, fearing he would be swept along with the waves back eastward. Clutching sand and gravel to drown himself, he could not bear to see his sovereign blinded and obstructed. |
《怨世 - Lament on the World 》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 怨世: |
世沈淖而難論兮，俗岒峨而嵾嵯。 清泠泠而殲滅兮，溷湛湛而日多。 梟鴞既以成群兮，玄鶴弭翼而屏移。 蓬艾親入御於床笫兮，馬蘭踸踔而日加。 棄捐葯芷與杜衡兮，余柰世之不知芳何？ 何周道之平易兮，然蕪穢而險戲。 高陽無故而委塵兮，唐虞點灼而毀議。 誰使正其真是兮，雖有八師而不可為。 皇天保其高兮，後土持其久。 服清白以逍遙兮，偏與乎玄英異色。 西施媞媞而不得見兮，嫫母勃屑而日侍。 桂蠹不知所淹留兮，蓼蟲不知徙乎葵菜。 處湣湣之濁世兮，今安所達乎吾志。 意有所載而遠逝兮，固非眾人之所識。 驥躊躇於弊輂兮，遇孫陽而得代。 呂望窮困而不聊生兮，遭周文而舒志。 甯戚飯牛而商歌兮，桓公聞而弗置。 路室女之方桑兮，孔子過之以自侍。 吾獨乖剌而無當兮，心悼怵而耄思。 思比干之恲恲兮，哀子胥之慎事。 悲楚人之和氏兮，獻寶玉以為石。 遇厲武之不察兮，羌兩足以畢斮。 小人之居勢兮，視忠正之何若？ 改前聖之法度兮，喜囁嚅而妄作。 親讒諛而疏賢聖兮，訟謂閭娵為醜惡。 愉近習而蔽遠兮，孰知察其黑白？ 卒不得效其心容兮，安眇眇而無所歸薄。 專精爽以自明兮，晦冥冥而壅蔽。 年既已過太半兮，然埳軻而留滯。 欲高飛而遠集兮，恐離罔而滅敗。 獨冤抑而無極兮，傷精神而壽夭。 皇天既不純命兮，余生終無所依。 願自沈於江流兮，絕橫流而徑逝。 寧為江海之泥塗兮，安能久見此濁世？ |
| The world is murky and hard to discuss, while customs are rugged and precipitous. Clear and cold it perishes utterly, while filth accumulates day by day. The hawks and owls have already formed flocks; the black cranes tuck their wings and withdraw. Tumbleweed and wormwood personally enter the imperial bedchamber, while Strobilanthes chinensis [a type of plant] grows more rampant day by day. Abandoning medicinal calamus and Liriope muscari, how can I bear that the world no longer knows fragrance? Why was the Zhou dynasty's way so smooth and easy? Yet it became overgrown with weeds, dangerous and treacherous. Gao Yang fell to dust without cause; Tang Yu was criticized and burned in reputation. Who can make right what is truly just? Even with eight armies, it cannot be done. The supreme Heaven preserves its height; the Earth supports its longevity. Wearing purity and whiteness to wander at ease, yet differing in hue from the dark and bright ones. łoży Xishi, graceful and elegant, cannot be seen; Momu, sallow and dull, serves day by day. The locusts in the cinnamon tree do not know where they linger; the wormwood insect does not know to move from wormwood to chives. Living in a murky and corrupt world, where now can I express my aspirations? Intent on bearing something and departing far away, it is indeed not understood by the common people. The steed hesitates before a broken cart; upon meeting Sun Yang, it finds its master. Lü Wang was poor and wretched, barely able to live; he encountered King Wen of Zhou and thus unfolded his aspirations. Ning Qi fed oxen while singing a merchant's song; Duke Huan heard it and did not let him go. When the woman of Lu Shi was mulberry picking, Confucius passed by to serve her himself. Alone I am awkward and unfit; my heart grieves in fear and grows old with sorrowful thoughts. Thinking of Bi Gan, so upright and resolute; grieving for Wu Zixu, who was cautious in his affairs. Lamenting the Chu man He Shi, who presented a precious jade but it was mistaken for a stone. Meeting with Li Wu's failure to discern, his two feet were cut off completely. When small men hold power, how do they regard loyalty and righteousness? They alter the laws and standards of former sages, delighting in whispering and making reckless actions. They favor flatterers and alienate the virtuous and sage, falsely calling Lü Ju ugly and wicked. Pleasing those nearby while obscuring those far away—who can discern their black from white? In the end, unable to express his inner thoughts and appearance, he is lost in vast emptiness with nowhere to return. Dedicated to clarity for self-illumination, yet shrouded in darkness and obstruction. Half my life has already passed, yet I remain stuck in misfortune and delay. I wish to fly high and settle far away, but fear falling into confusion and ruin. Alone in endless injustice, I grieve my spirit and shorten my life. Since the supreme Heaven does not bestow a clear fate, my life will end without support or reliance. I wish to drown myself in the river's current, cutting through the surging waters and departing directly. Rather be mire of rivers and seas, how could I long endure this corrupt world? |
《怨思 - Lamentations of Resentment 》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 怨思: |
士窮而隱處兮，廉方正而不容。 子胥諫而靡軀兮，比干忠而剖心。 子推自割而飤君兮，德日忘而怨深。 行明白而曰黑兮，荊棘聚而成林。 江離棄於窮巷兮，蒺藜蔓乎東廂。 賢者蔽而不見兮，讒諛進而相朋。 梟鴞並進而俱鳴兮，鳳皇飛而高翔。 願壹往而徑逝兮，道壅絕而不通。 |
| When a scholar is destitute and retires into seclusion, his integrity and uprightness make him unacceptable to others. Subu Jiaxun advised but lost his life, and Bi Gan was loyal yet had his heart extracted. Zitui cut out his own flesh to feed the ruler, but as days passed, virtue was forgotten and resentment deepened. Though conduct is clearly upright, it is called black; thorny brambles gather to form a forest. Jiangli was abandoned in the desolate lane, while caltrop vines spread along the eastern corridor. The worthy are obscured and unseen, while slanderers and flatterers advance and become companions. Crows and owls advance together and cry aloud, while the phoenix flies and soars aloft. I wish to go forth directly and depart forever, but the path is blocked and impassable. |
《自悲 - Self-Lament 》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 自悲: |
居愁懃其誰告兮，獨永思而憂悲。 內自省而不俟兮，操愈堅而不衰。 隱三年而無決兮，歲忽忽其若頹。 憐余身不足以卒意兮，冀一見而復歸。 哀人事之不幸兮，屬天命而委之咸池。 身被疾而不閒兮，心沸熱其若湯。 冰炭不可以相並兮，吾固知乎命之不長。 哀獨苦死之無樂兮，惜余年之未央。 悲不反余之所居兮，恨離予之故鄉。 鳥獸驚而失群兮，猶高飛而哀鳴。 狐死必首丘兮，夫人孰能不反其真情？ 故人疏而日忘兮，新人近而俞好。 莫能行於杳冥兮，孰能施於無報？ 苦眾人之皆然兮，乘回風而遠游。 淩恆山其若陋兮，聊愉娛以忘憂。 悲虛言之無實兮，苦眾口之鑠金。 遇故鄉而一顧兮，泣歔欷而霑衿。 厭白玉以為面兮，懷琬琰以為心。 邪氣入而感內兮，施玉色而外淫。 何青雲之流瀾兮，微霜降之矇矇。 徐風至而徘徊兮，疾風過之湯湯。 聞南藩樂而欲往兮，至會稽而且止。 見韓眾而宿之兮，問天道之所在？ 借浮雲以送予兮，載雌霓而為旌。 駕青龍以馳騖兮，班衍衍之冥冥。 忽容容其安之兮，超慌忽其焉如？ 苦眾人之難信兮，願離群而遠舉。 登巒山而遠望兮，好桂樹之冬榮。 觀天火之炎煬兮，聽大壑之波聲。 引八維以自道兮，含沆瀣以長生。 居不樂以時思兮，食草木之秋實。 飲菌若之朝露兮，構桂木而為室。 雜橘柚以為囿兮，列新夷與椒楨。 鵾鶴孤而夜號兮，哀居者之誠貞。 |
| Who can tell me of my sorrow and grief? I alone remain in ceaseless thought and mournful sadness. Reflecting inwardly without waiting for others, I hold fast to my resolve with ever greater firmness and it does not wane. Hiding for three years without resolution, the years pass swiftly as if collapsing. Pitying my body which is insufficient to complete my intent, I hope for a single meeting and then return home. Lamenting the misfortunes of human affairs, I entrust them to Heaven's decree and leave them to Xianchi. My body is afflicted with illness without respite; my heart boils with heat as if in boiling water. Ice and charcoal cannot coexist, I have long known that my life is not to be prolonged. Lamenting the sorrow of death without joy, I regret that my years are not yet at their end. Sorrowful is it that I cannot return to where I dwell; resentful am I of being parted from my native land. Birds and beasts are startled and lose their flocks, still they fly high and cry in sorrow. When a fox dies, it must face its hill; what person can refrain from returning to their true feelings? Old friends grow distant and are forgotten day by day; new companions draw near and become ever more beloved. None can act in the depths of darkness, who could offer aid without expecting reward? Suffering from how all people are thus, I ride the returning wind and travel far away. Scaling Hengshan as if it were lowly, I seek momentary pleasure to forget my sorrows. Grieve for empty words without truth; endure the sorrow of many voices that can melt metal. Meeting my native land and casting a single glance, I weep with sobs and tears drench my robe. Disgusted by white jade as a face, I cherish Wanyan for the heart. Evil qi enters and affects inwardly; it spreads jade-like color outward in licentiousness. Why do the blue clouds surge like waves, as faint frost descends in a hazy veil? The gentle wind arrives and lingers; the fierce wind passes by with rushing force. Hearing of Nanfan's music and wishing to go, I reached Kuaiji and stopped there. Meeting Han Zhong and lodging with him, I asked where the Way of Heaven lies? Borrowing drifting clouds to send me off, they bear the female rainbow as a banner. Driving the Azure Dragon in swift gallop, I proceed through the dark expanse of Banyan. Suddenly at ease and composed, how can one transcend this bewildering state? Suffering from the difficulty of trusting many people, I wish to leave the crowd and soar far away. Climbing Luan Mountain and gazing afar, I admire the cinnamon trees that flourish in winter. Observing the blazing fire of Heaven, I listen to the surging waves of the great abyss. Guiding myself by drawing on the Eight Directions, I contain Hangxie for eternal life. Dwelling without joy and thinking in due time, I eat the autumn fruits of grasses and trees. Drinking the morning dew from Junruo, I build a house with cinnamon wood. Mixing tangerines and pomelos as an orchard, I arrange Xin Yi and prickly ash trees in rows. The Kunhe cries alone at night; it laments the sincerity and integrity of those who dwell here. |
《哀命 - Lament for Fate 》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 哀命: |
哀時命之不合兮，傷楚國之多憂。 內懷情之潔白兮，遭亂世而離尤。 惡耿介之直行兮，世溷濁而不知。 何君臣之相失兮，上沅湘而分離。 測汨羅之湘水兮，知時固而不反。 傷離散之交亂兮，遂側身而既遠。 處玄舍之幽門兮，穴巖石而窟伏。 從水蛟而為徙兮，與神龍乎休息。 何山石之嶄巖兮，靈魂屈而偃蹇。 含素水而蒙深兮，日眇眇而既遠。 哀形體之離解兮，神罔兩而無舍。 惟椒蘭之不反兮，魂迷惑而不知路。 願無過之設行兮，雖滅沒之自樂。 痛楚國之流亡兮，哀靈修之過到。 固時俗之溷濁兮，志瞀迷而不知路。 念私門之正匠兮，遙涉江而遠去。 念女嬃之嬋媛兮，涕泣流乎於悒。 我決死而不生兮，雖重追吾何及。 戲疾瀨之素水兮，望高山之蹇產。 哀高丘之赤岸兮，遂沒身而不反。 |
| I grieve that my destiny is ill-fated, and mourn the many troubles of the Chu state. With a pure and upright heart within, I encountered a chaotic age and suffered unjust blame. I detest the upright conduct of integrity; the world is muddled and corrupt, yet remains unaware. Why have ruler and minister become estranged? We part ways as we ascend the Yuanxiang River. Surveying the Xiang River at Miluo, I realize that time is fixed and will not turn back. Grieved by the chaos of parting and scattering, I have thus turned aside and gone far away. Dwelling in the secluded gate of the dark dwelling, I hide in caves hollowed out among rocks. Following the water dragons as they move about, I rest with the divine dragon. Why are the mountain rocks so jagged and steep? My spirit is bent and hindered. Drinking pure water while being deeply submerged, each day passes by remote and distant. I grieve for my body's disintegration; my spirit is restless and finds no rest. Only the fragrant jiao and lan will not return; my soul is bewildered and knows not the way. I wish to act without transgression, even if I perish in obscurity, I would find joy in it. Pained by the exile of my beloved Chu state, I mourn the excessive mistakes of its wise ruler. Indeed, the customs of this age are muddled and corrupt; my aspirations are confused and I know not the way. Thinking of the virtuous master of my private gate, he has crossed the river afar and gone away. Thinking of Nü Xu's graceful beauty, I weep tears of sorrow and distress. I have resolved to die rather than live; even if pursued again, how could I catch up? Playing in the swift-flowing clear waters, gazing at the towering and rugged mountains. Mourning the red banks of Gaoqiu Hill, I shall perish there without returning. |
《謬諫 - Miu Jian 》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 謬諫: |
怨靈修之浩蕩兮，夫何執操之不固？ 悲太山之為隍兮，孰江河之可涸？ 願承閒而效志兮，恐犯忌而乾諱。 卒撫情以寂寞兮，然怊悵而自悲。 玉與石其同匱兮，貫魚眼與珠璣。 駑駿雜而不分兮，服罷牛而驂驥。 年滔滔而自遠兮，壽冉冉而愈衰。 心悇憛而煩冤兮，蹇超搖而無冀。 固時俗之工巧兮，滅規矩而改錯。 卻騏驥而不乘兮，策駑駘而取路。 當世豈無騏驥兮，誠無王良之善馭。 見執轡者非其人兮，故駒跳而遠去。 不量鑿而正枘兮，恐矩矱之不同。 不論世而高舉兮，恐操行之不調。 弧弓弛而不張兮，孰雲知其所至？ 無傾危之患難兮，焉知賢士之所死？ 俗推佞而進富兮，節行張而不著。 賢良蔽而不群兮，朋曹比而黨譽。 邪說飾而多曲兮，正法弧而不公。 直士隱而避匿兮，讒諛登乎明堂。 棄彭咸之娛樂兮，滅巧倕之繩墨。 菎蕗雜於黀蒸兮，機蓬矢以射革。 駕蹇驢而無策兮，又何路之能極？ 以直鍼而為釣兮，又何魚之能得？ 伯牙之絕弦兮，無鍾子期而聽之。 和抱璞而泣血兮，安得良工而剖之？ 同音者相和兮，同類者相似。 飛鳥號其群兮，鹿鳴求其友。 故叩宮而宮應兮，彈角而角動。 虎嘯而谷風至兮，龍舉而景雲往。 音聲之相和兮，言物類之相感也。 夫方圜之異形兮，勢不可以相錯。 列子隱身而窮處兮，世莫可以寄託。 眾鳥皆有行列兮，鳳獨翔翔而無所薄。 經濁世而不得志兮，願側身巖穴而自託。 欲闔口而無言兮，嘗被君之厚德。 獨便悁而懷毒兮，愁鬱鬱之焉極？ 念三年之積思兮，願壹見而陳辭。 不及君而騁說兮，世孰可為明之？ 身寢疾而日愁兮，情沈抑而不揚。 眾人莫可與論道兮，悲精神之不通。 |
| I lament the Way of Cultivation being so vast and boundless; why is one's firmness in cultivation not steadfast? I grieve that Mount Tai has become a moat; who could ever dry up the rivers and streams? I wish to take advantage of an opportunity to express my aspirations, yet I fear offending taboos and violating prohibitions. Finally, restraining emotions in solitude, still feeling sorrowful and grieving for myself. Jade and stone are placed together in the same casket; fish eyes are strung alongside pearls as if they were precious beads. Slow and swift horses are mixed without distinction, yoked with oxen while the fine steeds pull alongside them. Years flow on endlessly into the distance; life wanes gradually and grows ever weaker. My heart is troubled and burdened with grievance, my steps falter without hope of progress. Indeed, the customs of the age are skillful in deception, abolishing standards and altering mistakes. They reject the qiji (fine steeds) without riding them, instead driving slow, clumsy horses to take the road. In this age are there truly no qiji (fine steeds)? Indeed, there is a lack of Wangliang's skill in horsemanship. Seeing that the one holding the reins is not the right person, hence the young horse leaps away and departs far. Not measuring the chisel to fit the mortise properly, I fear that standards and measurements differ. Without considering the world's conditions while aspiring too high, I fear my conduct is not in harmony. The bowstring is slack and not drawn taut; who could say where it will reach? Without dangers of peril or hardship, how can one know the place where a virtuous man would die? Customs promote flatterers and advance wealth, while integrity and conduct are upheld but not recognized. Virtuous men are obscured and excluded from the crowd, while sycophants form cliques and promote each other's reputations. Devious arguments are adorned with many twists, while just laws are neglected and not impartially applied. основной Straight men hide themselves in seclusion, while slanderers and flatterers ascend to the great hall of governance. Abandoning Peng Xian's joys and pleasures, they extinguish Qiao Chui's standards and rules. The fragrant grasses are mixed with foul steam; the bowstring is drawn to shoot at a hide target. Driving a slow donkey without a whip, how can one ever reach the end of the road? Using an upright needle as a fishing hook, what kind of fish could possibly be caught? Boya broke his zither string; there was no Zhong Ziqi to listen and understand. He Bopu wept blood in sorrow; how could he find a skilled craftsman to carve it? Those with the same tone harmonize with each other, and those of the same kind resemble one another. Flying birds call to their flocks; deer cry out in search of companions. Therefore, when the Gong tone is struck, it resonates as Gong; when the Jiao tone is plucked, it responds in Jiao. When the tiger roars, mountain winds arise; when the dragon rises, auspicious clouds follow. The harmony of sounds and voices is a mutual resonance between things of similar kind. Square and round differ in shape; their forms cannot be interchanged. Liezi concealed himself and lived in poverty; the world offered no place to entrust his hopes. All birds fly in formation, but alone does the phoenix soar without a resting place. Passing through a corrupt world and failing to achieve my aspirations, I wish to turn aside and dwell in caves for refuge. I want to close my mouth and remain silent, yet often have been touched by the ruler's great virtue. Alone I brood with resentment and harbor bitterness; how deep and boundless is my sorrow? Thinking of three years of accumulated thoughts, I wish for a single audience to present my words. Failing to reach the ruler and offer my counsel, who in this world could be enlightened by it? My body lies ill and my days are filled with sorrow; my feelings sink into suppression without rising. No one among the common people can discuss the Way with me; I grieve that spirit and understanding do not connect. | ||
| 2 | 謬諫: |
亂曰： 鸞皇孔鳳日以遠兮，畜鳧駕鵝。 雞鶩滿堂壇兮，鼁黽游乎華池。 要褭奔亡兮，騰駕橐駝。 鉛刀進御兮，遙棄太阿。 拔搴玄芝兮，列樹芋荷。 橘柚萎枯兮，苦李旖旎。 甂甌登於明堂兮，周鼎潛乎深淵。 自古而固然兮，吾又何怨乎今之人。 |
| Chorus: The luanhuang and kongfeng grow ever distant, while flocks of wild geese and domesticated swans are kept. Chickens and ducks fill the hall and altars, while giant toads swim in the ornate pools. The yao niao gallop away; they ride on camels instead of steeds. Lead-edged knives are presented to the ruler, while the Ta'e (a famous sword) is cast aside in remote places. Pulling up the dark ginseng, they plant rows of yu and lotus instead. Tangerines and pomelos wither and dry; bitter plums flourish luxuriantly. Clay pots ascend to the grand hall, while Zhou dynasty tripods lie hidden in deep abysses. Since ancient times it has been thus; why should I resent people of today? |
URN: ctp:chu-ci/qi-jian