| Chinese Text Project | |
| Simplified Chinese version |
《自纪 - Autobiography》 | English translation: Albert Forke [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 自纪: | 王充者，会稽上虞人也，字仲任。其先本魏郡元城一姓。孙一几世尝从军有功，封会稽阳亭。一岁仓卒国绝，因家焉，以农桑为业。世祖勇任气，卒咸不揆于人。岁凶，横道伤杀，怨雠众多。会世扰乱，恐为怨雠所擒，祖父泛举家檐载，就安会稽，留钱唐县，以贾贩为事。生子二人，长曰蒙，少曰诵，诵即充父。祖世任气，至蒙、诵滋甚，故蒙、诵在钱唐，勇势凌人。末复与豪家丁伯等结怨，举家徙处上虞。 |
| Autobiography: |
Wang Chong is a native of Shang-yu-xian in Kuaiji. His style is Zhong Ren. His family hails from Yuan-cheng in the Wei circuit. One of his clan, Sun-yi, served his whole life as a soldier, and distinguished himself so much, that he was appointed warden of the southern part of Kuaiji, but, when one year a disturbance broke out, which disorganised the State, he continued to reside there, and became a farmer and cultivator of mulberry-trees. His great grand-father was very bold and violent, and, when in a passion, cared for nobody. In a year of dearth he behaved like a ruffian, and wounded and killed people. Those whom he had wronged, and who were waiting for an opportunity to wreak their vengeance, were very numerous. As in Kuaiji revolts were of constant occurrence, and there was danger that his enemies would seize upon him, the grand-father Fan removed his family and his household from Kuaiji, and settled in Qian-tang-xian, where he lived as a merchant. He had two sons, the elder was called Meng, the younger Song. Song is the father of Wang Chong. The grand-father had a violent temper, which in his sons, Meng and Song, became so intense, that many people in Qian-tang had to suffer from their vehemence. At last they became involved again in a feud with Ding Bo and other influential families, in consequence of which they emigrated with their families to Shang-yu. | |
| 2 | 自纪: | 建武三年，充生。为小儿，与侪伦遨戏，不好狎侮。侪伦好掩雀、捕蝉、戏钱、林熙，充独不肯。诵奇之。六岁教书，恭愿仁顺，礼敬具备，矜庄寂寥，有臣人之志。父未尝笞，母未尝非，闾里未尝让。八岁出于书馆，书馆小僮百人以上，皆以过失袒谪，或以书丑得鞭。充书日进，又无过失。手书既成，辞师受《论语》、《尚书》，日讽千字。经明德就，谢师而专门，援笔而众奇。所读文书，亦日博多。才高而不尚苟作，口辩而不好谈对，非其人，终日不言。其论说始若诡于众，极听其终，众乃是之。以笔著文，亦如此焉；操行事上，亦如此焉。在县位至掾功曹，在都尉府位亦掾功曹，在太守为列掾五官功曹行事，入州为从事。不好徼名于世，不为利害见将。常言人长，希言人短。专荐未达，解已进者过。及所不善，亦弗誉；有过不解，亦弗复陷。能释人之大过，亦悲夫人之细非。好自周，不肯自彰，勉以行操为基，耻以材能为名。众会乎坐，不问不言；赐见君将，不及不对。在乡里，慕蘧伯玉之节；在朝廷，贪史子鱼之行。见污伤，不肯自明；位不进，亦不怀恨。贫无一亩庇身，志佚于王公；贱无斗石之秩，意若食万锺。得官不欣，失位不恨。处逸乐而欲不放，居贫苦而志不倦。淫读古文，甘闻异言。世书俗说，多所不安，幽处独居，考论实虚。 |
| Autobiography: |
In the third year of Jian-wu, Wang Chong was born. When playing with his companions, he disliked all frivolous games. His comrades would entrap birds, catch cicadas, play for money, and gambol on stilts. Wang Chong alone declined to take part in their games to the great amazement of his father. At the age of six, he received his first instruction, and learned to behave with politeness, honesty, benevolence, obedience, propriety, and reverence. He was grave, earnest, and very quiet, and had the will of a great man. His father never flogged him, his mother never gave him a harsh word, and the neighbours never scolded him. When he was eight years old, he went to school. There were over one hundred small boys in this school. As a punishment for faults committed they used to be stripped, or were whipped for bad writing. Wang Chong made daily progress, and never committed any offence. When he could write sentences, his teacher explained to him the Analects and the Shujing, of which he daily read a thousand characters. When he knew the Classics, and his virtue had thus been developed, he left his teacher, and devoted his private studies to writing and composing so, that every one was astonished, and the extent of his reading widened day by day. But he did not make bad use of his talents, and though he possessed great dialectical skill, he was not fond of disputations. Unless he found the proper audience, he did not speak the whole day. His speech was quaint and not like that of others, but those who listened to him to the end, agreed with him. Such were also the productions of his pen, and so were his conduct, and his behaviour towards his superiors. In a district he rose to the rank of a secretary, and held the same office in the department of a military governor. In a prefecture he was one of the five chief secretaries, and in a department he was appointed assistant-magistrate. He did not strive for fame, and did not regulate his conduct in accordance with his personal profits. He always spoke of people's merits and seldom of their faults. Those who had not yet got on in their career, were specially recommended by him, and he exposed only the faults of those who had secured a position. When he thought anything wrong, he did not praise it, and when a fault was not done away with, he did not again condemn the man. He could pardon the great faults of a man, and also pitied his minor mistakes. His desire was to be unimpeachable himself, but he did not wish to shine. He endeavoured to base his claims on recognition upon his actions, and was ashamed to presume upon his talents. In public meetings he did not speak, unless he was asked, and in the presence of princes and generals he only replied, when he was addressed. In the country he attempted to follow the example of Qu Bo Yu, and in the court he wished to imitate Shi Zi Yu. When insulted, he did not white-wash himself, and, when in his career he was not promoted, he did not feel grieved. Although he was poor and had not an acre to dwell upon, his mind was freer than that of kings and dukes, and though he had no emoluments counted by pecks and piculs, he felt, as if he had ten thousand chung to live upon. Obtaining an appointment, he was not overjoyed, and losing it, he did not feel distressed. He enjoyed a tranquil happiness, but his desires did not run riot, and though he was living in a state of poverty, his energy was not broken. The study of ancient literature was his debauchery, and strange stories his relish. In the current books and common sayings he found much, in which he could not aquiesce. A recluse in his solitary retirement, he tried to find truth and falsehood. | |
| 3 | 自纪: | 充为人清重，游必择友，不好苟交。所友位虽微卑，年虽幼稚，行苟离俗，必与之友。好杰友雅徒，不泛结俗材。俗材因其微过，蜚条陷之，然终不自明，亦不非怨其人。或曰：“有良材奇文，无罪见陷，胡不自陈？羊胜之徒，摩口膏舌；邹阳自明，入狱复出。苟有全完之行，不宜为人所缺；既耐勉自伸，不宜为人所屈。”荅曰：不清不见尘，不高不见危，不广不见削，不盈不见亏。士兹多口，为人所陷，盖亦其宜。好进故自明，憎退故自陈。吾无好憎，故默无言。羊胜为谗，或使之也；邹阳得免，或拔之也。孔子称命，孟子言天，吉凶安危，不在于人。昔人见之，故归之于命，委之于时，浩然恬忽，无所怨尤。福至不谓己所得，祸到不谓己所为。故时进意不为丰，时退志不为亏。不嫌亏以求盈，不违险以趋平；不鬻智以干禄，不辞爵以吊名；不贪进以自明，不恶退以怨人。同安危而齐死生，钧吉凶而一败成，遭十羊胜，谓之无伤。动归于天，故不自明。 |
| Autobiography: |
Wang Chong had a pure and sterling character. He made friends wherever he went, but did not contract these friendships carelessly. The position of his friends might be ever so low, and in years they might be ever so young, provided only that they rose above common-place mediocrity, he would seek their friendship. He had a great admiration for superior men, and liked to associate with distinguished people, but would not lightly become intimate with men of common gifts. In case these latter slandered him for a slight fault or any insignificant mistake, he would not clear himself of these accusations, nor did he bear any grudge against them. Some one might ask, why a man of remarkable gifts and extraordinary literary talent should not defend himself against false incriminations. Yang Sheng and others were foul-mouthed and glibtongued; but Zou Yang vindicated himself and came out of jail again. When a man's conduct is perfect, people should not attempt to find flaws in it, and when somebody exerts himself to come to the front, they should not keep him down. I reply that none but the pure remark dust, and none but the exalted perceive dangers. Only those living in abundance, feel restraints, and those in opulence know what is want. The scholars at present talk too much of themselves, therefore they are slandered by others, which is their due. Desirous to get on, they show themselves, and resenting neglect, they assert themselves. Being free of these desires and resentments, I keep quiet. The slanders of Yang Sheng were probably prompted by somebody, and when Zou Yang was delivered, some one saved him. Confucius spoke of destiny and Mencius of heaven. Luck and mishap, quietude and danger do not depend on man. The ancients knew this, therefore they ascribed these things to destiny and attributed them to time. Placid, tranquil, and equanimous, they did not complain of injustice. When happiness came, they did not imagine that they themselves had brought it about, and when misfortune befell them, they did not consider it their own doing. When they were successful, their joy was not immoderate, and when they suffered reverses, their courage did not fail them. They did not hate need, and therefore crave for plenty, nor did they brave dangers to win peace. Their wisdom they did not sell for wages, and they did not decline honours to become famous. Not being bent on success, they did not try to show off, and not resenting reverses, they did not complain of others. Tranquillity and excitement were the same to them, life and death equal, luck and mishap identical, and victory and defeat one. Meeting even ten Yang Shengs, they would have said that it mattered not; they left everything to heaven, and therefore did not wish to shine. | |
| 4 | 自纪: | 充性恬澹，不贪富贵。为上所知，拔擢越次，不慕高官。不为上所知，贬黜抑屈，不恚下位。比为县吏，无所择避。或曰：“心难而行易，好友同志，仕不择地，浊操伤行，世何效放？”荅曰：可效放者，莫过孔子。孔子之仕，无所避矣。为乘田、委吏，无于邑之心；为司空相国，无说豫之色。舜耕历山，若终不免；及受尧禅，若卒自得。忧德之不丰，不患爵之不尊；耻名之不白，不恶位之不迁。垂棘与瓦同椟，明月与砾同囊，苟有二宝之质，不害为世所同。世能知善，虽贱犹显；不能别白，虽尊犹辱。处卑与尊齐操，位贱与贵比德，斯可矣。 |
| Autobiography: |
Wang Chong was of a cheerful and easy-going disposition, and did not strive for wealth and honour. When his superiors took notice of him, and promoted him above the heads of others, he did not cling to his high post, and, when they ignored, denounced, and degraded him, he did not pine at his low rank. When in the district magistrate's office, he had no ambition and no repugnance. Some one might object that to act like this is easy enough, but that the difficulty lies with the heart. Meeting with congenial friends, scholars do not care for the place, but whose example can they follow, when they have dirty and distasteful business to do? There is no better paragon than Confucius, I should say. Confucius as an official had no aversions. In charge of the public fields and as keeper of the granaries he was not low-spirited, and when he was superintendent of works and minister, his face was not beaming with joy. Shun tilled the land on the Li-shan, as though he should continue to do so for ever, and when he had received the empire from Yao, he behaved, as if he had obtained it later on as a matter of course. We must be sorry that our virtue is not quite perfect, but not regret our humble rank, and we may be abashed, if our name is not without blemish, but should not feel chagrined, because we do not advance in our career. Marble may be kept in the same box with tiles, and moon-stones in the same bag with pebbles. Being both of precious stuff, they are not injured by being mixed with other things in the world. For him who knows what is good, good things shine even in base places, whereas to those who cannot make these distinctions, they look common even in a prominent place. As long as the deeds of people in low and high spheres can be measured, and as the virtues of men in humble positions, and of noble rank can be compared, it is all right. | |
| 5 | 自纪: | 俗性贪进忽退，收成弃败。充升擢在位之时，众人蚁附；废退穷居，旧故叛去。志俗人之寡恩，故闲居作《讥俗节义》十二篇。冀俗人观书而自觉，故直露其文，集以俗言。或谴谓之浅。荅曰：以圣典而示小雅，以雅言而说丘野，不得所晓，无不逆者。故苏秦精说于赵，而李兑不说；商鞅以王说秦，而孝公不用。夫不得心意所欲，虽尽尧、舜之言，犹饮牛以酒，啖马以脯也。故鸿丽深懿之言，关于大而不通于小。不得已而强听，入胸者少。孔子失马于野，野人闭不与；子贡妙称而怒，马圄谐说而懿。俗晓露之言，勉以深鸿之文，犹和神仙之药以治齀咳，制貂狐之裘以取薪菜也。且礼有所不偫，事有所不须。断决知辜，不必皋陶；调和葵韭，不俟狄牙；闾巷之乐，不用《韶》、《武》；里母之祀，不待太牢。既有不须，而又不宜。牛刀割鸡，舒戟采葵，鈇钺裁箸，盆盎酌卮，大小失宜，善之者希。何以为辩？喻深以浅。何以为智？喻难以易。贤圣铨材之所宜，故文能为深浅之差。 |
| Autobiography: |
The world courts those who have been successful, and disdains those who have failed. It hails the victor, and spurns the defeated. As long as Wang Chong was rising, and holding rank and office, all the people swarmed around him like ants, but, when he had lost his position and was living in poverty, his former friends abandoned him. He pondered over the heartlessness of the world and in his leisure he wrote twelve chapters "Censures on Common Morals", hoping that the reading of these books would rouse the public conscience. For this purpose he expressly wrote it in an easy, popular style. Should anybody condemn it as shallow, I would reply that if the style of the Sacred Institutions be employed for the Lesser Odes, or if an elegant speech be addressed to rustics, they would not understand anything, and therefore not agree. Thus Su Qin spoke very elegantly in Zhao, but Li Tui was not enchanted at all. Shang Yang spoke in Qin, as if he had addressed an emperor, but Duke Xiao did not follow his advice. If no attention be paid to the individuality and inclinations of the hearers, one may exhaust the eloquence of Yao and Shun, it would be like giving an ox wine to drink and feeding a horse on preserved meat. A refined, rhetorical, and scientific style is fit for the upper classes of society, but out of place for small-minded people. It happens very seldom, that those who must hear something nolens volens, take it to heart. When Confucius had lost a horse in the country, the country-people locked it up, and did not return it. Zi Gong spoke to them in well turned sentences, but only made them angry, but when the groom addressed them in a familar, jocular tone, they relented. To use high-flown expressions at all costs instead of the plain and simple language of the people is like mixing an elixir, as the spirits use, to cure a cold or a cough, and to put on a fur-coat of sable or fox to fetch firewood or vegetables. As regards propriety, a thing is often out of place, and many an action is often better left undone. To give a decision, and understand a grievance, one must not be a Gao Yao, and to cook sunflower-seed and onions, no Yi Di or Yi Ya is required. In a side-alley one does not play the music of Shun and Wu, and to the Village Mother one does not sacrifice a whole ox. What is unnecessary, is also inadequate. To carve a fowl with a butcher's knife, to reap sun-flowers with a Shu spear, to cut chop-sticks with an iron halberd, and to pour a glassful into a basin or a tureen would be incongruous, and few would recommend it. What is the principle of debating? To illustrate deep thoughts by simple ones. And how do we prove that we possess knowledge? By illustrating difficult points by easy ones. Sages and worthies use to weigh, what suits the different talents. Hence the difference of style, which may be difficult or easy. | |
| 6 | 自纪: | 充既疾俗情，作《讥俗》之书；又闵人君之政，徒欲治人，不得其宜，不晓其务，愁精苦思，不睹所趋，故作《政务》之书。又伤伪书俗文多不实诚，故为《论衡》之书。夫贤圣殁而大义分，蹉跎殊趋，各自开门。通人观览，不能钉铨。遥闻传授，笔写耳取，在百岁之前。历日弥久，以为昔古之事，所言近是，信之入骨，不可自解，故作实论。其文盛，其辩争，浮华虚伪之语，莫不澄定。没华虚之文，存敦厖之朴；拨流失之风，反宓戏之俗。 |
| Autobiography: |
Since Wang Chong deplored the popular feeling, he wrote his Censures on Public Morals, and also lamenting the vain efforts of the emperor's government, which was endeavouring to govern the people, but could not find the right way, nor understand what was required, and mournful and disheartened did not see its course, he wrote the book on government. Furthermore disgusted with the many deceitful books and popular literature devoid of veracity and truthfulness, he composed the Disquisitions ( Lun-heng ). The worthies and sages are dead, and their great doctrine has split up. Many new roads have been struck out, on which many people have stumbled. Every one must have his own school. Intelligent men have seen this, but were unable to find the right way. Old traditions have been transmitted, either written down, or spread by hearsay. Since they were dating from over a hundred years backwards and growing older from day to day, people have regarded them as antique lore and therefore near the truth, and this belief became so rooted in their minds, that they themselves were incapable of eradicating it again. For this reason the Disquisitions have been written to show the truth. They are in a lively style and full of controversy. Every specious and futile argument has been tested, semblance and falsehood have been rejected, and only what is real and solid has been preserved. Loose manners have been suppressed, and the customs of Fu Xi's time revived. | |
| 7 | 自纪: | 充书形露易观。或曰：“口辩者其言深，笔敏者其文沉。案经艺之文、贤圣之言，鸿重优雅，难卒晓睹。世读之者，训古乃下。盖贤圣之材鸿，故其文语与俗不通。玉隐石间，珠匿鱼腹，非玉工珠师，莫能采得。宝物以隐闭不见，实语亦宜深沉难测。《讥俗》之书，欲悟俗人，故形露其指，为分别之文；《论衡》之书，何为复然？岂材有浅极，不能为覆？何文之察，与彼经艺殊轨辙也？”荅曰：玉隐石间，珠匿鱼腹，故为深覆。及玉色剖于石心，珠光出于鱼腹，其隐乎？犹吾文未集于简札之上，藏于胸臆之中，犹玉隐珠匿也。及出荴露，犹玉剖珠出乎！烂若天文之照，顺若地理之晓，嫌疑隐微，尽可名处。且名白，事自定也。《论衡》者、论之平也。口则务在明言，笔则务在露文。高士之文雅，言无不可晓，指无不可睹。观读之者，晓然若盲之开目，聆然若聋之通耳。三年盲子，卒见父母，不察察相识，安肯说喜？道畔巨树，堑边长沟，所居昭察，人莫不知。使树不巨而隐，沟不长而匿，以斯示人，尧、舜犹惑。人面色部七十有馀，颊股明洁，五色分别，隐微忧喜，皆可得察，占射之者，十不失一。使面黝而黑丑，垢重袭而覆部，占射之者，十而失九。夫文由语也，或浅露分别，或深迂优雅，孰为辩者？故口言以明志，言恐灭遗，故著之文字。文字与言同趋，何为犹当隐闭指意？狱当嫌辜，卿决疑事，浑沌难晓，与彼分明可知，孰为良吏？夫口论以分明为公，笔辩以荴露为通，吏文以昭察为良。深覆典雅，指意难覩，唯赋颂耳。经传之文，贤圣之语，古今言殊，四方谈异也。当言事时，非务难知，使指闭隐也。后人不晓，世相离远，此名曰语异，不名曰材鸿。浅文读之难晓，名曰不巧，不名曰知明。秦始皇读韩非之书，叹曰：“犹独不得此人同时。”其文可晓，故其事可思。如深鸿优雅，须师乃学，投之于地，何叹之有？夫笔著者，欲其易晓而难为，不贵难知而易造，口论务解分而可听，不务深迂而难睹。孟子相贤，以眸子明了者；察文，以义可晓。 |
| Autobiography: |
Wang Chong's writings are lucid and easy to understand. There are those who pretend that the words of a good debater must be profound, and the compositions of an able writer obscure. The style of the classic literature and the sayings of worthies and sages are grand and majestic, beautiful and refined, and difficult to grasp at first. Those who study their whole life, learn to understand them with the necessary explanations. The genius of the first thinkers being so wonderful, their expressions cannot be the same as those of ordinary people. Gems, they say, are concealed in stones, and pearls in fish-maws. Only jewel-lapidaries and pearl-experts can find them. These precious things cannot be seen, because they are hidden, and thus truisms must be profound and deep, and hard to grasp. The "Censures on Morals" are intended to rouse people, therefore the meaning is perspicuous and the style quite plain. But why must the Lung-heng be like this too? Is the talent of the author so shallow, that it was absolutely impossible to hide anything? Why is the style so perspicuous, and quite a different principle followed than in the classical literature? My reply is as follows. A gem is concealed in a stone and a pearl in a fish-maw, and therefore they are covered and in the dark. But, when the colour of the gem beams from the heart of the stone, and the lustre of the pearl breaks through the fish-maw, are they still hidden? They are like my thoughts, before they have been fixed in books. Enshrined in my bosom, they are like gems or pearls in their concealment, shining forth, brilliant as the splendour of the heavenly bodies, and clear as the distinct lines of the surface of the earth. Lest things should remain doubtful and obscure to us, we can describe them all by names, and, provided that the names are clear, all the things become defined. The Lun-heng discusses these questions impartially. In speaking, it is essential to use clear words, and in writing, to employ plain signs. The style of eminent scholars is refined, but their words can always be understood, and their meaning always be caught. Their readers are suddenly enlightened like blind men who recover their sight, or stirred up like deaf men who suddenly learn to hear. When a child who has been blind for three years, unexpectedly sees his parents, he would not, at once, know them on perceiving them, why then should he give utterance to his joy? Let a huge tree stand by the road-side, and a long ditch run along a bank, then the locality is well defined, and everybody knows it. Now, should the tree not be huge any more and disappear, and the ditch not be long and be hidden, and the place be shown to people, even Yao and Shun would be perplexed. The human features are divided into more than seventy different classes. The flesh of the cheeks being pure and white, the five colours can be clearly discerned, and the slightest sorrow, pleasure, and other emotions, all find expression in the features. A physiognomist will not once be mistaken in ten cases. But if the face be blackened and begrimed, or covered with a layer of dirt so, that the features are hidden, then physiognomists will give wrong answers nine times out of ten. The style is formed of words. It may be shallow, perspicuous, and distinct, or deep, abstruse, elegant, and polished. Who shall distinguish it? We speak to express our thoughts, and from fear, that our words might be lost, we commit them to writing. Writing having the same purpose as speaking, wherefore should it conceal the meaning? A judge must hate wrong. Now, would a magistrate, who while deciding a doubtful case gives a confuse and unintelligent verdict, be a better official than another, who clearly distinguishes every point, and can easily be understood? In oral discussions, one makes clear distinctions out of regards for the audience, and in written disputations one elucidates one's meaning to be understood. In historical works, a clear and intelligible style is most appreciated, and of profound productions, full of beautiful thoughts, but hard to read, there are only pieces of irregular verse and dithyrambs. As for the classical and semiclassical works and the words of the worthies and sages, the ancient and modern languages are different, and speech varies in the different parts of the empire. At the time, when these men spoke, they did not wish that their words should be difficult to understand, or that their meaning should be hidden. If later ages did not understand them, this is owing to the remoteness of time. Therefore one may speak of the difference of language, but not of genius or shallowness of style. If the reading offers great difficulties, the works may be considered as not very cleverly written, but this should not be reputed a great wisdom. Qin Shi Huangdi reading Han Fei Zi's work exclaimed with a sigh! "Alas! that I am alone, and have not got this man!" They were contemporaries, he could understand his words and reflect upon what he said. If the book had been so profound and exquisite, that he wanted a teacher to comprehend it, he would have flung it to the ground, and it was no use sighing. An author wishes his work to be intelligible, but difficult to write, and he does not care, if it be hard to grasp, but easy to write. In lectures one aims at perspicuity, that the hearers can follow, and does not affect obscurity and ambiguity to baffle the readers. Mencius knew an intelligent man by the sparkling of his eyes. One learns to know what a text is worth by its lucidity. | |
| 8 | 自纪: | 充书违诡于俗。或难曰：“文贵夫顺合众心，不违人意，百人读之莫谴，千人闻之莫怪。故管子曰：‘言室满室，言堂满堂。’今殆说不与世同，故文剌于俗，不合于众。”荅曰：论贵是而不务华，事尚然而不高合。论说辩然否，安得不谲常心、逆俗耳？众心非而不从，故丧黜其伪，而存定其真。如当从众、顺人心者，循旧守雅，讽习而已，何辩之有？孔子侍坐于鲁哀公，公赐桃与黍，孔子先食黍而啖桃，可谓得食序矣，然左右皆掩口而笑，贯俗之日久也。今吾实犹孔子之序食也，俗人违之，犹左右之掩口也。善雅歌，于郑为人悲；礼舞，于赵为不好。尧、舜之典，伍伯不肯观；孔、墨之籍，季、孟不肯读。宁危之计，黜于闾巷；拨世之言，訾于品俗。有美味于斯，俗人不嗜，狄牙甘食。有宝玉于是，俗人投之，卞和佩服。孰是孰非？可信者谁？礼俗相背，何世不然？鲁文逆祀，畔者五人。盖犹是之语，高士不舍，俗夫不好；惑众之书，贤者欣颂，愚者逃顿。 |
| Autobiography: |
The book of Wang Chong is of another type than the usual writings. The following objection might be raised against it:--- In literature it is of importance to conform to the public feeling, and not to be in opposition to received ideas. Then not one out of a hundred readers will find anything to blame, and not one out of a thousand hearers will take exception. Therefore Kuan Tse said that, where somebody is speaking in a house, the audience must fill the whole house, and, when he speaks in a hall, the entire hall should be full. Now Wang Chong's arguments are not in accordance with public opinion. Consequently his words controvert all common ideas, and do not tally with the general views. I reply that in arguing, the essential thing is truth, not elegance, that the facts should at all events be correct, and that consensus is not the highest aim. Investigating a question, one discusses the pros and cons, how would it be possible not to deviate from old ideas and perhaps offend the ears of the common hearer? When the general feeling is wrong, it cannot be followed. One denounces and discards that which is false, and keeps and establishes that which is true. If we were to go by majority, and conform to the public feeling, we could only follow the good old rules and precedents, and recite them over and over again, but how could there be any discussion? When Confucius was attending the court and sitting next to Duke Ai of Lu, the duke favoured him with a peach and millet. Confucius first ate the millet and then the peach. This, we must admit, was the right order of eating the two courses. The courtiers, however, all covered their mouth and laughed. They had, for a long time, been used to another custom. Now I, in fact, resemble Confucius eating the two dishes in the order described above. Ordinary people take exception like the courtiers laughing in their sleeves. Beautiful festive songs were considered as too melancholic, in Cheng and pantomimes, at great celebrations, found no favour in Zhao. The five Leading Princes declined to cast a look upon the Canons of Yao and Shun, and Ji and Meng would not read the works of Confucius and Mo Di. Plans for securing the peace in times of danger are scoffed at in side-alleys, and schemes of reform ridiculed by common people. If there were an exquisite dish, vulgar people would not taste it, though Yi Ti and Yi Ya might eat it with the greatest relish, and if there were a precious jade-stone, ordinary people would throw it away, whereas Pien Ho would hoard it up as a treasure. Who would be right, who wrong, and who could be trusted? Propriety and common usage are always in opposition, when has it not been so? When Duke Wen of Lu infringed the rule of sacrifices, five men resisted him. Great scholars will never give up researches of the above mentioned kind, and common people will always dislike them. And so will the savants enjoy and appreciate books, which bewilder the masses, and which the narrow-minded will flee. | |
| 9 | 自纪: | 充书不能纯美。或曰：“口无择言，笔无择文。文必丽以好，言必辩以巧。言了于耳，则事味于心；文察于目，则篇留于手。故辩言无不听，丽文无不写。今新书既在论譬，说俗为戾，又不美好，于观不快。盖师旷调音，曲无不悲；狄牙和膳，肴无澹味。然则通人造书，文无瑕秽。《吕氏》、《淮南》，悬于市门，观读之者，无訾一言。今无二书之美，文虽众盛，犹多谴毁。”荅曰：夫养实者不育华，调行者不饰辞。丰草多华英，茂林多枯枝。为文欲显白其为，安能令文而无谴毁？救火拯溺，义不得好；辩论是非，言不得巧。入泽随龟，不暇调足；深渊捕蛟，不暇定手。言奸辞简，指趋妙远；语甘文峭，务意浅小。稻谷千锺，糠皮太半；阅钱满亿，穿决出万。大羹必有澹味，至宝必有瑕秽，大简必有大好，良工必有不巧。然则辩言必有所屈，通文犹有所黜。言金由贵家起，文粪自贱室出。《淮南》、《吕氏》之无累害，所由出者，家富官贵也。夫贵、故得悬于市，富、故有千金副。观读之者，惶恐畏忌，虽见乖不合，焉敢谴一字？ |
| Autobiography: |
Wang Chong's book cannot be free from imperfection. Some say that in speaking he does not choose the words, nor in writing, the phrases. Compositions must be tastefully written, and discussions ingeniously conducted. When such words strike the ear, they cause a pleasant feeling in the heart, and when the eye falls on writing, the hand does not lay the book aside again. Such disputations are always listened to, and excellent compositions always appreciated. Now, since this new book chiefly consists of comparisons and strictures on the depravity of the age, and does not praise what is good, it does not please the reader. The tunes played by the music-master Kuang were always full of feeling, and the delicacies prepared by Yi Di and Yi Ya were never tasteless. When a clever man writes a book, it is without a flaw. Lu Shi and Huai Nan made an advertisement on the market gates, and the readers did not find fault with one word in their books. Now the Lun-heng does not possess the beauties of these two books. It is long enough, but open to objections in many respects. In reply I beg to state that he who cherishes veracity does not trouble much about beauty, and that regulating the conduct, he does not polish his words. Luxuriant grass has often abundance of blossoms, and mighty forests have many dry branches. The purport of words is to clearly show the nature of things, how can they be polished and above all censure? Saving a man from fire or out of water, we do not care, whether we do it in a beautiful style or not, and, when we debate on a question, our words must not necessarily be ingenious. Plunging into a lake to seize turtles, we have no time to think, whether we place our feet right, and catching dragons in deep water, we have no time to care for the position of our hands. In spite of bad style and faulty terms the meaning may be excellent and far reaching sometimes, and sweet words and beautiful expressions give often a very poor sense. When a thousand chung of grain are cleansed, more than half are husks, and examining a hundred thousand cash, one finds that the broken coins exceed ten thousand. Fine soups are often insipid, and the best jewels have their flaws. A slip-shod production may possess great beauties, and a great artist do very second-rate work. Every discussion has its weak points, and in the ablest production some deficiencies can be detected. Golden words come from noble houses, and foul productions from poor families, they think.--- Huai Nan Tse and Lu Shi did not encounter any difficulties, because they were descendants of rich houses and of high rank. Since they were noble, they could well advertise on the market place, and being so wealthy, they could easily make the alternate promise of a thousand chin. Their readers were intimidated and in awe, and would never have ventured to criticise one character, even if it had been quite out of place. | |
| 10 | 自纪: | 充书既成，或稽合于古，不类前人。或曰：“谓之饰文偶辞，或径或迂，或屈或舒。谓之论道，实事委璅，文给甘酸，谐于经不验，集于传不合，稽之子长不当，内之子云不入。文不与前相似，安得名佳好、称工巧？”荅曰：饰貌以强类者失形，调辞以务似者失情。百夫之子，不同父母，殊类而生，不必相似，各以所禀，自为佳好。文必有与合然后称善，是则代匠斫不伤手，然后称工巧也。文士之务，各有所从，或调辞以巧文，或辩伪以实事。必谋虑有合，文辞相袭，是则五帝不异事，三王不殊业也。美色不同面，皆佳于目；悲音不共声，皆快于耳。酒醴异气，饮之皆醉；百谷殊味，食之皆饱。谓文当与前合，是谓舜眉当复八采，禹目当复重瞳。 |
| Autobiography: |
When Wang Chong's book was completed, it was compared by some with the works of the ancients, and found to be quite different from the writings of previous authors. Some hold that the book may be said to be written partly in a slovenly style. Sometimes it is terse, at others diffuse, sometimes concise, sometimes prolix. When a problem is being discussed or a question investigated, the author is too summary or too loquacious, half sweet, half sour. The Classics he does not resemble, with the semi-classics he does not agree, nor does he harmonize with either Yang Cheng Tse Chang or Yang Tse Yun. Since he is unlike the ancient authors, how can he be considered a good writer, or his book be reputed an able production? I answer that, if anybody puts on an alien appearance forcibly to be like somebody else, his own shape is lost, and if he changes his style to resemble others, he loses his peculiar character. The sons of a hundred persons have not the same parents. Being all born in different families, they cannot be similar. Each one distinguishes himself by his peculiar gifts. If writings could only then be considered good, when they are conform to a certain standard, 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. All literary men have their own specialties. The one polishes his phrases to produce an elegant composition, the other combats all errors to establish the truth. Their ultimate aims are the same, and the words follow of themselves. Thus the deeds of the Five Emperors were not different, and there was no conflict between the actions of the Three Rulers. Beautiful looks are not the same, but their aspect is always pleasing to the eye: sentimental airs are not identical, but their music is always gratifying to the ear. Wines have different flavours, but they all inebriate, the tastes of various cereals vary, but they all appease our hunger. If conformity to old standard be required of a literary production, then we would be entitled to expect that Shun also should have eye-brows with eight colours and Yu eyes with double pupils. | |
| 11 | 自纪: | 充书文重。或曰：“文贵约而指通，言尚省而趍明。辩士之言要而达，文人之辞寡而章。今所作新书，出万言，繁不省，则读者不能尽；篇非一，则传者不能领。被躁人之名，以多为不善。语约易言，文重难得。玉少石多，多者不为珍；龙少鱼众，少者固为神。”荅曰：有是言也。盖寡言无多；而华文无寡。为世用者，百篇无害；不为用者，一章无补。如皆为用，则多者为上，少者为下。累积千金，比于一百，孰为富者？盖文多胜寡，财寡愈贫。世无一卷，吾有百篇；人无一字，吾有万言，孰者为贤？今不曰所言非，而云泰多；不曰世不好善，而云不能领，斯盖吾书所以不得省也。夫宅舍多，土地不得小；户口众，簿籍不得少。今失实之事多，华虚之语众，指实定宜，辩争之言，安得约径？韩非之书，一条无异，篇以十第，文以万数。夫形大，衣不得褊；事众，文不得褊。事众文饶，水大鱼多。帝都谷多，王市肩磨。书虽文重，所论百种。按古太公望，近董仲舒，传作书篇百有馀，吾书亦才出百，而云泰多，盖谓所以出者微，观读之者不能不谴呵也。河水沛沛，比夫众川，孰者为大？虫蠒重厚，称其出丝，孰为多者？ |
| Autobiography: |
Wang Chong's book is very voluminous. Some say that in writing the chief thing is to be brief and clear, and that in speaking one must be short and plain. The words of a good debater are succinct, but to the point, the style of a good writer is concise, but perspicuous. Now Wang Chong's new work contains more than ten thousand sentences. For a reader it is impossible to work through such an enormous mass, and there are so many chapters, that they cannot all be transmitted. The author of so much bad stuff may well be called a fool. Short sentences are easy to enunciate, whereas a bulky work presents great difficulties. Gems are few, stones many; that which occurs in great number, is not precious. Dragons are rare, fish numerous; that which is of rare occurence, is justly deemed divine. I admit that there is such a saying. Concise language is not long, but beautiful language must not be concise. If they are useful to the world, a hundred chapters do no harm, while one paragraph, if useless, may be superfluous. If there are several things, all useful, the longer rank before the shorter. Who is richer, he who has piled up a thousand chin, or he who possesses a hundred? Longer works are preferable to shorter ones, and a small amount of wealth is better than poverty. Most people have not a single book, I possess a hundred chapters: others have not one character, I have more than ten thousand sentences. Who is the cleverer? Now they do not say that my words are wrong, but that they are too many; they do not say that the world does not like good things, but that it cannot take them all in. The reason why my book cannot be so concise is that for building many houses a small ground would not be sufficient, and that for the registration of a large populace few registers would be inadequate. At present, the errors are so many, that the words necessary to point out the truth, show what is right, and controvert what is false, cannot well be brief and succinct. Han Fei Zi's work is like the branch of a tree. The chapters are joined together by tens, and the sentences count by ten thousands. For a large body the dress cannot be narrow, and if there be many subjects, the text must not be too summary. A great variety of subjects requires abundance of words. In a large extent of water, there are many fish, in an emperor's capital, there is plenty of grain, and on the market of a metropolis, there is a throng of people. My book may be voluminous, but the subjects treated are manifold. Tai Gong Wang in ancient times and recently Dong Zhong Shu produced books containing more than a hundred chapters. My book also contains more than a hundred chapters. Those who contend that they are too many, only mean to say that the author is of low origin, and that the readers cannot but take exception to it. When we compare a river, whose waters overflow the banks, with others, which is the biggest? And, when the cocoons of a certain species of worms are especially heavy and big, which worms yield most silk? | |
| 12 | 自纪: | 充仕数不耦，而徒著书自纪。或亏曰：“所贵鸿材者，仕宦耦合，身容说纳，事得功立，故为高也。今吾子涉世落魄，仕数黜斥，材未练于事，力未尽于职，故徒幽思属文，著记美言，何补于身？众多欲以何趍乎？”荅曰：材鸿莫过孔子。孔子才不容，斥逐，伐树，接浙，见围，削迹，困饿陈、蔡，门徒菜色。今吾材不逮孔子，不偶之厄，未与之等，偏可轻乎？且达者未必知，穷者未必愚。遇者则得，不遇失之。故夫命厚禄善，庸人尊显；命薄禄恶，奇俊落魄。必以偶合称材量德，则夫专城食土者，材贤孔、墨。身贵而名贱，则居洁而行墨，食千锺之禄，无一长之德，乃可戏也。若夫德高而名白，官卑而禄泊，非才能之过，未足以为累也。士愿与宪共庐，不慕与赐同衡；乐与夷俱旅，不贪与跖比迹。高士所贵，不与俗均，故其名称不与世同。身与草木俱朽，声与日月并彰，行与孔子比穷，文与杨雄为双，吾荣之。身通而知困，官大而德细，于彼为荣，于我为累。偶合容说，身尊体佚，百载之后，与物俱殁，名不流于一嗣，文不遗于一札，官虽倾仓，文德不丰，非吾所臧。德汪濊而渊懿，知滂沛而盈溢，笔泷漉而雨集，言溶㵠而泉出，富材羡知，贵行尊志，体列于一世，名传于千载，乃吾所谓异也。 |
| Autobiography: |
Wang Chong was not lucky in his official career, and only wrote books and this autobiography. Some one might find fault with him, arguing thus: "The important thing is always that a man of great talent should make a good career. When he finds employment, and his words are listened to, he can distinguish himself by his work, and thus rise to high honour. Now, you are living in misery, and your career has been spoiled. You had no opportunity of trying your talents in practice, or using your strength in the fulfilment of official duties. Therefore you only committed your speculations to writing and made your notes. What use are your beautiful words to yourself, and what aim are you pursuing with your extensive writings?" Nobody was ever more talented than Confucius, and yet his talents were not appreciated. He was expelled, and a tree felled over him. He had to hasten the washing of his rice and was surrounded. His traces were obliterated, he was tormented by hunger between Chen and Tsai, and his disciples looked starved. Now, my talents do not come near those of Confucius, but my hardships do not equal his. Am I to be despised therefore? Besides the successful are not always clever, or the distressed, simpletons. The lucky win, and the unlucky lose. With a liberal fate and good fortune, even a vulgar person becomes noble and genteel, with a niggardly fate and bad fortune, the most remarkable man remains wretched and miserable. If talents and virtue were to be measured by success, then the great lords invested with the domain of a town, and living on the soil, would all be wise men. Confucius and Mo Di were noble of themselves, but their rank was low. If, therefore, people are living in pure spheres, but do black deeds, or if they have a yearly income of a thousand chung to live upon, but not a single accomplishment, we can only smile. Provided that our virtue be high and our name untarnished, then our office may be low and our income meagre, it is not the fault of our talents, and we should not feel oppressed by it. Scholars would like to share the hut with Xian, but not to be put on a level with Tse, they would gladly wander about with Bo Yi, but decline to associate with robber Zhi. Great scholars have other ambitions than their people. Therefore their fame is not that of the world. Their bodies decay like grass and trees, but their glory shines as long as the sun and the moon send their rays. Their condition may be as poor as that of Confucius, provided only that their writings rank with those of Yang Hsiung. That is my ideal. Outward success, but a limited knowledge, a high post, but little virtue that is the ambition of others, I would consider it a bondage. If somebody has the luck to be heard with his advice, and lives in honour and well being, all this is gone after a hundred years like other things. His name does not come down to the next generation, and not a word from his hand is left in any document. He has had stores full of emoluments perhaps, in the realms of literature and virtue he leaves no riches. That is not what I prize. Vast virtue of the highest excellence, abundance of extensive knowledge, a pencil dripping with characters like rain, and an overflowing spring of words, rich talents, a wonderful erudition, generous deeds, and a noble mind, with such qualities a man's body may belong to one generation, his name will be transmitted for a thousand years. That seems extraordinary and desirable to me. | |
| 13 | 自纪: | 充细族孤门。或啁之曰：“宗祖无淑懿之基，文墨无篇籍之遗，虽著鸿丽之论，无所禀阶，终不为高。夫气无渐而卒至曰变，物无类而妄生曰异，不常有而忽见曰妖，诡于众而突出曰怪。吾子何祖？其先不载。况未尝履墨涂，出儒门，吐论数千万言，宜为妖变，安得宝斯文而多贤？”荅曰：鸟无世凤皇，兽无种麒麟，人无祖圣贤，物无常嘉珍。才高见屈，遭时而然。士贵故孤兴，物贵故独产。文孰常在有以放贤，是则澧泉有故源，而嘉禾有旧根也。屈奇之士见，倜傥之辞生，度不与俗协，庸角不能程。是故罕发之迹，记于牒籍；希出之物，勒于鼎铭。五帝不一世而起，伊、望不同家而出。千里殊迹，百载异发。士贵雅材而慎兴，不因高据以显达。母骊犊騂，无害牺牲；祖浊裔清，不榜奇人。鲧恶禹圣，叟顽舜神。伯牛寝疾，仲弓洁全。颜路庸固，回杰超伦。孔、墨祖愚，丘、翟圣贤。杨家不通，卓有子云；桓氏稽可，遹出君山。更禀于元，故能著文。 |
| Autobiography: |
Wang Chong is from a simple family, in which he stands quite alone. A caviller might say:--- "Your ancestors have not left you a treasure of pure virtue, nor a collection of literary works. You may yourself write the most brilliant essays, you have no basis to stand upon, and therefore no claim to our admiration." "When a force bursts upon us quite suddenly, not by degrees, we call it a phenomenon. When a creature is born from quite dissimilar parents, we call it a wonder. When something quite unusual appears all at once, it is regarded as a supernatural appearance, and when something different from anything else quite abruptly comes forth, it is termed a miracle." "Who are your ancestors? Their names have not been recorded in former times. You did not spring from a learned family, whose members have already walked the path of literature, and you write disquisitions of several thousand or ten thousand sentences. This must be considered a supernatural phenomenon. How could we appreciate such writings, or think them able productions?" I beg to reply that a bird without a pedigree is a phoenix, an animal without a family, a unicorn, a man without an ancestry, a sage, and a thing without a peer, a jewel. And so it is with men of great talents, who are browbeaten and viewed with disfavour by their age. Scholars of worth appear single, and precious things grow solitary. How could literature be inherited? If a man could learn to become a sage, then the water of the Feng river would have a source, and auspicious grain an old stem. When a remarkable scholar appears and puts forward his noble doctrines, he does not fall under the general rule, and his capacity cannot be measured by the bushel. Therefore events which seldom happen are recorded on tablets and books, and rare things engraved on bronze vases. The Five Emperors did not rise in one generation, and Yi Yin and Tai Kung Wang did not issue from one family. There was a distance of thousand Li between them, and one lived several hundred years after the other. When scholars of note quietly develop their marvellous faculties, they do not become famous as descendants of noble lines. The calf of a black cow may be brown, this does not affect the nature of the animal. The ancestors of a scholar may be coarse, provided that he himself is pure, it has no influence upon his character. Kun was wicked, and Yu a sage, Sou was perverse, and Shun divine. Po Niu was visited with a horrible disease, and Chung Kung was clean and strong. Yan Lu was vulgar and mean, and Yen Hui outvied all his companions. Confucius and Mo Di had stupid ancestors, and they themselves were sages. The Yang family had not been successful, when Yang Zi Yun rose like a star, and the house of Huan had been tolerably well off, until Huan Chun Shan took his brilliant flight. A man must have been imbued with more than the ordinary dose of the original fluid to become an able writer. | |
| 14 | 自纪: | 充以元和三年徙家辟，诣杨州部丹阳、九江、庐江。后入为治中，材小任大，职在剌割，笔札之思，历年寝废。章和二年，罢州家居。年渐七十，时可悬舆。仕路隔绝，志穷无如。事有否然，身有利害。发白齿落，日月逾迈，俦伦弥索，鲜所恃赖。贫无供养，志不娱快。历数冉冉，庚辛域际，虽惧终徂，愚犹沛沛，乃作《养性》之书凡十六篇。养气自守，适食则酒，闭明塞聪，爱精自保，适辅服药引导，庶冀性命可延，斯须不老。既晚无还，垂书示后。惟人性命，长短有期，人亦虫物，生死一时。年历但记，孰使留之？犹入黄泉，消为土灰。上自黄、唐，下臻秦、汉而来，折衷以圣道，㭊理于通材，如衡之平，如鉴之开，幼老生死古今，罔不详该。命以不延，吁叹悲哉！ |
| Autobiography: |
In the third year of Yuan-he, Wang Chong emigrated to Dan-yang, Jiu-jiang, and Lu-jiang in the province of Yang-zhou, and was appointed sub-prefect. His abilities were small, and his office was important. His chief duties were in connection with official correspondence. All plans of writing anything he had given up for many years. In the second year of Zhang-he, his business in the province ceased. He lived at home, and gradually advanced in age, till he reached about seventy years. Then he gave up his official carriage, and his official career was definitely closed. He could not help it. He had many annoyances, and his body felt the infirmities of age. His hair grew white, his teeth fell out, he became older from day to day, and his comrades dispersed. He had nothing to rely upon, was too poor to nurse himself, and had no joy left. But time went slowly on, the keng and hsing years came to an end, but though he was afraid that his death was near at hand, he was still full of silly ideas. Then he wrote a book on Macrobiotics in sixteen chapters. To keep himself alive, he cherished the vital fluid. As a stimulant for the appetite he used wine. Closing eyes and ears against external influences, he spared his energy as a means of self-protection. Using medicines he kept up his forces, and by following this method he hoped to prolong his days. For a while he did not age, but when it. was too late, there was no return. This book was left as a guide to posterity. But the duration of human life is limited. Men like animals live for a while and die. We can only remember the years gone by, who can order them to stand still? We must go down to the yellow sources, and become earth and ashes. From Huang Di and Tang down to the Qin and Han many have been guided by the holy doctrine and have found the truth by their genius, just like a scales and bright like a mirror, yet young and old they have lived and died, of old and now all have been included. Life cannot be prolonged, alas! |
URN: ctp:lunheng/zi-ji