Friday, 12 May 2023

lnhammer: the Chinese character for poetry, red on white background (Default)
83.
Learn while you are young,
Advance when you are grown—
Devote yourself to the ruler
And benefit the subjects—

幼而学
壮而行
上致君
下泽民

84.
Raise your reputation
And glorify your parents—
Shed light on ancestors,
Enrich posterity.

扬名声
显父母
光于前
裕于后

85.
Some men bequeath to children
Overflowing gold.
I am teaching children
Only this one Classic.

人遗子
金满嬴
我教子
惟一经

86.
Diligence has payoffs
While playing has no profit.
I give this warning, oh!
Strive with all your might.

勤有功
戏无益
戒之哉
宜勉力


... and that's that.

About

Warning: contents contain line-breaks.

As language practice, I like to translate poetry. My current project is Chinese, with practice focused on Tang Dynasty poetry. Previously this was classical Japanese, most recently working through the Kokinshu anthology (archived here). Suggestions, corrections, and questions always welcome.

There's also original pomes in the journal archives.

April 2025

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