9月28日

治家格言
唐 韓愈 ( 768~824 )

大丈夫成家容易，士君子立志不難；
退一步自然優雅，讓三分何等清閒。
忍幾句無憂自在，耐一時快樂逍遙；
喫菜根淡中有味，守王法夢裡無驚。
有人問我塵世事，擺手搖頭說不知；
寧可採山中之茶，莫去飲花街之酒。
須就近有道之士，早謝卻無情之友；
貧莫愁兮富莫誇，那見貧長富久家。

──選自《韓昌黎先生集》

September 28

An Aphorism on Family
Han Yu (768 - 824, Tang Dynasty)
English translation: Miao Guang

Establishing a family is an easy task to a man of character;
Setting goals is not difficult to a superior man.
A step of concession is a natural move of elegance;
Making small compromises allows some ease.
Moments of tolerance make one trouble-free;
Seconds of endurance bring happiness and repose.
Bland vegetables have a taste of their own;
To be law-abiding, no dreams will be frightening.
When someone inquires about mundane affairs,
I would shake my head and play ignorant.
I would rather go pick tea leaves in the mountains
Than to drink wine in brothels.
I see it as a must to be close to learned people,
Long have I already refused pitiless friends.
Do not worry about poverty or boast about wealth,
When has either poverty or wealth ever lasted long?

── from Han Changli Xiansheng Ji (Collection of Works by Sir Han Changli)