Since you are born as a human being, don’t say what tomorrow will be like.

If you see someone happy, don’t say how long it will be.

Because even then A long-winged dragonfly that flies away in an instant can't compare to the vagaries of life.

(Translated by Shui Jianfu)

Appreciation

This poem by Simonides is very economical and can be described as Cherish ink like gold. The first two lines are a conclusion drawn by the poet: Life is unpredictable and unpredictable; even if you have current happiness, it may not last long. The last two lines are the poet's emotion about the impermanence of life, and they are also the explanation for the above conclusion. The poet made a very vivid comparison here, using a dragonfly with long wings that flew away without a trace in an instant to set off the vagaries of life. The language of this poem is simple and the tone is solemn. "The impermanence of life" is a sentimental topic, but the author did not reveal any decadent or depressed mood between the lines. The poet seemed to just calmly speak a universal truth, seemingly calm, but this conciseness His words contain shocking power.

The theme of "the impermanence of life" is not exclusive to Simonides. In ancient China at almost the same time, Lao Tzu also said the wise saying "Misfortune lies where blessings depend, and blessing lies where misfortune lies." Although Lao Tzu emphasizes that there are no absolute blessings and disasters in this world, the two can transform into each other under certain conditions. However, looking at it from another perspective, doesn’t Lao Tzu’s sentence also reflect the unpredictability of worldly affairs and the impermanence of life?

"The impermanence of life" is also a common theme in Chinese and foreign poetry works since ancient times. For example, in the "Nineteen Ancient Poems" of the Han Dynasty, "Life is not like gold and stone, how can you live a long life?", "Life is like a lifetime, and death is like floating dust", "Life is like a gift, life is not solid like gold and stone", etc., all express the poet's feelings. The sadness of life being short and impermanent. In addition, Cao Cao in the Wei and Jin Dynasties wrote "Singing to wine, how much is life? Like the morning dew, the past day will be more bitter", Bai Juyi in the Tang Dynasty wrote "Life has endless changes, I used to be a court official and now I am a wild man", Cui Hu's "Last year and today I am here" "In the door, the human face and the peach blossoms reflect each other's red color. The human face does not know where to go, but the peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze" and so on, which also express the poet's helplessness and emotion about the changing world and the impermanence of life.

"Today, this flower is still full of smiles, / tomorrow it will wither and die." Therefore, the British poet Herrick gave advice to the girls: "Don't be shy, grab Seize every opportunity, / Marry while you are young. "" In this world, we are all inevitably withered, / The brass-colored fallen leaves quietly fall from the maple trees..." Russia's Yesenin quietly endured the passing of his youth in helplessness. no more.

"The sky is unpredictable, and people are unpredictable." Life is unpredictable, and no one knows what will happen tomorrow. Therefore, the Bible warns people: "Don't worry about tomorrow." Longfellow of the United States also said it well: "Don't rely on the future, no matter how lovely it is! / Bury the past forever! / Take action - - Take advantage of the living present!" Regarding the fact that life is short and impermanent, people have different opinions and wisdom. Unlike other poems that are straightforward, this poem by Simonides leaves readers with a lot of room for thinking.

(Yang Li)