Shishuoxinyu is a notebook novel produced during the Song Dynasty (420-581) in the Southern Dynasty of China, which mainly records anecdotes about the conversations of people in the Wei and Jin Dynasties. It was written by Liu Yiqing, King of Linchuan, a royal family member of the Liu Song Dynasty in the Southern Dynasty. The original eight volumes of the book were divided into ten volumes in Liu Jun's annotated version, and the current version is divided into three volumes.
1. When it is small, it may not be better when it is big.
From "Shishuoxinyu·Yu". Translation: I was very smart when I was young, but I may not be able to excel when I grow up.
2. If there is excess damage, make up for the deficiency, this is the way of heaven.
From "Shishuoxinyu·De Xing". It is the law of nature to rob the rich and give to the poor.
3. Although Chu Jiye said nothing, he was also prepared for the four seasons.
From "Shishuoxinyu·De Xing". Translation: Although Chu Jiye didn't say it with his mouth, he knew right and wrong in his heart, just like the weather throughout the year, everything was there.
4. They are born from the same roots, so there is no need to rush into conflict.
From Liu Yiqing's "Shishuoxinyu·Literature". Translation: Beans and beans are grown from the same root, but beans must be boiled with beans. Why should such cooking be done in a hurry? It is a metaphor for flesh and blood brothers, don't push each other too hard.
5. The ancients were ashamed of being a snobbish friend.
From Liu Yiqing's "Shishuo Xinyu Angry" by Liu Yiqing in the Southern Song Dynasty. Translation: Making friends based on power and interests is something that the ancients were ashamed of. It is intended to emphasize that friendship should be based on feelings and consistency of ambition and interest, and should not be utilitarian. Otherwise, it will blaspheme the true meaning of friendship.
6. Empty talk is a waste of work, and superficial words hinder important matters.
From Liu Yiqing's "Shishuoxinyu·Yu". Translation empty talk: empty talk. Floating: flashy. Important: state affairs. Empty talk will waste government affairs, and flashy and impractical articles will hinder national affairs.
7. It is common for scholars to be poor, so how can they climb a branch and donate their roots!
From "Shishuoxinyu·De Xing". Translation Poverty is the duty of a scholar. How can you lose the fundamentals of being a human being when you become an official!
8. Empty talk is a waste of work, and superficial articles hinder important matters.
From "Shishuoxinyu·Yu". Empty talk will waste government affairs, and flashy and unrealistic articles will hinder national affairs.
9. Sir, have you ever seen that there are still intact eggs under the overturned nest?
From "Shishuoxinyu·Yu". 译文Have you ever seen a complete egg under an overturned bird’s nest?
10. I heard that my husband should wear gold and purple when he is in the world. How can he bend the torrent and be a silk woman?
From "Shishuoxinyu·Yu". Translation: I heard that when a man is in the world, he should wear a gold seal and a purple ribbon. How can anyone wrong his talents and do the work of a silkworm woman?
11. Thanks to the Duke’s wife for teaching his children, he asked the Taifu: “How come I haven’t seen you teach my children for the first time?” The answer was: “I often teach my children by myself.”
From "The World" "Shuo Xinyu·Virtue". Translation: When Xie An's wife was teaching her son, she asked the Taifu Xie An: "Why have I never seen you teach your son?" Xie An replied: "I often teach my son with my own words and deeds."
12. The ruler can judge the measure of the scale, and the inch tube can measure the reciprocating energy. Why bother to be big, but ask how to know.
From "Shishuoxinyu·Yu". Translation: A foot-long watch ruler can determine the degree of the armillary sphere, and an inch-long bamboo tube can measure the pitch of music. Why should the eyes care about how big they are? Just ask them how they see.