Although I am old now and have not achieved much, I am fortunate enough to be in the ranks of gentlemen, receiving the emperor's favor and glory, and following After serving as a minister, I accompany the emperor every day and listen to inquiries. Even the world cannot praise my own name inappropriately, let alone someone who can surpass me?
Today’s students study in Taixue. The court provides meals every day, and their parents give them winter leather clothes and summer ge clothes every year. They no longer have to worry about being cold or hungry; they sit under the building and read scriptures. , there is no more toil of running around; there are businessmen and doctors as their teachers, no more asking without telling, asking for advice without getting anything; all the books that should be available are concentrated here, and there is no need to copy them by hand like me. , I borrowed it from someone else and then I saw it. If some of them are not proficient in their studies, if their moral character is not developed, if they are not talented or have low qualifications, or if their intentions are not as dedicated as mine, can it be said that it is someone else's fault?
Original text:
Preface to Ma Sheng in Dongyang
Ming Dynasty: Song Lian
I was fond of learning when I was young. The family was poor and had no way to read the books, so every time they borrowed them from a book collector, they would write them down by hand and count the days to return them. The weather is extremely cold, the inkstone is hard, and the fingers cannot be flexed or extended, so do not be lazy. After recording, I went to see him off, not daring to exceed the appointment. Therefore, many people spend their spare time reading books, and I have to read all kinds of books. Not only was he crowned with admiration for the teachings of sages, but he also worried that there were no masters, famous people, and travelers, so he tried to travel hundreds of miles away to study the scriptures and ask questions from the pioneers in his hometown. The first Dade Long Wangzun, whose disciples filled his room, did not even lose his words. Yu Li waited on the left and right, leaning over to ask questions and ask questions; or when he was yelling at someone, he would become more respectful and courteous, not daring to say a word; when he was pleased, he would ask again. Therefore, although I am stupid, I have learned something.
When I was a disciple, I carried my luggage and dragged my clothes on my back, walking in the deep mountains and huge valleys. There was strong wind in the cold winter, heavy snow several feet deep, and my skin was chapped but I didn’t know it. At the end of the house, the four limbs are stiff and unable to move. The nun holds the soup and fertilizes it, and covers it with a quilt. After a long time, it becomes harmonious. Living in the opposite direction, the host eats again and again every day, and does not enjoy the taste of fresh fat. All the students in the same room were embroidered with silk, wearing hats decorated with red tassels, white jade rings around their waists, swords on the left, and swords on the right. They looked like gods; Those who are satisfied with it don't know that the worship of words and bodies is not as good as others. Gai Yu's diligence is as difficult as this.
Although he is old and has not achieved anything, he is still considered a gentleman and has been favored by the emperor. After serving as a minister, he serves as an advisor every day. His name is also mistakenly called Kuang Cai all over the world. Is it too much?
Nowadays, all students are studying in Taixue. The county magistrate has paid tribute every day, and his parents have Qiu Ge's inheritance. They are not in danger of being cold and discouraged. They sit under the building and recite "Poems" and "Books" , there is no need to travel around; there are teachers and doctors who are teachers, but they don’t ask without asking, and they don’t get what they ask for; all the books that are suitable to have are collected here, and there is no need to record them in my hand, pretending to be someone else’s. See you later. If one's work is not refined and one's virtues are not perfect, it is not because of his inferior nature, but his mind is not as sharp as my ears. Is it anyone else's fault?
Masheng Junze from Dongyang has been studying at Taixue for two years and is highly regarded as a virtuous person by his peers. In the capital of Yu Dynasty, the son of a native of the country came to visit Yu, and he wrote a long book called Zhi. His words were very eloquent, and he argued with him. He said that he devoted himself to learning when he was young and worked hard, so he can be said to be a good scholar! He will return to see his relatives, and it is difficult for him to learn the old ways. It is said that people from Yu Mian Township are scholars, which is Yu's ambition; those who slander me for boasting about my great fortune and being proud of my fellow villagers don't know that I am a scholar!
Translation and Notes
Translation
I loved studying when I was young. Because his family was poor and could not get books to read, he often borrowed books from people who collected them, copied them by hand, and agreed on a date to return them. When the weather was extremely cold, the water in the inkstone froze into solid ice and I couldn't bend or extend my fingers. I still couldn't relax reading. After copying, return it to others as soon as possible without exceeding the agreed time limit. Therefore, most people are willing to lend me books, so I can read all kinds of books. After he reached adulthood, he admired the teachings of sages even more, and suffered from the inability to interact with knowledgeable teachers and celebrities. He once walked (ran) hundreds of miles away, holding scriptures in hand, to seek advice from his fellow villagers. The senior was highly respected, his room was crowded with students, and his words and attitude were never tactful. I stood by his side, raising questions, asking questions, and asking him for advice. Sometimes when I was scolded by him, my expression became more respectful and polite, and I did not dare to reply a word. When he was happy, I would Asked him again. So even though I was stupid, I still learned a lot in the end.
When I was looking for a teacher, I carried a bookcase on my back, pulled my shoes on my back, and walked in the deep mountains and valleys. The wind was freezing in the winter, the snow was several feet deep, and my feet and skin were frozen and cracked without even realizing it. . After arriving at the school, my limbs were stiff and I couldn't move. The servants poured hot water on me and covered me with a quilt. It took a long time to warm me up. Living in a hotel, I ate two meals a day, and there was no fresh, tender and delicious food to enjoy. The students in the dormitory were all dressed in brocade clothes, hats with red hatbands and jeweled hats, white jade rings hanging around their waists, knives on the left and sachets on the right, bright and bright, like gods; but I Wearing old cotton robes and tattered clothes, he stood between them, showing no signs of envy. Because there are things in my heart that make me happy, I don't feel that the enjoyment of food and clothing is not as good as others. My hard work and hardship are probably like this.
Although I am old now and have not achieved much, I am fortunate enough to still be in the ranks of gentlemen, receiving the favor and glory of the emperor. I follow the ministers, accompany the emperor every day, and listen to inquiries. No one in the world can praise my own name properly, let alone someone who can surpass me?
Today’s students study in Taixue. The court provides meals every day, and their parents give them winter leather clothes and summer ge clothes every year. They no longer have to worry about being cold or hungry; they sit under the building and read scriptures. , there is no more toil of running around; there are businessmen and doctors as their teachers, no more asking without telling, asking for advice without getting anything; all the books that should be available are concentrated here, and there is no need to copy them by hand like me. , I borrowed it from someone else and then I saw it. If some of them are not proficient in their studies, if their moral character is not developed, if they are not talented or have low qualifications, or if their intentions are not as dedicated as mine, can it be said that it is someone else's fault?
Masheng Junze from Dongyang has been studying at Taixue for two years, and his peers highly praise his virtue. When I went to the capital to meet the emperor, Ma Sheng paid me a visit as a junior fellow countryman and wrote a long letter as a gift. His diction was very fluent and lucid. He argued with him with gentle words and a humble attitude. He himself said that when he was young, he was very dedicated and hardworking in his studies. This can be called a good learner! He was about to go home to meet his parents, and I specially told him about the difficulties of studying.
If you say that I encourage my fellow villagers to study hard, that is my will; if you criticize me for boasting about my good fortune and being proud in front of my fellow villagers, do you understand me?