Sayings · LT905

Aphorisms

Immortal maxims, inspirational epigrams, and ethical golden verses.

710works

11dynasties

185authors

Han

71 works

202 BCE – 220 CE

  1. Teeth Worn Down Like an Old Dog's or Horse'sBan ZhaoThough he wishes to exert all his strength to repay the emperor's kindness, he is pressed by the end of his years, his teeth worn out like an old dog's or horse's.
  2. Zilu Ties His Cap Strings and DiesSima QianZilu said, 'A gentleman does not let his cap fall even in death.' Then he tied his cap strings and died.
  3. Qin, a State of Tigers and WolvesSima QianQin is a state of tigers and wolves, with a heart to swallow the whole world.
  4. Vying with Sun and Moon: Sima Qian's Praise of Qu YuanSima QianConsidering such aims, one may well say they vie with the sun and moon in brightness.
  5. Full Granaries Make People Mindful of ProprietySima QianWhen granaries are full, people know propriety; when food and clothing suffice, they know honour and shame.
  6. While the Xiongnu Remain, I Will Not Think of a HomeSima QianThe Xiongnu are not yet destroyed; I have no use for a home.
  7. So Should a True Man LiveSima QianAh! This is how a true man should be!
  8. Great Deeds Need Not Mind Small ScruplesSima QianGreat deeds need not mind small scruples, and great courtesy need not bother with small politeness.
  9. The Peacock Flies to the SoutheastAnonymous (Han–Wei folk yuefu)The peacock flies to the southeast; every five li it turns and lingers.
  10. A Poor Home Longs for a Good Wife, a Troubled State for a Good MinisterSima QianWhen the family is poor one longs for a good wife; when the state is in disorder one longs for a good minister.
  11. Chasing an Empty Name to Suffer Real DisasterCao CaoTherefore I cannot chase an empty name and suffer real disaster; this I must not do.
  12. To Found a Distinct School of ThoughtSima QianI wished thereby to probe the boundary between heaven and humanity, to trace the changes of past and present, and to found a school of my own.
  13. Chao Cuo, the Crown Prince's Bag of WisdomSima QianBecause of his eloquence he won the crown prince's favour, and the prince's household called him the bag of wisdom.
  14. Laozi Is Like a Dragon Beyond GraspSima QianToday I have seen Laozi: is he not like a dragon!
  15. Are Kings, Lords, Generals and Ministers a Breed ApartSima QianA brave man either does not die, or if he dies, dies for a great name. Are kings, lords, generals and ministers a breed apart?
  16. Never Parting Until Our Hair Turns WhiteZhuo Wenjun (traditionally attributed)I wish only for one true-hearted love, and never to part until our hair is white.
  17. Coming to Break Off with You for GoodZhuo Wenjun (traditionally attributed)I hear you are of two minds, so I have come to part from you for good.
  18. Zhou Yafu, a True General at Xiliu CampSima QianAh, this is a true general!
  19. Probing Heaven and Humanity, Comprehending Change Past and PresentSima QianI wished also to probe the boundary between heaven and humanity, to comprehend the changes of past and present, and to form a school of my own.
  20. Severing the Veins of the EarthSima QianFrom Lintao to Liaodong I built walls and moats over ten thousand li; how could they not have cut the veins of the earth somewhere? This is my crime.
  21. Insides Twisting Nine Times a DaySima QianSo my insides twist nine times a day; at home I am dazed as if I had lost something, and when I go out I do not know where I am going.
  22. Hanging Himself from the Southeast BoughAnonymous (Han–Wei folk yuefu)He paced to and fro beneath the courtyard tree, then hanged himself from its southeast bough.
  23. Qin, a Tiger-and-Wolf StateSima QianDo not go, my king; raise troops and guard your own land. Qin is a tiger and wolf that cannot be trusted; it means to swallow all the other states.
  24. Son of the Red Emperor Who Slew the White SnakeSima QianI weep because my son, the son of the White Emperor, took the form of a snake and lay across the road, and now he has been cut down by the son of the Red Emperor.
  25. Uniform Axle Widths Across Qin's EmpireSima QianHe unified the laws and the standards of weight and length. Carts were given one axle width. Writing was given one script.
  26. Carving Dragons in ProseSima QianSo the people of Qi made a rhyme: heaven-talking Yan, dragon-carving Shi, Kun with wit that flows like axle grease.
  27. The Wind Moans and the Yi River Runs ColdSima QianThe wind moans, the Yi River is cold; the hero goes, and he will never return!
  28. Li Guang, the Flying General of HanSima QianWhen Li Guang was posted to Youbeiping, the Xiongnu heard of it and called him the flying general of the Han; they kept away for several years and dared not enter Youbeiping.
  29. Like an Unmoored Boat AdriftJia YiCalm as the stillness of a deep pool, drifting like a boat with no mooring.
  30. Competing With the People for ProfitHuan Kuan (comp.)Now the commanderies and kingdoms have monopolies on salt, iron and liquor, and equable transport, competing with the people for profit.
  31. Letting the People Rest and RecoverBan GuWhen the Han arose, it swept away the harsh and complicated laws and let the people rest.
  32. The Fair Month of Mid-SpringZhang HengThen in mid-spring, the fair month, the season is mild and the air is clear.
  33. Hiding True Feelings to Win a NameBan GuSuch was his concealment of his true feelings to win a name.
  34. Heaven and Earth as a Furnace: Jia Yi's Owl RhapsodyJia YiHeaven and earth are the furnace, creation is the smith; yin and yang are the charcoal, and all things are the copper.
  35. Might Across the Land: Liu Bang's Song of the Great WindLiu BangA great wind rises, the clouds fly up; my might spreads over all within the seas, and I return to my home town.
  36. Hoeing with the Classic at Hand: Ni Kuan's DiligenceBan GuHe often hired himself out as a labourer, hoeing with the classic at hand and reading it whenever he rested; such was his dedication.
  37. Mid-Spring Days of Mild Air and Clear SkiesZhang HengAnd so, in the fine month of mid-spring, the season is mild and the air is clear.
  38. A True Gentleman Is Father and Mother to the PeopleEmperor Wen of HanThe Book of Songs says: 'The kindly, gentle ruler is father and mother to the people.'
  39. To Pass the Jade Gate Alive: Ban Chao's PleaBan ChaoI dare not hope to reach Jiuquan commandery; I wish only to enter the Jade Gate alive.
  40. Autumn Trees Thick, Their Leaves Turning Yellow: Wang Zhaojun's LamentWang Zhaojun (traditionally attributed)The autumn trees are thick, their leaves withering yellow.
  41. Nature the Smith at Heaven and Earth's FurnaceJia YiHeaven and earth are the furnace and nature the smith; yin and yang are the charcoal and all things the copper.
  42. Dead in the Wilds and Left UnburiedAnonymous (Han guchui music)We fought south of the wall and died north of the city; dead in the wilds and unburied, we are food for the crows.
  43. Fish at Play Among the Lotus LeavesAnonymous (Han lotus pickers)South of the river we can pick the lotus; how lush the lotus leaves are! The fish play among the lotus leaves.
  44. Owls Soaring High While Phoenixes HideJia YiPhoenixes hide and flee, while owls soar on high; the dull and worthless are honoured, and slanderers and flatterers have their way.
  45. Phoenixes Driven into HidingJia YiAlas, how sad, to meet such an ill-starred time! Phoenixes hide and flee, while owls soar on high.
  46. Setting Down Their Loads to Stroke Their Beards at LuofuAnonymous (Han folk yuefu)Passers-by who see Luofu set down their loads and stroke their beards; young men who see Luofu take off their caps and straighten their headbands.
  47. Fear Not Poverty but Unequal SharesHuan KuanThose who rule a state or a house do not worry about poverty but about unequal shares, not about small numbers but about unrest.
  48. Graves Heaped Among the PinesAnonymous (Han yuefu folk song)Look far off: that is your home, where among the pines and cypresses the graves lie heaped.
  49. So Long Since We PartedAnonymous (anonymous late Eastern Han literati)What is so precious about this thing? I only feel how long it is since we parted.
  50. Do Your Best to Eat WellAnonymous (anonymous late Eastern Han literati)Let me say no more of what is cast aside; just do your best to eat well.
  51. Sent to War at FifteenAnonymous (Han yuefu folk song)At fifteen I went off to war; at eighty I was able to come home.
  52. A Pair of Calling CranesAnonymous (anonymous late Eastern Han literati)Let us become a pair of calling cranes, beat our wings and rise to fly on high.
  53. The Great Unity of the RealmBan GuThe great unity honoured in the Spring and Autumn Annals is the constant law of heaven and earth and the common principle of past and present.
  54. Building on the Legacy of Six GenerationsJia YiWhen it came to the First Emperor, he carried forward the legacy of six generations, cracked his long whip to drive the world before him, swallowed the two Zhou and destroyed the feudal lords.
  55. If You Do Not Strive While YoungAnonymous (Han yuefu folk song)If you do not strive while young, you will grieve in vain when old.
  56. Fighting South of the City WallAnonymous (Han yuefu cymbal song)We fought south of the city and died north of the walls; dead in the wilds and unburied, we are food for the crows.
  57. Humbling Himself to Be Respectful and FrugalBan GuWang Mang alone was isolated and poor, and so he humbled himself and became respectful and frugal.
  58. Pointing at White and Calling It BlackDong ZhongshuThose people form a numerous crowd; they point at what is white and call it black.
  59. Cutting Wood for Weapons, Raising Poles for BannersJia YiThey cut down trees for weapons and raised poles as banners; the world gathered like clouds and answered like an echo, shouldering grain and following like shadows.
  60. Better to Hurry Home EarlyAnonymous (anonymous late Eastern Han literati)They say travelling is pleasant, but it is better to go home early.
  61. There Is One I Long ForAnonymous (Han yuefu cymbal song)There is one I long for, who is far south of the great sea.
  62. Crossing the River to Pick Lotus for One Far AwayAnonymous (Eastern Han literati)I wade the river to pick lotus; the orchid marsh is full of fragrant plants. To whom shall I give what I gather? The one I long for is on a distant road.
  63. Parted While Both Still Live: The First of the Nineteen Old PoemsAnonymous (Eastern Han literati)On and on you go, ever on; you and I are parted while both still live.
  64. A Tiger When Used, a Mouse When Not: Dongfang Shuo's ReplyDongfang ShuoUse him and he becomes a tiger; leave him unused and he becomes a mouse.
  65. A Hundred Rivers Run East and Never Return: The Long SongAnonymous (Han yuefu)A hundred rivers flow east to the sea; when will they ever flow west again?
  66. Grieving That Those Who Truly Hear Are Few: The High Tower in the NorthwestAnonymous (Eastern Han literati)I do not pity the singer for her pain; I only grieve that those who truly hear her are few.
  67. Idle in Youth, Grieving in Vain in Old AgeAnonymous (Han yuefu)If you do not strive while young and strong, in old age you will grieve in vain.
  68. The Northern Horse Leans Toward the North WindAnonymous (Eastern Han literati)The northern horse leans toward the north wind; the southern bird nests on the southward bough.
  69. Gazing Across the River of Stars, Unable to SpeakAnonymous (Eastern Han literati)Just one clear, brimming river lies between them; they gaze in silence and cannot speak.
  70. On and On, Ever Onward ApartAnonymous (Eastern Han literati)On and on you go, ever on; you and I are parted while both still live.
  71. Warm Spring Spreads Its Bounty to All ThingsAnonymous (Han yuefu)Warm spring spreads its bounty, and all things shine with life.

Three Kingdoms

25 works

220–280

  1. Bending to the Task Until DeathZhuge LiangI will bend myself to the task with all my strength and stop only at death; as for success or failure, advantage or setback, that is beyond what my wisdom can foresee.
  2. Eastward to Jieshi to Gaze on the SeaCao CaoEastward I come to Jieshi, to gaze upon the blue sea.
  3. Weeping Before the Memorial on Departing for WarZhuge LiangNow that I must go far away, I weep as I face this memorial, and do not know what I have said.
  4. Crows and Magpies Flying South by MoonlightCao CaoThe moon is bright and the stars are few; crows and magpies fly south.
  5. Heaven Is Unkind: Cai Wenji's LamentCai Yan (Cai Wenji) (traditionally attributed)Heaven is unkind to send down chaos and separation; Earth is unkind to make me meet such times.
  6. Graceful as a Swimming DragonCao ZhiHer form is light as a startled wild goose, supple as a swimming dragon.
  7. The Courses of Sun and Moon Rising from the SeaCao CaoThe courses of the sun and moon seem to rise from within it.
  8. The Brilliant River of StarsCao CaoThe brilliant Milky Way seems to spring from its depths.
  9. Singing to Voice One's AspirationsCao CaoHow fortunate, how glorious; I sing to voice my aspirations.
  10. Life Is Like the Morning DewCao CaoFacing wine, one should sing; how long is a human life? It is like the morning dew; the days gone by are all too many.
  11. Blue, Blue Is Your Collar: Cao Cao's Longing for TalentCao CaoBlue, blue is your collar; long, long is my longing. Only for your sake have I gone on murmuring to this day.
  12. Grown from the Same RootCao ZhiWe grew from the same root; why must you cook me so fiercely?
  13. Let Your Aims Be Lofty and Far-ReachingZhuge LiangOne's aims should be lofty and far-reaching: admire the worthies of old, cut off desires, cast away doubts and hindrances, so that the aspiration to approach them stands clearly in the heart and is deeply felt.
  14. Laying Down One's Life in the Nation's Hour of PerilCao ZhiHe gives his life to meet the nation's peril, and looks on death as going home.
  15. A Beauty Both Lovely and SereneCao ZhiA beauty, lovely and serene, picks mulberry leaves where the road divides.
  16. The Gateway to All MysteriesWang BiThese two come forth together but differ in name; both are called mysterious. Mystery upon mystery: the gateway to all wonders.
  17. Music Holds No Sorrow or Joy: Ji Kang's ThesisJi KangNow you alone hold that music has no sorrow or joy; on what grounds do you say so?
  18. Free of Care When the Heart Is ContentJi KangThey move with the season, content, forgetting care.
  19. The Autumn Wind Blows Bleak: Cao Pi's Song of YanCao PiThe autumn wind blows bleak and the air turns cold; plants and trees shed their leaves and dew turns to frost.
  20. Writing as an Undying GloryCao PiWriting is a great enterprise in governing the state, a glorious deed that does not perish.
  21. No Good Deed Too Small to DoLiu BeiDo not do wrong because it is small; do not leave good undone because it is small.
  22. No Wrong Too Small to ShunLiu BeiDo not do wrong because it is small; do not leave good undone because it is small.
  23. The Long Night Not Yet EndedCao PiThe bright moon shines white on my bed; the river of stars flows west, and the night is not yet ended.
  24. In Writing, Vital Energy Comes FirstCao PiIn writing, vital energy is the chief thing; whether that energy is clear or turbid has its own nature and cannot be achieved by force.
  25. Keeping the Empty Room Alone: Cao Pi's Song of YanCao PiAlone I keep to the empty room; when sorrow comes I think of you and dare not forget, and before I know it my tears have soaked my clothes.

Jin

4 works

265–420

  1. Indifferent to Glory and GainTao YuanmingQuiet and calm, sparing of words, he did not covet glory or profit.
  2. Rejoicing in Heaven's Decree Without DoubtTao YuanmingLet me ride the flow of change to the end, rejoicing in heaven's decree; what is there to doubt?
  3. Young and Old Gathered at the Orchid PavilionWang XizhiAll the worthies have arrived; young and old are gathered together.
  4. Joyfully Forgetting Meals over a Good BookTao YuanmingHe loved reading but did not fuss over every detail; whenever he grasped the meaning, he was so delighted that he forgot to eat.