Sayings · LT905

Aphorisms

Immortal maxims, inspirational epigrams, and ethical golden verses.

710works

11dynasties

185authors

Tang

46 works

618–907

  1. True Strength Brimming Over: The Bold and Unrestrained ModeSikong Tu (traditionally attributed)True strength brims over, and all phenomena are close at hand.
  2. Dressed in Green Jade: He Zhizhang's Ode to the WillowHe ZhizhangDressed in green jade, one tall tree; ten thousand branches hang down like green silk ribbons.
  3. Strength Stored Becomes Grandeur: The Potent and Vast ModeSikong Tu (traditionally attributed)Return to emptiness and enter the undivided whole; store up vigour and it becomes grandeur.
  4. Parting Night at the Red Chamber in Wei Zhuang's SongWei ZhuangThat parting night in the red chamber was hard to bear; the scented lamp, the tasselled curtain half drawn.
  5. Nearest Yet Most Distant: Li Ye on Husband and WifeLi YeNearest yet most distant: husband and wife.
  6. Enjoying the Rain in a Thatched Hut: the Elegant Mode of PoetrySikong Tu (traditionally attributed)Falling petals drift without a word, and the man is as serene as a chrysanthemum.
  7. The Deserted Country FerryWei YingwuThe spring tide, swollen with rain, rushes in fast at dusk; no one is at the country ferry, and the boat lies crosswise of itself.
  8. Wind and Clouds Change Colour at a ShoutLuo BinwangWhen they roar, the mountains crumble; when they shout, the wind and clouds change colour.
  9. Drinking In the Great HarmonySikong Tu (traditionally attributed)Dwelling plainly in silence, the mind subtly senses the hidden workings; it drinks in the great harmony and flies with a solitary crane.
  10. Black Clouds Bearing Down on the Besieged CityLi HeBlack clouds bear down on the city, the city about to crumble; armour gleams towards the sun, scales of gold unfolding.
  11. Footprints in the Frost on the Plank BridgeWen TingyunCockcrow, a thatched inn, the moon; footprints, a plank bridge, the frost.
  12. Why Not Eat Meat Porridge?Fang Xuanling (comp.)When the realm fell into famine and chaos and the people were starving to death, the emperor said: 'Why don't they eat meat porridge?'
  13. A Young Shi Le Whistling at Luoyang's Upper East GateFang Xuanling (comp.)At fourteen he went with people of his town to trade in Luoyang; he leaned against the Upper East Gate and whistled, and Wang Yan saw him and thought him remarkable.
  14. No Ancients Before Me in SightChen Zi'angBefore me I see no ancients; after me I see none who are to come.
  15. Pear Blossoms Open on Ten Thousand TreesCen ShenSuddenly, as if a spring wind had come in a single night, pear blossoms open on ten thousand trees.
  16. Who in the World Does Not Know You?Gao ShiDo not fear that on the road ahead you will find no friend; who in the world does not know you?
  17. Refuse Heaven's Gift and Bear the BlameFang Xuanling (comp.)To defy Heaven is unlucky, to go against the people is to fail; if Heaven gives and you do not take, you will suffer for it.
  18. Left Home Young, Came Back OldHe ZhizhangI left home young and have come back old; my accent has not changed, but the hair at my temples has grown thin.
  19. Different Mountains and Rivers, the Same Wind and MoonMahito Genkai (Omi no Mifune)Mountains and rivers in different lands, wind and moon under the same sky; we send these to the children of the Buddha, to form a bond for lives to come.
  20. As if a Spring Wind Came OvernightCen ShenSuddenly, as if a spring wind had come in a single night, pear blossoms open on ten thousand trees.
  21. Touching the Dragon's Reversed ScalesYao Chong (traditionally attributed)I wish that all ministers may touch the dragon's reversed scales and offend against taboos; may it be so?
  22. With No Heroes in the Age, a Mere Boy Made His NameFang Xuanling (comp.)There were no heroes in that age, so a mere boy made his name!
  23. Spring Waters Bluer Than the SkyWei ZhuangThe spring water is bluer than the sky; in a painted boat one sleeps listening to the rain.
  24. Thin Spring Robes of YouthWei ZhuangOnly now do I recall how happy Jiangnan was; I was young then, in thin spring clothes.
  25. The Spring Breeze Like a Pair of ScissorsHe ZhizhangWho cut out these slender leaves, I wonder? The second-month spring breeze, like a pair of scissors.
  26. A True-Hearted Lover Is Hard to FindYu XuanjiA priceless treasure is easy to find; a true-hearted lover is hard to obtain.
  27. Not a Single Thing from the Start: Huineng's Answer to ShenxiuHuineng (Sixth Patriarch) (traditionally attributed)From the start there is not a single thing; where could any dust collect?
  28. Willows Like Mist Along the River: Wen Tingyun's Spring DreamWen TingyunAlong the river the willows are like mist; wild geese fly across a sky with a waning moon.
  29. Behind the Crystal Curtain: Wen Tingyun's Jewelled ChamberWen TingyunBehind the crystal curtain lies a pillow of glass; warm fragrance from the mandarin-duck brocade stirs dreams.
  30. Recalling the Joys of Jiangnan in Youth: Wei Zhuang's MemoryWei ZhuangNow I recall the joys of Jiangnan, when I was young and my spring robe was thin.
  31. The Whole City Clad in Golden Armour: Huang Chao's ChrysanthemumsHuang Chao (traditionally attributed)Their fragrance storms the sky and soaks through Chang'an; the whole city is clad in golden armour.
  32. The Wangs and the Simas Share the RealmFang Xuanling (comp.)When the emperor first took charge east of the Yangtze, his name was not yet known. Wang Dun, his cousin Wang Dao and others supported him with one heart to bring about the restoration, and people of the time said: the Wangs and the Simas share the realm.
  33. Sleeping to Rain in a Painted Boat: Wei Zhuang's JiangnanWei ZhuangThe spring water is bluer than the sky; in a painted boat I sleep to the sound of rain.
  34. Wrists White as Frost by the Wine CounterWei ZhuangThe girl by the wine counter is lovely as the moon; her white wrists seem made of frozen frost and snow.
  35. Kongkong'er, the Assassin Who Strikes Only OncePei XingKongkong'er's magic is such that no man can see how he works it and no ghost can follow his tracks.
  36. Rain Dripping on Empty Steps Until Dawn: Wen Tingyun's Sleepless NightWen TingyunLeaf by leaf, drop by drop, it falls on the empty steps until dawn.
  37. Red Sleeves Beckoning from Every BalconyWei ZhuangI rode my horse and leaned by the slanting bridge, and from every balcony red sleeves beckoned.
  38. Able, Yet Seeming Unable: Li Jing on Sunzi's Art of DeceptionLi Jing (traditionally attributed)The art of war says: do not pursue a feigned retreat. It also says: when able, appear unable. Both speak of surprise.
  39. Form Is Emptiness, Emptiness Is Form: The Heart SutraXuanzang (trans.)Form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form; form is emptiness, emptiness is form.
  40. Fear Not That No Friend Awaits: Gao Shi's Farewell to Dong DaGao ShiDo not worry that on the road ahead you will have no friends; who under heaven does not know you?
  41. Gold Glinting and Fading on the Folded Hills: Wen Tingyun's Morning ToiletteWen TingyunOn the folded little hills gold glints and fades; cloud-like hair is about to drift across fragrant, snowy cheeks.
  42. Came for What I Heard, Left with What I Saw: Zhong Hui and Ji KangFang Xuanling (comp.)Zhong Hui said: I came for what I heard, and I go with what I saw.
  43. No One Knows But the Moon: Wei Zhuang's Seventeenth of the Fourth MonthWei ZhuangApart from the moon at the edge of the sky, no one knows.
  44. Dark Eyes for Friends, White Eyes for Bores: Ruan Ji's GlancesFang Xuanling (comp.)Ruan Ji could also show dark eyes or white; when he saw men bound by conventional propriety, he met them with the whites of his eyes.
  45. Cockcrow, Thatched Inn, Fading Moon: Setting Out Early on Mount ShangWen TingyunCockcrow, a thatched inn, the moon; footprints, a plank bridge, frost.
  46. Repaying the Favour of the Golden Terrace: Li He's Frontier SongLi HeTo repay your favour shown at the Golden Terrace, I take up my jade-dragon sword and will die for you!

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

37 works

907–979

  1. A Brief Indulgence in Dreamt JoyLi YuIn the dream I forgot I was a guest, and briefly indulged in joy.
  2. A Floating Life Reckoned as One DreamLi YuThe world's affairs drift off with the flowing water; reckoned up, a floating life is one dream.
  3. The Hurried Farewell to the Ancestral TempleLi YuWorst of all was the day I hastily left the ancestral temple: the court musicians still played songs of parting, and I wept before the palace maids.
  4. Only the Road to Drunkenness Is SmoothLi YuThe world's affairs drift away with the water; this floating life is a dream. The road to drunkenness is smooth, so go there often; no other road is fit to walk.
  5. Sorrow Like a River of Spring Water Flowing EastLi YuIf you ask how much sorrow I can hold, it is just like a whole river of spring water flowing east.
  6. Worldly Affairs Drift Away like Flowing WaterLi YuThe world's affairs have drifted off with the flowing water; reckon it up, and this floating life is but a dream.
  7. Life's Regrets Run On as Rivers Run EastLi YuRouge-stained tears, tempting me to linger drunk; when shall we meet again? Truly, life's regrets run on as rivers run east.
  8. When Had I Ever Known Shield and Spear: Li Yu's LamentLi YuPhoenix pavilions and dragon towers reached the Milky Way; jade trees and jewelled branches grew thick as mist and vines. When had I ever known shield and spear?
  9. A Taste All Its Own upon the HeartLi YuCut, it will not break; sorted, it tangles again; this is the sorrow of parting, a taste all its own upon the heart.
  10. Cut It Will Not Break, Sort It and It Tangles: Li Yu's Parting SorrowLi YuCut, it will not break; sorted, it tangles again; this is the sorrow of parting.
  11. My Family Realm of Forty YearsLi YuForty years of my family's realm; three thousand li of mountains and rivers.
  12. How Much Regret Last NightLi YuHow much regret, all in last night's dreaming soul.
  13. Gone All Too SoonLi YuThe forest flowers have shed their spring red, all too soon.
  14. Lonely Wutong Trees, Autumn Locked in a Deep CourtyardLi YuLonely wutong trees; the deep courtyard locks in the clear autumn.
  15. When Will the Spring Flowers and Autumn Moons Ever EndLi YuSpring flowers and autumn moon, when will you end? How much of the past do I remember?
  16. Parting Sorrow That Grows the Farther One TravelsLi YuThe sorrow of parting is just like spring grass: the farther you go, the more it grows.
  17. Only the Rosy Faces Have ChangedLi YuThe carved railings and jade steps must still be there; only the rosy faces have changed.
  18. The Woodland Blossoms Have Shed Their Spring RedLi YuThe woodland blossoms have shed their spring red, all too soon.
  19. In Dreams Forgetting One Is Only a Captive GuestLi YuIn my dream I did not know I was a guest here, and clung for a moment to pleasure.
  20. Tears Stained with RougeLi YuTears stained with rouge hold me, intoxicated; when will we meet again?
  21. Falling Plum Petals Whirl Like SnowLi YuBelow the steps the plum petals fall and whirl like snow; I brush them off, and I am covered again.
  22. Carriages Flow Like Water, Horses Like DragonsLi YuAs in the old days I toured the royal park, carriages flowing like water, horses like dragons, flowers and moon in the spring breeze!
  23. Lilac Buds Knotted with Sorrow in the RainLi JingThe bluebird brings no letter from beyond the clouds; lilac buds knot their sorrow in vain in the rain.
  24. Plum Petals Mimicking Snow in the WindFeng YansiFrom the laden branches the plum blossom falls in thousands of petals; still full of feeling, they imitate the snow and whirl in the wind.
  25. Forgetting Danger in Times of Ease: Emperor Dezong Blames HimselfLiu Xu (comp.)Set in my habits and easily indulged, I forgot danger in times of ease.
  26. Plum Petals Falling by the Thousand From Laden BoughsFeng YansiFrom the laden plum boughs petals fall by the thousand, still full of feeling, whirling in the wind as if imitating snow.
  27. The Lotus Fragrance Fades: Li Jing's Autumn LamentLi JingThe lotus fragrance fades and the green leaves wither; the west wind raises sorrow among the blue waves.
  28. A Hundred and Forty Thousand Laid Down Their ArmsLady Huarui (traditionally attributed)A hundred and forty thousand men all laid down their armour, and not one of them was a man.
  29. Playing the Jade Mouth Organ Until It Grows ColdLi JingIn fine rain I wake from dreams of the distant Jilu fort; in my small tower I play the jade sheng to the end, until it grows cold.
  30. To Meet Again Year After YearFeng YansiThird, that like the swallows on the beam, we may be together year after year.
  31. A Banquet on a Spring DayFeng YansiA banquet on a spring day: a cup of green wine, a song sung through; I bow again and set out three wishes.
  32. Unflinching as the Mirror Shows a Thinning FaceFeng YansiDay after day before the flowers I am sick with wine, and do not shrink from the mirror showing my rosy face grown thin.
  33. Like Swallows on the Beam: Three Wishes at a Spring BanquetFeng YansiFirst, may my lord live a thousand years; second, may I stay well; third, may we be like the swallows on the beam, meeting again year after year.
  34. Alone on a Small Bridge, Sleeves Full of WindFeng YansiI stand alone on the small bridge, my sleeves full of wind, until the new moon rises over the level woods and everyone has gone home.
  35. Sick with Wine Before the Flowers Each SpringFeng YansiDay after day before the flowers I am sick with wine, and do not shrink from the mirror showing my rosy face grown thin.
  36. A Sudden Wind Ruffles a Pool of Spring WaterFeng YansiThe wind suddenly rises and ruffles a whole pool of spring water.
  37. Who Owns the Petals Falling in the Wind: Li Jing's Spring SorrowLi JingPetals falling in the wind, who is their master? My thoughts drift on and on.

Song

17 works

960–1279

  1. Writing That Wells Up Like a Boundless SpringSu ShiMy writing is like a spring of ten thousand bushels: it does not choose its ground, and can rise anywhere.
  2. Thirty Years of Fame, Mere Dust and EarthYue FeiThirty years of fame and merit are but dust and earth; eight thousand li of road, under cloud and moon.
  3. Osmanthus of the Three Autumn Months in HangzhouLiu YongThere is osmanthus through the three months of autumn, and lotus for ten li.
  4. To Be Admired From Afar, Never Trifled WithZhou DunyiIt may be admired from afar, but never handled lightly.
  5. Wine at Dusk by the Eastern HedgeLi QingzhaoAfter dusk I hold my wine by the eastern hedge, and a hidden fragrance fills my sleeves.
  6. Chicken and Pork for Guests in a Bountiful YearLu YouDo not laugh at the farmers' cloudy winter wine; in a bumper year they keep their guests with plenty of chicken and pork.
  7. Scattered Red Petals Flying Past the SwingOuyang XiuWith tearful eyes I ask the flowers, but they say nothing; scattered red petals fly past the swing and away.
  8. The Twenty-Four Bridges of YangzhouJiang KuiThe Twenty-Four Bridges are still here; the waves ripple at their heart, and the cold moon is silent.
  9. Eight Thousand Leagues Under Cloud and MoonYue FeiThirty years of fame are dust and earth; eight thousand li of road, with only cloud and moon.
  10. Frontier Passes and Rivers Turn Cold and DesolateLiu YongThe frosty wind grows sharp and cold, the passes and rivers lie deserted, and the last light falls on the tower.
  11. Chill and Cheerless, Hushed and LonelyLi QingzhaoSearching and seeking, chill and cheerless, bleak and wretched and grieving.
  12. Bleak and Wretched, Full of GriefLi QingzhaoSearching and seeking, chill and cheerless, bleak and wretched and grieving.
  13. Ten Miles of Lotus Blossoms on West LakeLiu YongLayered lakes and stacked hills, clear and lovely; osmanthus in the third autumn month and ten li of lotus flowers.
  14. The Rise and Fall of a Thousand Ages at Beigu PavilionXin QijiHow many rises and falls through the ages? Long gone, long gone, while the endless Yangtze rolls on and on.
  15. A Thousand Tender Feelings with No One to ShareLiu YongYear after year apart, every fine hour and lovely scene will be wasted. Even with a thousand tender feelings, whom could I tell?
  16. Gone from the Brow, Back in the HeartLi QingzhaoThere is no way to dispel this feeling: it has just left my brow, and already it rises in my heart.
  17. Gentlemen Who Share the Way Become FriendsOuyang XiuGenerally, gentlemen join with gentlemen through a shared Way, and petty men with petty men through shared profit; this is the natural order of things.