Sayings · LT905

Aphorisms

Immortal maxims, inspirational epigrams, and ethical golden verses.

710works

11dynasties

185authors

Song

100 works

960–1279

  1. Sun Quan Holds the Southeast FirmXin QijiYoung, he led ten thousand helmeted men, held the southeast firm and never ceased to fight.
  2. Vowing to Be a Great Wall on the FrontierLu YouIn vain I vowed to be a Great Wall on the frontier; in the mirror my fading temples have already turned gray.
  3. Favor and Disgrace Both ForgottenFan ZhongyanClimbing this tower, one feels the heart open and the spirit lift, forgets favor and disgrace alike, raises a cup to the wind, and is filled with joy.
  4. Searching, Seeking: Li Qingzhao's LamentLi QingzhaoSearching, seeking, cold and lonely, wretched, miserable, grieving.
  5. A Shattered Land Like Catkins in the WindWen TianxiangMy land is shattered, catkins scattered by the wind; my fortunes rise and sink, duckweed beaten by the rain.
  6. Vows Firm as Mountains Still RemainLu YouThough our mountain-firm vows remain, no brocade letter can be entrusted to carry them.
  7. High Mountains and a Small Moon Over Red CliffSu ShiThe river roars, the sheer bank rises a thousand feet; the mountains are high, the moon is small, the water has fallen and the rocks stand out.
  8. Pearls and Gems Lining Hangzhou's MarketsLiu YongMarkets display pearls and gems, homes brim with silks and brocades, and all vie in luxury.
  9. Deep, Deep the Courtyard LiesOuyang XiuDeep, deep the courtyard lies, how deep? Willows pile up mist, and curtains hang beyond counting.
  10. Homes Brimming With Silk Gauze and BrocadeLiu YongMarkets display pearls and gems, homes brim with silk gauze and brocade, and all vie in luxury.
  11. Just Gone From the Brows, Back Upon the HeartLi QingzhaoThere is no way to dispel this longing: it has just left my brows, and already it rises in my heart.
  12. Passing Over Every Cold BranchSu ShiIt tries every cold branch but will not perch; lonely, the sandbar is cold.
  13. The Chill Spring Wind That SobersSu ShiThe chilly spring wind blows me sober; a little cold, yet the slanting sun on the hilltop comes to greet me.
  14. Speechless and Choked with Tears at PartingLiu YongHolding hands, we gaze at each other's tear-filled eyes, and choked with sobs, we cannot say a word.
  15. Hair Gone Gray Before Its TimeSu ShiMy spirit wanders the old land; so sentimental, I should be laughed at for my hair gone gray before its time.
  16. Ten Miles of Spring Breeze in YangzhouJiang KuiI pass where ten li of spring breeze once blew, and all is green with shepherd's purse and wheat.
  17. Hidden Fragrance Filling the SleevesLi QingzhaoHolding wine by the eastern fence after dusk, a hidden fragrance fills my sleeves.
  18. The Moon Rising Over the Willow TipsOuyang XiuThe moon rose over the willow tips; we met after dusk.
  19. Towered Warships on a Snowy Night at GuazhouLu YouTowered warships on a snowy night at the Guazhou ford; armored horses in the autumn wind at Dasan Pass.
  20. On the Verge of Speaking, Then Holding BackXin QijiNow that I have tasted every sorrow, I want to speak but stop.
  21. Water Shimmering in the Sun on West LakeSu ShiThe shimmering water is lovely in sunshine; the misty hills are wonderful in rain.
  22. Asking the Flowers Through TearsOuyang XiuThrough tears I ask the flowers; the flowers do not speak, and scattered petals fly away past the swing.
  23. Rosy Cheeks Turned to Withered WoodOuyang XiuNo wonder the rosy-cheeked turn to withered wood and the jet-black-haired turn speckled grey.
  24. There, Where the Lantern Light Grows DimXin QijiSuddenly I turn my head, and there that person is, where the lantern light grows dim.
  25. No Victory Yet Carved on Mount YanranFan ZhongyanA cup of cloudy wine, and home ten thousand li away; with no victory yet carved on Mount Yanran, there is no road back.
  26. The Day the Royal Army Retakes the NorthLu YouOn the day the royal army marches north and pacifies the Central Plains, at the family sacrifice do not forget to tell your father.
  27. Gazing at Each Other in Silence, Tears in a Thousand LinesSu ShiWe looked at each other without a word; there were only tears, a thousand lines of them.
  28. Bamboo Staff and Straw Sandals, Lighter Than a HorseSu ShiBamboo staff and straw sandals are lighter than a horse: who is afraid? In a straw cape, through mist and rain, I will live my life as I please.
  29. Turning Back Suddenly Amid the Fading LanternsXin QijiIn the crowd I sought her a thousand times; suddenly turning my head, there she was, where the lantern light was dim.
  30. A Life Tossed Like Duckweed in the RainWen TianxiangThe broken land drifts like willow down in the wind; my fortunes rise and sink like duckweed in the rain.
  31. Wine Entering a Sorrowful Heart Turns to TearsFan ZhongyanWhen the moon is bright, do not lean alone on the high tower; wine entering a sorrowing heart turns into tears of longing.
  32. Armored Horses and Autumn Wind at Dasan PassLu YouTowered warships on a snowy night at Guazhou ferry; armoured horses in the autumn wind at Dasan Pass.
  33. A Brocade Letter That Cannot Be SentLu YouOur mountain-firm vows remain, but a brocade letter is hard to send. No, no, no!
  34. Long Smoke, Setting Sun and a Lone Walled TownFan ZhongyanOn all sides the border sounds rise with the horns; among a thousand peaks, long smoke, the setting sun, and a lone town shut tight.
  35. As the Moon Has Its Dim and Full PhasesSu ShiPeople have sorrow and joy, parting and reunion; the moon has dim and bright, full and waning; since ancient times this has never been perfect.
  36. The Lotus Scent Grows Purer with DistanceZhou DunyiHollow within and straight without, with no tendrils and no branches; its scent grows purer the farther it goes, and it stands upright and clean.
  37. Grief of the Drooping Millet in Ruined YangzhouJiang KuiThe Old Man of a Thousand Cliffs felt it carried the grief of Shu Li.
  38. One Longing Shared, Sorrow in Two PlacesLi QingzhaoPetals fall on their own, water flows on its own. One longing, sorrow idling in two places.
  39. In a Straw Cape, Taking Life's Misty Rain as It ComesSu ShiBamboo staff and straw sandals are lighter than a horse; who is afraid? In a straw cape through misty rain, I take whatever life brings.
  40. Xiang Yu Would Not Cross Back East of the RiverLi QingzhaoIn life be a hero among men; in death, a hero among ghosts. To this day I think of Xiang Yu, who would not cross back east of the river.
  41. The East Wind Sets a Thousand Trees of Lanterns AblazeXin QijiAt night the east wind sets a thousand trees in bloom, and blows down more, stars falling like rain.
  42. Forcing Talk of Sorrow to Compose New VerseXin QijiWhen young I did not know the taste of sorrow and loved to climb high towers; loved to climb high towers, and to write a new verse forced myself to speak of sorrow.
  43. The Nine Provinces Reunited: Lu You's Last WishLu YouIn death, I always knew, all things are empty; I grieve only that I shall not see the Nine Provinces united.
  44. Neither Wind and Rain nor Clear Skies: Su Shi Turns for HomeSu ShiI look back at the place where the wind blew bleak; going home, there was neither wind and rain nor clear skies.
  45. To Settle the Sovereign's Affairs of the RealmXin QijiTo settle the sovereign's affairs of the realm and win renown in life and after death. Alas, my hair has turned white!
  46. Shooting the Tiger Myself, Like Young Sun QuanSu ShiTo repay the whole town for following their prefect, I will shoot the tiger myself; watch me, like young Sun Quan.
  47. Thinner Than the Yellow Chrysanthemums: Li Qingzhao's Double NinthLi QingzhaoDo not say the soul is not consumed: when the west wind lifts the curtain, I am thinner than the yellow chrysanthemums.
  48. Searching the Crowd a Thousand Times on Lantern NightXin QijiIn the crowd I searched for her a thousand times; suddenly I turned my head, and there she was, where the lantern light was dim.
  49. New Ideas Within the Rules: Su Shi on Wu DaoziSu ShiHe brought forth new ideas within the rules, and lodged subtle principles beyond bold freedom.
  50. Ten Years Between the Living and the DeadSu ShiTen years, the living and the dead, both lost in a blur. I do not try to think of you, yet I cannot forget.
  51. Calm When Calamity Strikes Without WarningSu ShiThose under heaven with great courage are not alarmed when things come upon them suddenly, nor angered when insulted without cause, for what they hold is very great and their aims very far.
  52. The Ancients' Way Shines on My FaceWen TianxiangUnder the windy eaves I spread my books to read; the ancients' way shines upon my face.
  53. Only Its Fragrance Remains UnchangedLu YouFallen into mud and ground to dust, only its fragrance remains as before.
  54. Sadly, White Hair Has GrownXin QijiTo finish the king's great task of the realm, and win a name in life and after death. Alas, my hair has turned white!
  55. What a Cool and Lovely Autumn DayXin QijiI want to speak and stop; instead I say: the weather's cool, what a fine autumn!
  56. Shadow of a Solitary Wild GooseSu ShiWho sees the recluse coming and going alone? Only the faint shadow of a solitary wild goose.
  57. Tell Your Father at the Family AltarLu YouOn the day the imperial army settles the Central Plains in the north, at the family rites do not forget to tell your father.
  58. Cold and Lonely on the SandbarSu ShiIt tries every cold branch but will not perch; lonely and cold upon the sandbar.
  59. Subtle Principles Lodged in Bold FreedomSu ShiHe brings forth new ideas within the rules, and lodges subtle principles beyond boldness.
  60. Shooting Down the Wolf StarSu ShiI will draw my carved bow round as the full moon, gaze to the northwest, and shoot the Wolf Star.
  61. Youth Knows Nothing of Sorrow's TasteXin QijiIn youth I knew nothing of the taste of sorrow, and loved to climb high towers.
  62. The Wild Spirit of Youth RekindledSu ShiThis old man will for once let loose a young man's wildness: yellow hound on the left, grey falcon on the right, brocade caps and sable furs, a thousand horsemen sweeping the level ridge.
  63. Yellow Hound in Hand, Grey Falcon on ArmSu ShiYellow hound on the left, grey falcon on the right; brocade caps and sable furs, a thousand horsemen sweeping the level ridge.
  64. Lian Po Has Grown Old, but Can He Still EatXin QijiWho will come to ask: Lian Po has grown old, but can he still eat?
  65. How Could One Word Like Sorrow Hold It AllLi QingzhaoAt such a time as this, how could one word, sorrow, hold it all!
  66. Holding Hands and Gazing Through TearsLiu YongHolding hands, we gaze at each other's tearful eyes, so choked that no words come.
  67. Recovering the Old Hills and Rivers of the RealmYue FeiLet us begin anew, recover our old hills and rivers, and then pay homage at the palace gates.
  68. Ducks Are First to Know the Spring River Has WarmedSu ShiBeyond the bamboo, two or three sprays of peach blossom; when the spring river warms, the ducks know first.
  69. Returning in Triumph to the Palace GatesYue FeiLet us begin anew, recover our old hills and rivers, and then pay homage at the palace gates.
  70. Willow Banks in the Dawn Wind Under a Waning MoonLiu YongWhere shall I be tonight when I wake from the wine? On a willow bank, in the dawn wind, under a waning moon.
  71. Seen Across, a Ridge; Seen Edgewise, a PeakSu ShiSeen across, it is a ridge; seen edgewise, a peak; from far or near, high or low, it is never the same.
  72. The Enemy Fleet Gone in Flying Ash and SmokeSu ShiWith feather fan and silk cap, talking and laughing, he turned their masts and oars to flying ash and vanishing smoke.
  73. In Death, Still a Hero Among the ShadesLi QingzhaoIn life, be a hero among men; in death, a hero among the shades.
  74. Swallowing Ten Thousand Li with a Tiger's MightXin QijiThink of those days: golden spears and armoured horses, swallowing ten thousand li like a tiger.
  75. A Thousand Lines of Tears at a Dream ReunionSu ShiWe looked at each other without a word; there were only a thousand lines of tears.
  76. Heroes Washed Away by the Waves of the Great RiverSu ShiThe great river flows east; its waves have washed away the heroes of a thousand ages.
  77. The Clear Breeze and Bright Moon Were Never for SaleOuyang XiuThe clear breeze and bright moon are beyond price; what a pity they sold for only forty thousand cash.
  78. Washed by Clear Ripples Yet Never ShowyZhou DunyiI alone love the lotus, which rises from the mud unstained and is washed by clear ripples yet never showy.
  79. A Son Should Be Like Sun Quan of WuXin QijiWho among the world's heroes could match him? Only Cao and Liu. A son should be like Sun Zhongmou.
  80. In Life, Be a Hero Among MenLi QingzhaoIn life, be a hero among men; in death, a hero among the shades.
  81. Leaving a Loyal Heart to Shine in the Annals of HistoryWen TianxiangSince ancient times, who has not died? Let me leave a loyal heart to shine in the annals of history.
  82. The Low Ridge of Young Pines over a Beloved GraveSu ShiI know the place that breaks my heart year after year: the moonlit night, the low ridge of young pines.
  83. Grieving in Vain When Hair Turns WhiteYue FeiDo not let your young head turn white in idleness, only to grieve in vain!
  84. Envied by All the Other BlossomsLu YouIt has no wish to struggle for the spring, and lets all the other flowers envy it as they will.
  85. Petals Drift Down as the River Flows OnLi QingzhaoPetals drift down of themselves, the river flows on of itself; one longing, two places of quiet sorrow.
  86. Do Not Let Youth Slip By IdlyYue FeiDo not let your young head turn white in idleness, only to grieve in vain!
  87. Flowing Where It Ought to FlowSu ShiAll that can be known is that it always flows where it ought to flow and always stops where it cannot help but stop; that is all!
  88. Standing Inside the Mountain ItselfSu ShiI cannot know the true face of Mount Lu only because I stand inside the mountain itself.
  89. Too Laden with Sorrow to FloatLi QingzhaoI only fear the little grasshopper boat on the Twin Streams could never carry so much sorrow.
  90. Drunk, I Trim the Lamp to Gaze at My SwordXin QijiDrunk, I trim the lamp to gaze at my sword; waking from dreams, I hear bugles across camp after camp.
  91. Duckweed Battered by the RainWen TianxiangOur land lies shattered like willow down in the wind; my own life rises and sinks like duckweed battered by rain.
  92. Fallen to Mud and Ground into DustLu YouFallen to mud and ground into dust, only its fragrance stays as it was.
  93. Green Hills Cannot Hold the River BackXin QijiThe green hills cannot hold it back; in the end the river flows away to the east.
  94. All the Old Glory Swept Away by Rain and WindXin QijiDance halls and singing terraces, all that heroic glory, have been beaten away by rain and wind.
  95. Too Cold Up in the Jade TowersSu ShiI would ride the wind back home, yet fear the towers of jasper and jade are so high I could not bear the cold.
  96. Unafraid of Clouds That Block the ViewWang AnshiI do not fear the drifting clouds that block my view, simply because I stand on the highest level.
  97. Trimming the Cold Lamp Through a Sleepless NightZhu ShuzhenGrief and illness follow one upon another; I trim the cold lamp to its end, yet no dream will come.
  98. Half an Acre of Square PondZhu XiHalf an acre of square pond opens like a mirror; the light of the sky and the shadows of clouds drift together upon it.
  99. Sky Light and Cloud Shadows on the Square PondZhu XiA half-acre square pond opens like a mirror; sky light and cloud shadows drift together upon it.
  100. Having Given My All: Wang Anshi at Baochan MountainWang AnshiIf I have given my all and still cannot arrive, I may have no regrets; who then could mock me?