Sanzi Jing

Let's study the part four of Sanzi Jing-show good examples.
讀史書 考實錄 通古今 若親目
Read the history books,examine the records,connect the ancient with the present,
and you'll be as close as an eyewitness.
口而誦 心而惟 朝於斯 夕於斯
Recite them with the mouth,examine them with your heart;do this in the morning;
do this in the evening.
昔仲尼 師項橐 古聖賢 尚勤學
Formerly, Zhong Ni,took Xiang Tuo for his teacher.The ancient sages were virtuous,
yet studied diligently.Zhong Ni was one of Confucius' names. Xiang Tuo was a prodigious seven year old.There is a story told of how he refused Confucius' request to move his play fortress from the middle of the road because, he argued, who had ever heard of moving buildings to make way for carriages?
趙中令 讀魯論 彼既仕 學且勤
Grand Secretary Zhao studied the Analects. He, although already an official,
studied diligently.Song Emperor Taizong asked Zhao Pu why he was reading the Analects, a book commonly taught to kids. Zhao replied: "With half of this book I helped your father gain the empire. With the other half I help you to preserve it."
披蒲編 削竹簡 彼無書 且知勉
Splitting reeds and weaving them,cutting bamboo slips.They had no books,
yet knew how to exert themselves.Lu Wenshu was a too poor to be able to buy books. He braided reeds and copied borrowed books. Gongsun Hong cut bamboo slips to do the same.Both men served under the Han dynasty.
頭懸梁 錐刺股 彼不教 自勤苦
One tied his head to the roof beam;another pricked his thigh with an awl.They were not taught these, but came up on their own to toil hard.Sun Jing tied his hair to the roof beam to prevent from nodding off to sleep. He became a minister under the Qin dynasty. Su Qin set up an awl to prick himself awake if he nodded off. He became a prime minister.
如囊螢 如映雪 家雖貧 學不輟
One put fireflies in a bag.another used the glare from the snow.Although their families were poor,they studied unceasingly.Che Yin used the light from the fireflies while Sun Kang used the glare from the snow because they could not afford candles. Both served under the Qin.
如負薪 如掛角 身雖勞 猶苦卓
One carried firewood,another hanged (books from the) horns.Although they toiled with their bodies,they overcame their hardships.Zhu Maichen carried firewood while Li Mi worked as a cowherd while studying. They became ministers for the Han and Northern Zhou, respectively.
蘇老泉 二十七 始發憤 讀書籍
Su Laoquan at twenty-seven began to show his energy,and study the books.Su Laoquan became the Imperial Librarian for the Song dynasty. His son is the famous poet Su Dongbo.
彼既老 猶悔遲 爾小生 宜早思
When already old,he regretted his delay.Like them, the young should think of this early.
若梁灝 八十二 對大廷 魁多士
There was Liang Hao who at eighty-two replied to the Great Hall,and came out first among many scholars.Liang Hao lived during the reign of Song Emperor Zhenzong.
彼既成 眾稱異 爾小生 宜立志
After he had succeeded,everyone called him exceptional.Like them, the young should think appropriately early.
瑩八歲 能詠詩 泌七歲 能賦棋
Rong at eight years old,could compose poems.Bi, at seven years old,could make a poetic essay on weiqi. Zu Rong accepted the official title of child prodigy and was named civil servant at the age of twelve. Li Bi answered brilliantly a poetic challenge of the Tang emperor. He served four emperors at the highest levels. Weiqi is the Chinese board game better known by its Japanese name of Go.
彼穎悟 人稱奇 爾幼學 當效之
They were clever and people called them special.Like them, young students ought to imitate them.
蔡文姬 能辨琴 謝道韞 能詠吟
Cai Wenji,could judge from [the sound of] a lute. Xie Daoyun,could compose poems. Cai Wenji could tell from the sound which string was broken. She lived a difficult life during the Three Kingdoms era. Xie Daoyun was a celebrated poetess. She lived during the reign of the Eastern Jin dynasty.
彼女子 且聰敏 爾男子 當自警
They were girls,yet they were quick and clever.Like them, boys should alert yourselves.
唐劉晏 方七歲 舉神童 作正字
In the Tang dynasty, Liu Yan when only seven years old,was rated a child prodigy
and appointed Corrector of Texts.Liu Yan served Emperor Minghuang of the Tang dynasty.
彼雖幼 身己仕 爾幼學 勉而致
He, although a child,was already an official.Like them, young students, should exert yourselves and concentrate.
有為者 亦若是
Those who work like them, will succeed as they did.
-------------------------end of part four of Sanzi Jing----------------
There were many examples of how ancient people had performed well in many areas. We all can learn from them like diligence.