Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 4
咏 贫 士：七 首
(4)
安 贫 守 贱 者
自 古 有 黔 娄。
好 爵 吾 不 荣
厚 馈 吾 不 酬。
一 旦 寿 命 尽
弊 覆 仍 不 周。
岂 不 知 其 极
非 道 故 无 忧。
从 来 将 千 载
未 复 见 斯 俦。
朝 与 仁 义 生
夕 死 复 何 求？
Yong Pin Shi: Qi Shou
(4)
An pin shou jian zhe
Zi gu you qian lou.
Hao jue wu bu rong
Hou kui wu bu chou.
Yi dan shou ming jin
Bi fu reng bu zhou.
Qi bu zhi qi ji
Fei dao gu wu you.
Cong lai jiang qian zai
Wei fu jian si chou.
Zhao you ren yi sheng
Xi shi fu he qiu ?
Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 4
Adhere to the humble people who are peaceful
I follow the simplicity of the famous Qian Lou.
Even with a high government position, he was not able to prosper
Did not want to be repaid with valuable gifts.
Then one day your life reaches the end
In death, he did not even own one blanket.
How can I not be aware of these extremes
With the Dao, don’t worry about anything.
From Qian Lou’s time, one thousand years ago
Have not seen anyone who could be his peer.
If at dawn, among others live a life of benevolence and justice
At sunset die, what else could I seek?
Notes:
Qian Lou: Noted poor scholar, recluse and teacher. He refused all honors, titles, and wealth. He lived during the Spring Autumn period of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-476 BC).