[updated September 2022]
Reflections On Early History: Nine Chapters
Chapter No. 7
读 史 述 九 章
丰 狐 隐 穴， 以 文 自 残。
君 子 失 时， 白 首 抱 关。
巧 行 居 灾， 伎 辩 召 患。
哀 矣 韩 生， 竟 死 “说 难”。
Du Shi Shu Jiu Zhang
(7)
Feng hu yin xue, yi wen zi can.
Jun zi shi shi, bai shou bao guan.
Qiao xing ju zai, ji bian zhao huan.
Ai yi han sheng, jing si “Shui Nan”.
Reflections on Early History: Nine Chapters: Chapter No. 7
Graceful fox hides in a den, because of his cultural prowess in writing his life was in danger.
A man of character not born at the right time, in old age can only do simple small time jobs.
Being too clever, one can head for catastrophes, well-honed debating skills call together disasters.
Such grief and sorrow, Han Fei’s life, completing his “Difficult to Speak” killed him .
Notes:
Han Fei: (?-233 BC): A prince during the state of Han. Famous as a philosopher of the Legalist school, and recommended the use of the “two handles”: punishment and rewards.
“Difficult to Speak”: (talking to the emperor can end your life)
Commentary:
This poem echoes strongly the words and sentiments of Laozi, as expressed in his Dao De Jing.