An English translation of a work of ancient Chinese literature about an ugly hut, 《陋室铭》. An attempt by Abby Lu.
Original text:
《陋室铭》，刘禹锡
山不在高，有仙则名。水不在深，有龙则灵。斯是陋室，惟吾德馨。苔痕上阶绿，草色入帘青。谈笑有鸿儒，往来无白丁。可以调素琴，阅金经。无丝竹之乱耳，无案牍之劳形。南阳诸葛庐，西蜀子云亭，孔子云：何陋之有？
English translation by A.L:
“On an Ugly Hut,” Liu Yuxi
It is not about the height of the pinnacle. What gifts the mountain with prominence is the presence of a deity. It is not about the depth of the water. What grants the pond spirituality is the presence of a dragon. This is an unsightly hut, except my good conduct transforms it to more than that. Emerald moss creeping up stone stairs, green shadows of grass casted on curtains. Conversing here are people of sophisticated gentility – There is no place for the unrefined and crude. There is no chaotic cacophony of instruments, nor is there the tire of indentures. This is such as Zhu Ge’s sanctuary in Nanyang, or even Zi Yun’s pagoda in the West of the city of Zhu. It is just as Confucius said: What is ugly?
Note:
Zhu Ge is an ancient Chinese sage, Zi Yun was a literature connoisseur.
Confucius actually said: ‘What is ugly about the home of a gentleman?’, the latter of which the author cut out of humility.
About the Translator:
Abby Lu
See About page.
The Big Duck 