The preface to seeing Ma Sheng off in Dongyang is translated as follows:
I liked reading very much when I was young. The family is poor and can't get books to read. They often borrow books from book collectors, copy them with their own pens, calculate the dates and return them on time. It's very cold in winter, the ink in the inkstone is frozen, my fingers can't bend straight, and I don't relax when copying books. After copying, he immediately ran to return the book, not daring to exceed the agreed time limit slightly. So many people are willing to lend me books that I can read all the books. As an adult, I admire the theory of ancient sages more, but I can't communicate with knowledgeable teachers and celebrities. Once I rushed hundreds of miles away, holding the scriptures and asking the elders with moral knowledge in the village. His predecessors were highly respected and his disciples crowded his room. His words and face never softened a bit. I stood beside him, asking questions, asking truth, bending down and listening respectfully; Sometimes, when he is reprimanded loudly, his expression is more respectful and his manners are more thoughtful, and he dare not say a rebuttal; He was happy and went to consult again. So although I was stupid, I finally learned a lot.
Go out for advice, carry a book box, drag shoes, and walk in the deep mountains and valleys. In the middle of winter, the cold wind blows hard and the snow is several feet deep. I don't know. The skin on my feet is cracked with cold. Back to the hostel, my limbs were stiff and I couldn't move. The waiter gave me a hot bath and wrapped me in a quilt, which took me a long time to warm up. Staying in a hotel, the innkeeper has two meals a day, and there is nothing fresh, fat and delicious to enjoy. Roommates are wearing gorgeous clothes, hats decorated with red hair bands and jewels, white jade rings hanging around their waists, treasure knives on the left and sachets on the right, which are bright and dazzling, just like immortals; I am in rags among them, but I am not jealous. Because there are enough happy things in my heart, I don't feel that the enjoyment of food and clothing is not as good as others. I just study hard. Although I am old now, I have achieved nothing, but fortunately, I am still among the gentlemen, bearing the honor of the son of heaven, following the emperor every day, waiting for inquiries, and praising my name inappropriately under the sun, not to mention anyone who can surpass me.
Now students are studying in imperial academy, and the court provides meals every day. Parents give them leather clothes in winter and kudzu clothes in summer, so don't worry about freezing and hunger. Sitting downstairs reading poetry books, there is no hard work; There are teachers like doctors, who ask for advice without asking themselves and get nothing; All the books you should have are concentrated here. You don't have to copy them by hand like me. You can borrow them from others before you can see them. If they are not proficient in their studies and have not developed moral character, it is not because of their low talent and qualifications, but because they are not as single-minded as I am. Can you say it's someone else's fault?
Ma Junze from Dongyang studied in imperial academy for two years, and his peers praised his virtue. When I went to the capital to see the emperor, Ma Sheng greeted me as a younger compatriot and wrote a long letter as a gift. He is fluent and approachable, arguing with him with gentle words and humble attitude. He himself said that he worked hard when he was a teenager, and he can be called a good learner! He was going home to meet his parents, so I specifically told him about my study difficulties. If I encourage fellow villagers to study hard, that is my ambition; You denigrate me, praise my luck, and show pride in front of my fellow villagers. Are you the one who knows me?
Original works:
Preface to seeing Ma Sheng off to Dongyang
Song Lian [Ming Dynasty]
I liked studying when I was young. Because my family is poor, I can't get books to read. I often borrow money from the library, copy it myself, and send it back on the appointed day. When the weather is cold, the water in the salt pond freezes into ice and I can't stretch my fingers. I still don't relax reading. After copying, please go back to China, and dare not exceed the agreed time limit slightly. So most people will lend me books so that I can read all kinds of books. Since it is crowned, it is beneficial to admire saints. He has also suffered from celebrities and tourists without owners. He has tasted hundreds of miles away and asked the pioneers in his hometown for advice. Senior honorary person, Yemeni students crowded his room, and his words and attitude were never slightly euphemistic. Around Lishi, he assisted the suspect and leaned over to ask questions; Or the more respectful and polite you are when you meet, you dare not say a word; Please ask again as soon as it is happy. So I was stupid and finally learned a lot.
When he was a teacher, he dragged himself into the deep mountains and valleys. In winter, the wind is fierce, the snow is several feet deep, and the skin is chapped. After entering the room, my limbs were stiff and I couldn't move. The servant gave me hot water and covered me with a quilt. It took a long time to warm up. Stay in a hotel and eat two meals a day, without fresh fat and delicious enjoyment. All the students are all embroidered, wearing hats decorated with treasures, white jade rings on their waists, swords on their left and smelly faces on their right. In the meantime, I have no desire for beauty. I don't know if my mouth and body are not as good as people. My efforts and efforts are probably like this. Although I am old and have no achievements, I am fortunate to be among the gentlemen. However, I have been blessed by the son of heaven. After I became a public official, I worked as a consultant every day, and the whole world misreported my last name. What else?
Now all the students are studying in imperial academy, and the county officials have a little support every day. Their parents have Qiu Ge's legacy at the age of 20, and there is no danger of being frozen and embarrassed. There is no need to escape from sitting downstairs and reciting poems; There are teachers, doctors are teachers, and those who don't ask, don't tell, ask but can't; All the books should be kept here. There is no need to record them through other people's hands and read them later. People who are not skilled in the industry and fail in virtue are not inferior in nature, so they are not dedicated to their own ears and others are embarrassed!
Dongyang Ma, who studied in imperial academy for two years, was praised by his peers for his virtue. Yu Ducheng, born in the same town, wrote a long book and was very eloquent. Debate with it and make peace with it. He said that he studied hard when he was young and was a good scholar. He was going home to visit his parents, and I told him about the difficulties in his studies. It is said that Yu Mian's fellow villagers are all scholars, and so is Yu. Those who look down on me and brag about my wealth and prosperity and are arrogant to my hometown know who gave it to me!
Comment on words and phrases:
Dongyang: It is now Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province. At that time, it belonged to Jinhua House with Qianxi. Ma Sheng: Tai's student's surname is Ma, which is Ma Junze in the article. Foreword: Stylistic names include book foreword and gift foreword. This article is a preface to the gift.
Y: Me. Shi: I like reading.
To: I see.
Borrow: borrow.
Fu's laziness: that is, "Fu's laziness", he does not slack off and does not relax copying books. Christopher, no. It refers to copying books.
Go: Run.
Overdue: beyond the agreed time limit.
Yes, here we are. Crown raising: When an ancient man reached the age of 20, he held a crown raising ceremony to show his manhood.
The way of sage: refers to the way of Confucius and Mencius. Song Lian is a neo-Confucian, advocating benevolence, righteousness and morality, so he is highly respected.
Master: A knowledgeable teacher. Travel: making friends.
Taste: Zeng. Trend: Go.
Pioneer in hometown: a famous local elder with moral knowledge. This refers to ancient writers such as Liu Guan from Pujiang and Huang Cheng from Yiwu. Inquire about the scriptures: bring the scriptures for consultation.
Lower your tone slightly: speak your words gently and face them gently. Words, expressions and faces.
Help doubt: ask questions and ask the truth.
Scold (chi) du not: reprimand, reprimand.
As soon as possible: wait.
Pawn: Finally.
Qi è: The box. Drag (yè xǐ): slippers.
Poor winter: severe winter.
Jūn: Because of cold and dryness, the skin is cracked.
Stiff: Stiff.
The woman who married him. This refers to the maid. Tang nest irrigation: refers to drinking or soaking in hot water. Soup: Hot water. Officer: water and washing.
Quilt (qρn): Quilt.
Reverse tourism: hotels.
Eat again daily: two meals a day.
(pρ) Qi embroidery: wearing gorgeous satin clothes. Being is the same as "wearing". Qi, patterned silk.
Zhu Yingbao ornaments: Red tassels are dotted with beads and other ornaments.
White jade ring around the waist: a white jade ring is hung around the waist.
Smelly: sachet. Smell: smell, here refers to aroma.
Yèran: radiant.
Yùn: A robe made of coarse linen. My clothes: rags.
Mao is old: old. People in their eighties and nineties are called Yao. Song Lian is sixty-nine years old at this time.
Fortunately, I was lucky enough to attend. A gentleman refers to a scholar with moral knowledge, and another translation refers to a person with an official position.
Affix: This means "follow".
Misreporting: improper praise. This is the author's modest words.
Student: It means there are too many students. Imperial academy: A school established by the central government in the Ming Dynasty to educate scholars, called imperial academy or imperial academy.
County magistrate: This refers to the imperial court. Lǐn ǐ: At that time, the grain provided by the government for free was called grain.
Qiu (qiú): Leather clothes. G: summer clothes. Heritage (wèi): Gifts, here refers to help and giving.
Division and Doctor: Deputy Chief and Professor of imperial academy respectively.
Unborn inferiority complex: If it weren't for low talent.
Generation: peers.
Chao: In ancient times, courtiers appeared before the monarch. When Song Lian wrote this article, he came to Beijing from his hometown to meet Zhu Yuanzhang in Yingtianfu (Nanjing).
Be a countryman: Be a countryman's son. Ye: I want to meet you.
Zhuan: Write. Long book: long letter. Basket: a gift given when we first met in ancient times.
Debate: The same debate. ?
Yi: Simple.
See you later: go home and see.
Yu Yu sentence: I think I am encouraging fellow villagers to study hard, which is my original intention.
Strange (dǐ): slander. Prosperous fortune: encountering honor refers to the appreciation and reuse of the emperor. Fellow townsman: Be proud of fellow townsman.
Appreciation of works:
This preface was written by Song Lian to fellow countryman Ma Junze. The author gave him this article to encourage him to study hard, but the meaning was not directly said, but extended from his own personal experience and understanding. It is tactfully implicit, cordial and friendly, and between the lines is full of a virtuous elder's ardent expectations for the younger generation, which is touching to read.
The full text is divided into three parts. In the first paragraph, I wrote about my study as a teenager, aiming at highlighting his studious spirit of "diligence can make up for the shortcomings". Inside, there are four levels. The first layer is difficult to learn from borrowing books. Because the family is poor and there are no books, we have to borrow books to copy books. Although it was cold, the inkstone froze and their fingers froze, they didn't dare to slack off. The second layer is the difficulty of seeking a teacher and the necessity of learning with an open mind. Seek a teacher from a hundred miles, and be careful. Although I was scolded, I finally got something. On the third level, from the perspective of the hardships of living conditions, I am content with poverty and don't admire wealth. Because I have learned something, I only feel happy and don't feel bitter. I emphasize that as long as I am full of energy, the hardships of living conditions can be ignored. The fourth layer is the summary of this paragraph. Because I was not afraid of all kinds of difficulties, I studied hard and finally achieved something. Although the author modestly says that he has "no achievements", the fact that a generation of great scholars is self-evident is known to all. Finally, the rhetorical question of "the situation is too surplus" is a link between the past and the future, and its content is very rich. First of all, the author emphasizes in a rhetorical tone that if a person with a little higher talent can be as diligent as himself, he will certainly achieve more outstanding achievements. At the same time, the implication is that I am not a genius, so I can achieve my present achievements because of hard work and hard study. In other words, if people are not too talented, but they have accomplished nothing, they can only blame themselves for not working hard enough. From the following, we can know that Ma Sheng is a studious young man. As long as he persists, the future is limitless. Therefore, although this sentence is a few numbers, it has profound significance and great effect. Taking care of both the above and the below, closely following the theme of the gift sequence, we sincerely and implicitly expressed our exhortation, encouragement and expectation to Ma Sheng, showing everyone's "graceful but muddy" demeanor.
The second paragraph, following the first paragraph, describes that the excellent learning conditions of contemporary Taiwan Province students are in sharp contrast with the difficulties of the author in his youth, and emphasizes the necessity of diligent study from the opposite side. The cloud of "I have something to offer every day" contrasts with the above-mentioned living conditions, the cloud of "having a teacher and a doctor as a teacher" contrasts with the above-mentioned difficulty in seeking a teacher, and the cloud of "all suitable books are gathered here" contrasts with the above-mentioned difficulty in borrowing books. Through the comparison, it can be clearly seen that the students of Mrs. University are much better than the author in terms of reading, seeking teachers and living, but they are not very good in career and morality. Finally, with an optional sentence and a rhetorical question, it is emphasized that the key is that these students are neither diligent nor diligent. This is the care of the fourth floor in the last paragraph.
The above two paragraphs emphasize the importance of diligent study from both positive and negative aspects. Although there is no explicit encouragement to Ma Sheng, the significance of encouragement is self-evident. But after all, the article is written for reading, so in the third paragraph, it is obviously written, pointing out that the purpose of writing the preface is "the Tao is difficult to learn" and "the scholars encourage the villagers to learn." Because the content of the exhortation has been written in the last two paragraphs, I will only say some words of praise and praise here, but it is not difficult for Ma Sheng to earnestly get the message.
Song Lian is generous, sincere and humble. This article, like this man, is euphemistic and friendly. In fact, according to his prestige and status, he can put on airs of his elders, argue head-on, speak loudly and teach this young man a lesson. However, he didn't do it. He never talks about what you young people should be like. He only talks about what "I" is like. He puts himself and the other person on an equal footing and talks with people with his own personal experience and personal experience. Not only from the point of view, but also from the image and emotion, it inspires and influences readers, making people feel that there is a lofty personality appeal in the depth of the article. In the process of reading, readers will unconsciously shorten their ideological distance from the author, agree with his point of view and are willing to follow his point of view. Writing an article to achieve this step is not only a question of article skills, but also requires profound ideological cultivation as the foundation.
Secondly, in reasoning, the author is not talking about learning out of thin air, but is good at letting thoughts and truths emerge naturally in the narrative of facts. In fact narration, he is good at organically combining general narration with typical detail description, which makes the article concrete, concise and vivid, and also has strong persuasiveness and appeal. For example, when the author talks about the difficulty of reading, he usually describes the situation that he has to borrow books and copy books because of his poor family, saying that "the weather is freezing, the inkstone is hard, his fingers can't bend and stretch, and the Buddha is lazy." Through such a typical detail description, people have vivid and concrete feelings about the author's diligence in reading and the hardship of learning conditions. The reason lies in the matter, and the matter is quite touching. This is another internal reason why this article makes people happy to identify with and accept the author's point of view.
Creative background:
A.D. 1378 (the 11th year of Ming Hongwu), Song Lian retired from his hometown Pujiang (Pujiang County, Zhejiang Province) to Yingtian (now Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province) in the second year, and his junior countryman Ma Jun visited. Song Lian wrote this preface to introduce his learning experience and encourage others to be diligent.
About the author:
Song Lian (1310-1381) is called Jingxi, also known as Xuanzhenzi, Xuanzhendao and Xuanzhendun. Han nationality, a native of Pujiang (now Pujiang County, Zhejiang Province), was a writer in the late Yuan Dynasty and early Ming Dynasty. He was praised by Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and scholars called him Taishigong. Song Lian, Gao Qi and Liu Ji are also called "the great poets in the third day of Ming Dynasty". Because his eldest grandson was involved in the Hu Dang case, he was demoted to Maozhou and died in Kuizhou on the way. His representative works include Preface to Send Ma Sheng to Dongyang and Zhu Yuanzhang's Northern Expedition in the Early Yuan Dynasty.