x

▌《出师表》节选

臣亮言：先帝创业未半而中道崩殂，今天下三分，益州疲弊，此诚危急存亡之秋也。

Permit me to observe: the late emperor was taken from us before he could finish his life's work, the restoration of the Han. Today, the empire is still divided in three, and our very survival is threatened.

然侍卫之臣不懈于内，忠志之士忘身于外者，盖追先帝之殊遇，欲报之于陛下也。

Yet still the officials at court and the soldiers throughout the realm remain loyal to you, your majesty. Because they remember the late emperor, all of them, and they wish to repay his kindness in service to you.

诚宜开张圣听，以光先帝遗德，恢弘志士之气，不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失义，以塞忠谏之路也。

This is the moment to extend your divine influence, to honor the memory of the late Emperor and strengthen the morale of your officers. It is not the time to listen to bad advice, or close your ears to the suggestions of loyal men.

……

亲贤臣，远小人，此先汉所以兴隆也；亲小人，远贤臣，此后汉所以倾颓也。

The emperors of the Western Han chose their courtiers wisely, and their dynasty flourished. The emperors of the Eastern Han chose poorly, and they doomed the empire to ruin.

先帝在时，每与臣论此事，未尝不叹息痛恨于桓、灵也。

Whenever the late Emperor discussed this problem with me, he lamented the failings of Emperors Huan and Ling.

……

臣本布衣，躬耕于南阳，苟全性命于乱世，不求闻达于诸侯。

I began as a common man, farming in my fields in Nanyang, doing what I could to survive in an age of chaos. I never had any interest in making a name for myself as a noble.

先帝不以臣卑鄙，猥自枉屈，三顾臣于草庐之中，咨臣以当世之事，由是感激，遂许先帝以驱驰。

The late Emperor was not ashamed to visit my cottage and seek my advice. Grateful for his regard, I responded to his appeal and threw myself into his service.

……

先帝知臣谨慎，故临崩寄臣以大事也。

The late Emperor always appreciated my caution and, in his final days, entrusted me with his cause.

受命以来，夙夜忧叹，恐托付不效，以伤先帝之明，故五月渡泸，深入不毛。

Since that moment, I have been tormented day and night by the fear that I might let him down. That is why I crossed the Lu river at the height of summer, and entered the wastelands beyond.

今南方已定，兵甲已足，当奖率三军，北定中原，庶竭驽钝，攘除奸凶，兴复汉室，还于旧都。

Now the south has been subdued, and our forces are fully armed. I should lead our soldiers to conquer the northern heartland and attempt to remove the hateful traitors, restore the house of Han, and return it to the former capital.

此臣所以报先帝而忠陛下之职分也。

This is the way I mean to honor my debt to the late Emperor and fulfill my duty to you.

……

愿陛下托臣以讨贼兴复之效，不效，则治臣之罪，以告先帝之灵。

My only desire is to be permitted to drive out the traitors and restore the Han. If I should let you down, punish my offense and report it to the spirit of the late Emperor.

……

陛下亦宜自谋，以咨诹善道，察纳雅言。深追先帝遗诏，臣不胜受恩感激。今当远离，临表涕零，不知所言。

Your Majesty, consider your course of action carefully. Seek out good advice, and never forget the late words of the late Emperor. I depart now on a long expedition, and I will be forever grateful if you heed my advice. Blinded by my own tears, I know not what I write.

不求同年同月同日生，只愿同年同月同日死。

We ask not the same day of birth, but we seek to die together. 

子治世之能臣，乱世之奸雄也。

In peace you are an able subject; in chaos you are a crafty hero.

顺我者生，逆我者死。

There is life for those who are with me, death for those against.

兄弟如手足，妻子如衣服。

Brothers are as hands and feet; wives and children are as clothing. 

衣服破，尚可缝；手足断，安可续？

You may mend your torn dress, but who can reattach a lost limb?

欲破曹公，

宜用火攻；

万事俱备，

只欠东风。

To defeat Cao Cao

You have to use fire;

All are in your wish,

But wind from the east.

宁教我负天下人，休教天下人负我。

I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me.

箭在弦上，不得不发耳。

When the arrow is on the string, it must fly.

既生瑜，何生亮。
O God, since thou made Zhou Yu, why did thou also create Zhuge Liang？

伏龙、凤雏，两人得一，可安天下。

If you could find either Sleeping−Dragon or Blooming−Phoenix, you could restore order in the empire

亮借一帆风，直至江东，凭三寸不烂之舌，说南北两军互相吞并。

I shall borrow a little boat and make a little trip over the river and trust to my little lithe tongue to set north and south at each other's throats.

良禽择木而栖，贤臣择主而事。  

The clever bird chooses the branch whereon to perch; the wise servant selects the master to serve.

燕雀安知鸿鹄志哉？

How can swallows and sparrows understand the flight of the crane and the wild goose?

割鸡焉用牛刀？

An ox-cleaver to kill a chicken!

吾斩众诸侯首级，如探囊取物耳！

I will cut off their heads as easily as I would take a thing out of my pocket.

内事不决问张昭，外事不决问周瑜。

Should he have doubts upon internal affairs, he must turn to Zhang Zhao; for outer matters he must consult Zhou Yu.

今天下英雄，惟使君与操耳！

The only heroes in the world are you and I.

吾观颜良，如插标卖首耳！

His head looks as though it was stuck on a pole for sale.

人中吕布，马中赤兔。

Indeed Lv Bu was the man among humans, as Red-Hare was the horse among horses. 

竖子不足与谋    

Those unworthy ones cannot discuss worthy thing.

谋事在人，成事在天。不可强也！

Human proposes; God disposes. We cannot wrest events to our will.

天下之人，愿食汝肉！

The inhabitants of this country would devour you!

皓首匹夫！苍髯老贼！汝即日将归于九泉之下，何面目见二十四帝乎！

You fool and rebel! Mark you, today is your last day; this day even you descend to the Nine Golden Springs. How will you stand before the two scores and four emperors of Latter Han that you will meet there?

鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已。

To achieve this end, I would use the last remnant of my strength and could die content.

滚滚长江东逝水，浪花淘尽英雄。

Waves upon waves the Yangtze River rushes on its eastbound way,

Its white crests wash away all the heroes, valiant and brave.

是非成败转头空。

Right or wrong, triumph or defeat,

all is forgotten in the blink of an eye.

青山依旧在，几度夕阳红。

What remains only are the hills, so green

And the glow of the sunset, so red.

白发渔樵江渚上，惯看秋月春风。

To the river banks come the white-haired fisherman and woodsman,

Enough have they seen of spring wind and autumn moon.

一壶浊酒喜相逢。

Over a jar of wine, they rejoice at their happy meeting.

古今多少事，都付笑谈中。

 Alas, so many great events of past and present,

Serve but as food for their talk and laughter.