《三字經》 The Three Character Classic

[Publius]

So I decided to brush up my Wubi typing skills, and needed some text to practice with. First I used a novel, but it was too easy -- lots of common compounds, not really testing one's ability to break down characters. It seemed a classical text would be more appropriate for practice purposes. Then what would be more classical than San Bai Qian (三字經、百家姓、千字文) I thought. So I set out to find the text.

 

Interesting thing is, there are many versions of San Zi Jing, no two of them are identical. For example, this and this are supposed to be the original Song version; and here a Qing version and a Republican version (they even changed 竇燕山, can you believe that?); this site has a simplified version complete with pinyin, but with too many errors and it dare call itself sanzijing.org.

 

Another thing I didn't realize: there are many characters that have different pronunciations across the Strait. Check out these YouTube videos. The first one is the Republican version done by a group of children, very mesmerizing. The second one is the Qing version. The reader's accent is so perfect, I almost mistook her for a CCTV announcer. The only giveaway is where the Taiwan pronunciations differ from the Mainland's (can you spot them?).

 

Okay, too much talking. Here's the text, the original Song version except one place I believe. Both simplified and traditional forms are given (the latter I typed using bopomofo, and a thought I had while typing: if bopomofo were the predominent input method, would we still have people asking "how important are the tones"? -- you can't even type without knowing the tones /grin). Different Taiwan pronunciations are marked with pinyin. The English translation is by Herbert Giles (taken from ctext.org).

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rén zhī chū xìng běn shàn xìng xiāng jìn xí xiāng yuǎn
人之初　性本善　性相近　习相远　　　　人之初　性本善　性相近　習相遠
Men at their birth are naturally good. Their natures are much the same; their habits become widely different.

gǒu bú jiào xìng nǎi qiān  jiào zhī dào  guì yǐ zhuān
苟不教　性乃迁　教之道　贵以专　　　　苟不教　性乃遷　教之道　貴以專
If foolishly there is no teaching, the nature will deteriorate. The right way in teaching is to attach the utmost importance in thoroughness.

xī mèng mǔ  zé lín chǔ       zǐ bù xué     duàn jī zhù                        xí
昔孟母　择邻处　子不学　断机杼　　　　昔孟母　擇鄰處　子不學　斷機杼
Of old, the mother of Mencius chose a neighbourhood; and when her child would not learn, she broke the shuttle from the loom.

dòu yān shān yǒu yì fāng  jiào wǔ zǐ    míng jù yáng
窦燕山　有义方　教五子　名俱扬　　　　竇燕山　有義方　教五子　名俱揚
Dou of the Swallow Hills had the right method. He taught five sons, each of whom raised the family reputation.

yǎng bú jiào  fù zhī guò    jiào bù yán    shī zhī duò
养不教　父之过　教不严　师之惰　　　　養不教　父之過　教不嚴　師之惰
To feed without teaching is the father's fault. To teach without severity is the teacher's laziness.

zǐ bù xué        fēi suǒ yí     yòu bù xué     lǎo hé wéi
子不学　非所宜　幼不学　老何为　　　　子不學　非所宜　幼不學　老何為
If the child does not learn, this is not as it should be. If he does not learn while young, what will he be when old?

yù bù zhuó  bù chéng qì   rén bù xué      bù zhī yì
玉不琢　不成器　人不学　不知义　　　　玉不琢　不成器　人不學　不知義
If jade is not polished, it cannot become a thing of use. If a man does not learn, he cannot know his duty towards his neighbour.

wéi rén zǐ   fāng shào shí  qīn shī yǒu       xí lǐ yí
为人子　方少时　亲师友　习礼仪　　　　為人子　方少時　親師友　習禮儀
He who is the son of a man, when he is young should attach himself to his teachers and friends, and practise ceremonial usages.

xiāng jiǔ líng néng wēn xí xiào yú qīn  suǒ dāng zhí
香九龄　能温席　孝于亲　所当执　　　　香九齡　能溫席　孝於親　所當執
Xiang, at nine years of age, could warm (his parents') bed. Filial piety towards parents, is that to which we should hold fast.

róng sì suì   néng ràng lí   tì yú zhǎng    yí xiān zhī
融四岁　能让梨　弟于长　宜先知　　　　融四歲　能讓梨　弟於長　宜先知
Rong, at four years of age, could yield the (bigger) pears. To behave as a younger brother towards elders, is one of the first things to know.

shǒu xiào tì  cì jiàn wén  zhī mǒu shù  shí mǒu wén                                                                                         shì
首孝弟　次见闻　知某数　识某文　　　　首孝弟　次見聞　知某數　識某文
Begin with filial piety and fraternal love, and then see and hear. Learn to count, and learn to read.

yī ér shí          shí ér bǎi     bǎi ér qiān    qiān ér wàn
一而十　十而百　百而千　千而万　　　　一而十　十而百　百而千　千而萬
Units and tens, tens and hundreds, hundreds and thousands, thousands and tens of thousands.

sān cái zhě  tiān dì rén  sān guāng zhě  rì yuè xīng
三才者　天地人　三光者　日月星　　　　三才者　天地人　三光者　日月星
The Three Forces are Heaven, Earth and Man. The Three Luminaries are the sun, the moon and the stars.

sān gāng zhě jūn chén yì    fù zǐ qīn       fū fù shùn
三纲者　君臣义　父子亲　夫妇顺　　　　三綱者　君臣義　父子親　夫婦順
The Three Bonds are the obligation between sovereign and subject, the love between father and child, the harmony between husband and wife.

yuē chūn xià yuē qiū dōng  cǐ sì shí     yùn bù qióng
曰春夏　曰秋冬　此四时　运不穷　　　　曰春夏　曰秋冬　此四時　運不窮
We speak of spring and summer, we speak of autumn and winter. These four seasons revolve without ceasing.

yuē nán běi  yuē xī dōng    cǐ sì fāng   yìng hū zhōng
曰南北　曰西东　此四方　应乎中　　　　曰南北　曰西東　此四方　應乎中
We speak of North and South, we speak of East and West. These four points respond to the requirements of the centre.

yuē shuǐ huǒ  mù jīn tǔ      cǐ wǔ xíng    běn hū shù
曰水火　木金土　此五行　本乎数　　　　曰水火　木金土　此五行　本乎數
We speak of water, fire, wood, metal and earth. These five elements have their origin in number.

yuē rén yì        lǐ zhì xìn     cǐ wǔ cháng  bù róng wěn                                                                                                    wèn
曰仁义　礼智信　此五常　不容紊　　　　曰仁義　禮智信　此五常　不容紊
We speak of charity of heart and of duty towards one's neighbour, of propriety, of wisdom, and of truth. These five virtues admit of no compromise.

dào liáng shū mài shǔ jì      cǐ liù gǔ      rén suǒ shí                                  shú
稻粱菽　麦黍稷　此六谷　人所食　　　　稻粱菽　麥黍稷　此六穀　人所食
Rice, spiked millet, pulse, wheat, glutinous millet and common millet. These six grains are those which men eat.

mǎ niú yáng jī quǎn shǐ      cǐ liù chù      rén suǒ sì
马牛羊　鸡犬豕　此六畜　人所饲　　　　馬牛羊　雞犬豕　此六畜　人所飼
The horse, the ox, the sheep, the fowl, the dog, the pig. These six animals, are those which men keep.

yuē xǐ nù         yuē āi jù        ài wù yù        qī qíng jù
曰喜怒　曰哀惧　爱恶欲　七情具　　　　曰喜怒　曰哀懼　愛惡欲　七情具
We speak of joy, of anger, we speak of pity, of fear, of love, of hate, and of desire. These are the seven passions.

páo tǔ gé       mù shí jīn      sī yǔ zhú      nǎi bā yīn
匏土革　木石金　丝与竹　乃八音　　　　匏土革　木石金　絲與竹　乃八音
The gourd, earthenware, skin, wood, stone, metal, silk, and bamboo, yield the eight musical sounds.

gāo zēng zǔ  fù ér shēn    shēn ér zǐ        zǐ ér sūn
高曾祖　父而身　身而子　子而孙　　　　高曾祖　父而身　身而子　子而孫
Great great grandfather, great grandfather, grandfather, father and self, self and son, son and grandson,

zì zǐ sūn     zhì xuán zēng   nǎi jiǔ zú      rén zhī lún
自子孙　至玄曾　乃九族　人之伦　　　　自子孫　至玄曾　乃九族　人之倫
from son and grandson on to great grandson and great great grandson. These are the nine agnates, constituting the kinships of man.

fù zǐ ēn          fū fù cóng   xiōng zé yǒu   dì zé gōng
父子恩　夫妇从　兄则友　弟则恭　　　　父子恩　夫婦從　兄則友　弟則恭
Affection between father and child, harmony between husband and wife, friendliness on the part of elder brothers, respectfulness on the part of younger brothers,

zhǎng yòu xù yǒu yǔ péng jūn zé jìng chén zé zhōng
长幼序　友与朋　君则敬　臣则忠　　　　長幼序　友與朋　君則敬　臣則忠
precedence between elders and youngers, as between friend and friend, respect on the part of the sovereign, loyalty on the part of the subject.

cǐ shí yì        rén suǒ tóng
此十义　人所同　　　　　　　　　　　　此十義　人所同
These ten obligations, are common to all men.

fán xùn méng xū jiǎng jiū xiáng xùn gǔ míng jù dòu                                                       jiù
凡训蒙　须讲究　详训诂　明句读　　　　凡訓蒙　須講究　詳訓詁　明句讀
In the education of the young, there should be explanation and elucidation, careful teaching of the interpretations of commentators, and due attention to paragraphs and sentences.

wéi xué zhě  bì yǒu chū xiǎo xué zhōng zhì sì shū
为学者　必有初　小学终　至四书　　　　為學者　必有初　小學終　至四書
Those who are learners, must have a beginning. The "little learning" finished, they proceed to the four books.

lún yǔ zhě     èr shí piān     qún dì zǐ       jì shàn yán
论语者　二十篇　群弟子　记善言　　　　論語者　二十篇　群弟子　記善言
There is the Lun Yu, in twenty sections. In this, the various disciples have recorded the wise sayings of Confucius.

mèng zǐ zhě  qī piān zhǐ   jiǎng dào dé  shuō rén yì
孟子者　七篇止　讲道德　说仁义　　　　孟子者　七篇止　講道德　說仁義
The works of Mencius are comprised in seven sections. These explain the way and the exemplification thereof, and expound charity and duty towards one's neighbour.

zuò zhōng yōng zǐ sī bǐ  zhōng bù piān yōng bú yì
作中庸　子思笔　中不偏　庸不易　　　　作中庸　子思筆　中不偏　庸不易
The Zhong Yong was written by the pen of Zi-si; Zhong (the middle) being that which does not lean towards any side, Yong (the course) being that which cannot be changed.

zuò dà xué   nǎi zēng zǐ       zì xiū qí      zhì píng zhì
作大学　乃曾子　自修齐　至平治　　　　作大學　乃曾子　自修齊　至平治
He who wrote The Great Learning was the philosopher Zeng. Beginning with cultivation of the individual and ordering of the family, it goes on to government of one's own State and ordering of the Empire.

xiào jīng tōng sì shū shú   rú liù jīng       shǐ kě dú
孝经通　四书熟　如六经　始可读　　　　孝經通　四書熟　如六經　始可讀
When the Classic of Filial Piety is mastered, and the "Four books" are known by heart, the next step is to the "Six classics", which may now be studied.

shī shū yì      lǐ chūn qiū    hào liù jīng  dāng jiǎng qiú
诗书易　礼春秋　号六经　当讲求　　　　詩書易　禮春秋　號六經　當講求
The Books of Poetry, of History and of Changes. The Rites of the Zhou Dynasty, the Book of Rites, and the Spring and Autumn Annals, are called the Six Classics, which should be carefully explained and analysed.

yǒu lián shān yǒu guī cáng yǒu zhōu yì sān yì xiáng
有连山　有归藏　有周易　三易详　　　　有連山　有歸藏　有周易　三易詳
There is the Lian Shan system, there is the Gui Zang, And there is the system of Changes of the Zhou Dynasty; such are the three systems which elucidate the Changes.

yǒu diǎn mó yǒu xùn gào yǒu shì mìng shū zhī ào
有典谟　有训诰　有誓命　书之奥　　　　有典謨　有訓誥　有誓命　書之奧
There are the Regulations, the Counsels, the Instructions, the Announcements, the Oaths, the Charges; these are the profundities of the Book of History.

wǒ zhōu gōng zuò zhōu lǐ zhù liù guān  cún zhì tǐ
我周公　作周礼　著六官　存治体　　　　我周公　作周禮　著六官　存治體
Our Duke of Zhou drew up the Ritual of the Zhou Dynasty, in which he set forth the duties of the six classes of officials; and thus gave a settled form to the government.

dà xiǎo dài      zhù lǐ jì    shù shèng yán   lǐ yuè bèi
大小戴　注礼记　述圣言　礼乐备　　　　大小戴　註禮記　述聖言　禮樂備
The Elder and the Younger Dai wrote commentaries on the Book of Rites. They published the holy words, and Ceremonies and Music were set in order.

yuē guó fēng yuē yǎ sòng hào sì shī dāng fěng yǒng                                                                                            fèng
曰国风　曰雅颂　号四诗　当讽咏　　　　曰國風　曰雅頌　號四詩　當諷詠
We speak of the Guo Feng, we speak of the Ya and the Song. These are the four sections of the Book of poetry, which should be hummed over and over.

shī jì wáng chūn qiū zuò  yù bāo biǎn   bié shàn è
诗既亡　春秋作　寓褒贬　别善恶　　　　詩既亡　春秋作　寓褒貶　別善惡
When odes ceased to be made, the Spring and Autumn Annals were produced. These Annals contain praise and blame, and distinguish the good from the bad.

sān zhuàn zhě yǒu gōng yáng yǒu zuǒ shì yǒu gǔ liáng
三传者　有公羊　有左氏　有谷梁　　　　三傳者　有公羊　有左氏　有穀梁
The three commentaries upon the above include that of Gong-Yang, that of Zuo and that of Gu-Liang.

jīng jì míng   fāng dú zǐ      cuō qí yào       jì qí shì                                                                      (cuò)
经既明　方读子　撮其要　记其事　　　　經既明　方讀子　撮其要　記其事
When the Classics are understood, then the writings of the various philosophers should be read. Pick out the important points in each, and take a note of all facts.

wǔ zǐ zhě  yǒu xún yáng wén zhōng zǐ jí lǎo zhuāng
五子者　有荀扬　文中子　及老庄　　　　五子者　有荀揚　文中子　及老莊
The five chief philosophers are Xun, Yang, Wenzhongzi, Laozi and Zhuangzi.

jīng zǐ tōng   dú zhū shǐ      kǎo shì xì   zhī zhōng shǐ
经子通　读诸史　考世系　知终始　　　　經子通　讀諸史　考世系　知終始
When the Classics and the Philosophers are mastered, the various histories should be read, and the genealogical connections should be examined, so that the end of one dynasty and the beginning of the next may be known.

zì xī nóng  zhì huáng dì hào sān huáng jū shàng shì
自羲农　至黄帝　号三皇　居上世　　　　自羲農　至黃帝　號三皇　居上世
From Fu Xi and Shen Nong on to the Yellow Emperor, these are called the Three Rulers, who lived in the early ages.

táng yǒu yú   hào èr dì    xiāng yī xùn chēng shèng shì
唐有虞　号二帝　相揖逊　称盛世　　　　唐有虞　號二帝　相揖遜　稱盛世
Tang and You-Yu are called the two emperors. They adbicated, one after the other, and theirs was called the Golden Age.

xià yǒu yǔ shāng yǒu tāng zhōu wén wǔ chēng sān wáng
夏有禹　商有汤　周文武　称三王　　　　夏有禹　商有湯　周文武　稱三王
The Xia dynasty has Yu; the Shang dynasty has Tang; the Zhou dynasty had Wen and Wu; these are called the Three Kings.

xià chuán zǐ  jiā tiān xià      sì bǎi zǎi    qiān xià shè
夏传子　家天下　四百载　迁夏社　　　　夏傳子　家天下　四百載　遷夏社
Under the Xia dynasty the throne was transmitted from father to son, making a family possession of the empire. After four hundred years, the Imperial sacrifice passed from the House of Xia.

tāng fá xià guó hào shāng liù bǎi zǎi zhì zhòu wáng                          fā
汤伐夏　国号商　六百载　至纣亡　　　　湯伐夏　國號商　六百載　至紂亡
Tang the completer destroyed the Xia Dynasty, and the dynastic title became Shang. The line lasted for six hundred years, ending with Zhou Xin.

zhōu wǔ wáng shǐ zhū zhòu bā bǎi zǎi zuì cháng jiǔ
周武王　始诛纣　八百载　最长久　　　　周武王　始誅紂　八百載　最長久
King Wu of the Zhou Dynasty finally slew Zhou Xin. His own line lasted for eight hundred years, the longest dynasty of all.

zhōu zhé dōng wáng gāng zhuì chěng gān gē shàng yóu shuì       chè
周辙东　王纲坠　逞干戈　尚游说　　　　周轍東　王綱墜　逞干戈　尚游說
When the Zhous made tracks eastwards, the feudal bond was slackened; the arbitrament of spear and shields prevailed; and peripatetic politicians were held in high esteem.

shǐ chūn qiū zhōng zhàn guó wǔ bà qiáng qī xióng chū
始春秋　终战国　五霸强　七雄出　　　　始春秋　終戰國　五霸強　七雄出
This period began with the Spring and Autumn Epoch, and ended with that of the Warring States. Next, the Five Chieftains domineered, and the Seven Martial States came to the front.

yíng qín shì shǐ jiān bìng chuán èr shì chǔ hàn zhēng
嬴秦氏　始兼并　传二世　楚汉争　　　　嬴秦氏　始兼併　傳二世　楚漢爭
Then the House of Qin, descended from the Ying clan, finally united all the states under one sway. The throne was transmitted to Er Shi, upon which followed the struggle between the Chu and the Han States.

gāo zǔ xīng  hàn yè jiàn  zhì xiào píng wáng mǎng cuàn
高祖兴　汉业建　至孝平　王莽篡　　　　高祖興　漢業建　至孝平　王莽篡
Then Gao Zu arose, and the House of Han was established. When we come to the reign of Xiao Ping, Wang Mang usurped the throne.

guāng wǔ xīng wéi dōng hàn sì bǎi nián zhōng yú xiàn
光武兴　为东汉　四百年　终于献　　　　光武興　為東漢　四百年　終於獻
Then Guang Wu arose, and founded the Eastern Han dynasty. It lasted four hundred years, and ended with the Emperor Xian.

wèi shǔ wú zhēng hàn dǐng hào sān guó qì liǎng jìn
魏蜀吴　争汉鼎　号三国　迄两晋　　　　魏蜀吳　爭漢鼎　號三國　迄兩晉
Wei, Shu and Wu, fought for the sovereignty of the Hans. They were called the Three Kingdoms, and existed until the Two Jin Dynasties.

sòng qí jì liáng chén chéng wéi nán cháo dū jīn líng
宋齐继　梁陈承　为南朝　都金陵　　　　宋齊繼　梁陳承　為南朝　都金陵
Then followed the Song and the Qi dynasties, and after them the Liang and Chen dynasties. These are the Southern dynasties, with their capital at Nanjing.

běi yuán wèi fēn dōng xī  yǔ wén zhōu   yǔ gāo qí
北元魏　分东西　宇文周　与高齐　　　　北元魏　分東西　宇文周　與高齊
The northern dynasties are the Wei dynasty of the Yuan family, which split into Eastern and Western We, the Zhou dynasty of the Yuwen family, with the Qi dynasty of the Gao family.

dài zhì suí        yī tǔ yǔ     bú zài chuán  shī tǒng xù
迨至隋　一土宇　不再传　失统绪　　　　迨至隋　一土宇　不再傳　失統緒
At length, under the Sui dynasty, the empire was united under one ruler. The throne was not transmitted twice, succession to power being lost.

táng gāo zǔ    qǐ yì shī     chú suí luàn  chuàng guó jī
唐高祖　起义师　除隋乱　创国基　　　　唐高祖　起義師　除隋亂　創國基
The first emperor of the Tang dynasty raised volunteer troops. He put an end to the disorder of the House of Sui, and established the foundations of his line.

èr shí chuán sān bǎi zǎi  liáng miè zhī guó nǎi gǎi
二十传　三百载　梁灭之　国乃改　　　　二十傳　三百載　梁滅之　國乃改
Twenty times the thrown was transmitted in a period of three hundred years. The Liang State destroyed it, and the dynastic title was changed.

liáng táng jìn jí hàn zhōu chēng wǔ dài jiē yǒu yóu
梁唐晋　及汉周　称五代　皆有由　　　　梁唐晉　及漢周　稱五代　皆有由
The Liang, the Tang, the Jin, the Han, and the Zhou, are called the Five Dynasties, and there was a reason for the establishment of each.

yán sòng xīng shòu zhōu shàn shí bā chuán nán běi hùn                                                                                          (hǔn)
炎宋兴　受周禅　十八传　南北混　　　　炎宋興　受周禪　十八傳　南北混
Then the fire-led house of Song arose, and received the resignation of the house of Zhou. Eighteen times the throne was transmitted, and then the north and the south were reunited.

shí qī shǐ       quán zài zī   zǎi zhì luàn  zhī xīng shuāi                                                                 zài
十七史　全在兹　载治乱　知兴衰　　　　十七史　全在茲　載治亂　知興衰
The Seventeen Dynastic Histories are all embraced in the above. They contain examples of good and bad government, whence may be learnt the principles of prosperity and decay.

dú shǐ zhě     kǎo shí lù     tōng gǔ jīn    ruò qīn mù
读史者　考实录　通古今　若亲目　　　　讀史者　考實錄　通古今　若親目
Ye who read history must study the State Annals, whereby you will understand ancient and modern events, as though having seen them with your own eyes.

kǒu ér sòng  xīn ér wéi      zhāo yú sī        xī yú sī                                                                                                xì
口而诵　心而惟　朝于斯　夕于斯　　　　口而誦　心而惟　朝於斯　夕於斯
Recite them with the mouth, and ponder over them in your hearts. Do this in the morning; do this in the evening.

xī zhòng ní shī xiàng tuó gǔ shèng xián shàng qín xué                xí
昔仲尼　师项橐　古圣贤　尚勤学　　　　昔仲尼　師項橐　古聖賢　尚勤學
Of old, Confucius took Xiang Tuo for his teacher. The inspired men and sages of old studied diligently nevertheless.

zhào zhōng lìng dú lǔ lún    bǐ jì shì       xué qiě qín
赵中令　读鲁论　彼既仕　学且勤　　　　趙中令　讀魯論　彼既仕　學且勤
Zhao, president of the Council, studied the Lu text of the Lun Yu. He, when already an official, studied, and moreover with diligence.

pī pú biān   xiāo zhú jiǎn    bǐ wú shū    qiě zhī miǎn                                           xuè
披蒲编　削竹简　彼无书　且知勉　　　　披蒲編　削竹簡　彼無書　且知勉
One opened out rushes and plaited them together; another scraped tablets of bamboo. These men had no books, but they knew how to make an effort.

tóu xuán liáng zhuī cì gǔ    bǐ bú jiào       zì qín kǔ
头悬梁　锥刺股　彼不教　自勤苦　　　　頭懸梁　錐刺股　彼不教　自勤苦
One tied his head to the beam above him; another pricked his thigh with an awl. They were not taught, but toiled hard of their own accord.

rú náng yíng rú yìng xuě    jiā suī pín    xué bú chuò
如囊萤　如映雪　家虽贫　学不辍　　　　如囊螢　如映雪　家雖貧　學不輟
Then we have one who put fireflies in a bag, and again another who used the white glare from snow. Although their families were poor, these men studied unceasingly.

rú fù xīn        rú guà jiǎo   shēn suī láo  yóu kǔ zhuó
如负薪　如挂角　身虽劳　犹苦卓　　　　如負薪　如掛角　身雖勞　猶苦卓
Again, there was one who carried fuel, and another who used horns as pegs. Although they toiled with their bodies, they were nevertheless remarkable for their application.

sū lǎo quán    èr shí qī        shǐ fā fèn       dú shū jí
苏老泉　二十七　始发愤　读书籍　　　　蘇老泉　二十七　始發憤　讀書籍
Su Lao-Quan, at the age of twenty-seven, at last began to show his energy and devote himself to the study of books.

bǐ jì lǎo         yóu huǐ chí  ěr xiǎo shēng    yí zǎo sī
彼既老　犹悔迟　尔小生　宜早思　　　　彼既老　猶悔遲　爾小生　宜早思
Then when already past the age, he deeply regretted his delay. You little boys should take thought betimes.

ruò liáng hào bā shí èr      duì dà tíng    kuí duō shì
若梁灏　八十二　对大廷　魁多士　　　　若梁灝　八十二　對大廷　魁多士
Then there were Liang Hao, who at the age of eighty-two, made his replies in the great hall, and came out first among many scholars.

bǐ jì chéng zhòng chēng yì ěr xiǎo shēng yí lì zhì
彼既成　众称异　尔小生　宜立志　　　　彼既成　眾稱異　爾小生　宜立志
When thus late he had succeeded, all men pronounced him a prodigy. You little boys should make up your minds to work.

yíng bā suì néng yǒng shī  mì qī suì      néng fù qí
莹八岁　能咏诗　泌七岁　能赋棋　　　　瑩八歲　能詠詩　泌七歲　能賦碁
Ying, at eight years of age, could compose poetry. Bi, at seven years of age, could make an epigram on wei-qi.

bǐ yǐng wù   rén chēng qí   ěr yòu xué  dāng xiào zhī
彼颖悟　人称奇　尔幼学　当效之　　　　彼穎悟　人稱奇　爾幼學　當效之
These youths were quick of apprehension, and people declared them to be prodigies. You young learners ought to imitate them.

cài wén jī  néng biàn qín  xiè dào yùn  néng yǒng yín
蔡文姬　能辨琴　谢道韫　能咏吟　　　　蔡文姬　能辨琴　謝道韞　能詠吟
Cai Wen-ji, was able to judge from the sound of a psaltery. Xie Dao-yun, was able to compose verses.

bǐ nǚ zǐ        qiě cōng mǐn    ěr nán zǐ     dāng zì jǐng
彼女子　且聪敏　尔男子　当自警　　　　彼女子　且聰敏　爾男子　當自警
They were only girls, yet they were quick and clever. You boys ought to rouse yourselves.

táng liú yàn  fāng qī suì  jǔ shén tóng  zuò zhèng zì
唐刘晏　方七岁　举神童　作正字　　　　唐劉晏　方七歲　舉神童　作正字
Liu Yan of the Tang dynasty, when only seven years of age, was ranked as an "inspired child," and was appointed a Corrector of Texts.

bǐ suī yòu     shēn yǐ shì     ěr yòu xué    miǎn ér zhì
彼虽幼　身已仕　尔幼学　勉而致　　　　彼雖幼　身已仕　爾幼學　勉而致
He, although a child, was already in an official post. You young learners strive to bring about a like result.

yǒu wéi zhě   yì ruò shì
有为者　亦若是　　　　　　　　　　　　有為者　亦若是
Those who work will also succeed as he did.

quǎn shǒu yè jī sī chén    gǒu bù xué    hé wéi rén
犬守夜　鸡司晨　苟不学　曷为人　　　　犬守夜　雞司晨　苟不學　曷為人
The dog keeps guard by night; the cock proclaims the dawn. If foolishly you do not study, how can you become men?

cán tǔ sī    fēng niàng mì  rén bù xué      bù rú wù
蚕吐丝　蜂酿蜜　人不学　不如物　　　　蠶吐絲　蜂釀蜜　人不學　不如物
The silkworm produces silk, the bee makes honey. If a man does not learn, he is not equal to the brutes.

yòu ér xué zhuàng ér xíng shàng zhì jūn xià zé mín
幼而学　壮而行　上致君　下泽民　　　　幼而學　壯而行　上致君　下澤民
Learn while young, and when grown up apply what you have learnt; influencing the sovereign above; benefiting the people below.

yáng míng shēng xiǎn fù mǔ guāng yú qián yù yú hòu
扬名声　显父母　光于前　裕于后　　　　揚名聲　顯父母　光於前　裕於後
Make a name for yourselves, and glorify your father and mother, shed lustre on your ancestors, enrich your posterity.

rén yí zǐ       jīn mǎn yíng    wǒ jiào zǐ      wéi yì jīng
人遗子　金满籝　我教子　惟一经　　　　人遺子　金滿籯　我教子　惟一經
Men bequeath to their children coffers of gold; I teach you children only this one book.

qín yǒu gōng  xì wú yì        jiè zhī zāi       yí miǎn lì
勤有功　戏无益　戒之哉　宜勉力　　　　勤有功　戲無益　戒之哉　宜勉力
Diligence has its reward; play has no advantages. Oh, be on your guard, and put forth your strength.

 

[Tomsima]

A lot of work has definitely been put into this, I'm currently 背ing 千字文 and am planning on doing 三字經 at some point, only worry is getting the tones wrong when reciting, thanks for posting

[Flickserve]

How long did it take to write that post?

[Publius]

Days... but it was worth it, I learned a lot.