Bai Juyi: Year

Bai Juyi was Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty. Explore interesting quotes on year.
Bai Juyi: 24   quotes 0   likes

“… by virtue of what right
Have I never once tended field or tree?
My government-pay is three hundred tons;
At the year's end I have still grain in hand.
Thinking of this, secretly I grew ashamed.”

Bai Juyi

"Watching the Reapers" (A.D. 806)
Arthur Waley's translations

Thinking , Tree

“I was born in the Realms of Etiquette;
In early years, unprotected and poor.
Alone, I learnt to distinguish between Evil and Good;
Untutored, I toiled at bitter tasks.
The World's Law honours Learning and Fame;
Scholars prize marriages and Caps.
With these fetters I gyved my own hands;
Truly I became a much-deceived man.
At ten years old I learnt to read books;
At fifteen, I knew how to write prose.
At twenty I was made a Bachelor of Arts;
At thirty I became a Censor at the Court.
Above, the duty I owe to Prince and parents;
Below, the ties that bind me to wife and child.
The support of my family, the service of my country—
For these tasks my nature is not apt.”

Bai Juyi

"Chu Ch'ēn Village" (A.D. 811)
Arthur Waley's translations

Marriage , Books , World , Family

“In the depth of the night not daring to let any one know
I secretly took a huge stone and dashed it against my arm.
For drawing the bow and waving the banner now wholly unfit;
I knew henceforward I should not be sent to fight in Yün-nan.
Bones broken and sinews wounded could not fail to hurt;
I was ready enough to bear pain, if only I got back home.
My arm—broken ever since; it was sixty years ago.
One limb, although destroyed,—whole body safe!
But even now on winter nights when the wind and rain blow
From evening on till day's dawn I cannot sleep for pain.
Not sleeping for pain
Is a small thing to bear,
Compared with the joy of being alive…”

Bai Juyi

"The Old Man with the Broken Arm" (a satire on militarism)
Arthur Waley's translations

Pain , Home , Sleep , Winter

“For ten years I never left my books;
I went up … and won unmerited praise.
My high place I do not much prize;
The joy of my parents will first make me proud.”

Bai Juyi

"After Passing the Examination" (A.D. 800)
Arthur Waley's translations

Books , Parent , Joy