1. Translation of the ancient text "The benevolent and wise man"
Original text
Confucius said: "The wise are happy in water, the benevolent in mountains; the wise are active, the benevolent are still; the wise are happy. Happiness, the benevolent one loves longevity"
Translation
Confucius said: "The wise man loves water, the benevolent man loves mountains; the wise man loves movement, the benevolent man loves tranquility; the wise man is happy, and the benevolent man loves longevity."
Interpretation
Using mountains and rivers to describe benevolent and wise men has a vivid and profound image. This is just like Zhu Xi's discussion in "Analects of Confucius": "Without an extremely profound understanding of benevolence and wisdom, it is absolutely impossible to make such a description." The sage has both wisdom and benevolence, so the patent right to make this description belongs to him.
A wise man is also a wise person. Smart people are quick to respond and active in thinking through reasoning. Their active temperament is like water that keeps flowing, so we compare it with water.
A benevolent person is a kind person. A kind person is content with justice, kind and tolerant but not easily impulsive. His quiet temperament is as stable and unyielding as a mountain, so we use mountains for comparison.
However, if you ask the average person whether they prefer water or mountains, most of the answers they will get are mountains and rivers. Because--
"The water is like the waves in the eyes, and the mountains are like the gathering of eyebrows and peaks.
If you want to ask a pedestrian where to go, the place where the eyebrows are full." (Wang Guan)
Landscapes have their own merits, and benevolence and wisdom are our pursuits. Even if we are unable to reach them, we must still yearn for them.
Of course, as far as the actual situation is concerned, everyone's temperament is different, and there are indeed differences in landscapes. In other words, some people enjoy water, while others enjoy mountains.
"There are endless green mountains and green waters." (Cui Hao) 2. What does "Walking with wise men and company of masters" mean?
"Walking with wise men" , "Associating with wise people" means: walking with wise people, making companions with noble people.
1. Walk with the wise yǔ zhì zhě tóng xíng
Definition: "Wise person" is a resourceful or wise person; "Walking with the wise" means walking together.
2. To associate with an expert yù gāo rén wéi wǔ
Interpretation: "Exalt" is a person with extraordinary talents and noble aspirations; "to be in the company" is to be a partner.
3. With yǔ
①Associate;
②Be harmonious.
4. Wise man zhì zhě
Definition: A resourceful or wise person.
5. Peer tóngxíng
Definition: walk together.
6. 高人gāo rén
Definition:
①Superman, different from the ordinary.
②Refers to a person with superhuman talents.
③A person with noble aspirations. Mostly refers to hermits and ascetics.
7. wéi wǔ
Meaning: accomplice; partner.
Extended information
Sentences with similar meanings to "Walking with wise men and being in the company of masters":
1. Those who are close to vermillion are red, and those who are close to ink are black. .
Author: Fu Xuan.
Dynasty: Jin.
Source: "Prince Shaofu's Proverbs".
Definition: It is a metaphor that getting close to good people can make people become good, and getting close to bad people can make people bad. It means that the objective environment has a great influence on people.
2. Talk and laugh with great Confucianism.
Author: Liu Yuxi.
Dynasty: Tang.
Source: "Inscription on the Humble Room".
Definition: Talking and laughing freely with knowledgeable people means that the people you make friends with are different from ordinary people.
3. In the asparagus canopy, one cannot help oneself to stand straight, while the white sand is in nirvana, which is black with it.
Author: Xun Kuang
Dynasty: Pre-Qin
Source: "Xunzi Encouraging Learning"
Interpretation: A metaphor for living in a good life environment to grow healthily.
Sogou Encyclopedia - Those who are close to vermilion are red, those who are close to ink are black