中国成语故事英文版:人生三喻

2019-11-24 13:19:13

  One day, Ping Gong, the King of the State of Jin, said to his minister Shi Kuang:
  有一天,晋国君主晋平公对他的臣子师旷说:
  "I am over 70 years old. Though I "am eager to read some books, I feel it is too late."
  “我已经七十多岁了,虽然很想读些书,但是,总觉得时间太晚了!”
  Shi Kuang said:
  师旷说:
  "Too late? Why don't you light the candle?"
  “时间太晚吗?为卜么不把蜡烛点起来呢?”
  Ping Gong said:
  平公说:
  "I am serious. But you go so far as to make fun of me!"
  “我和你说正经话,怎么,你竟和我开起玩笑来了!”
  Shi Kuang said:
  师旷说:
  "How dare I, a blind minister, make fun of Your Majesty? I heard that when a man in his youth is fond of studying, he is like the rising sun, brilliant and magnificent; when a man in the prime of life is fond of studying, he is like the sun at noon, with still half a day's good time ahead; when a man in his old age is fond of studying, he is like the flame of a candle. Though the light is failing, it is better than groping in the dark."
  “我这个双目失明的臣子,哪里敢和大王开玩笑!我听说,一个人在少年的时候好学,就像初升的太阳那样,辉煌而灿烂;壮年的时候好学,犹如正午的太阳,还有半天的好时光呢;老年的时候好学,就像蜡烛的火焰一样。蜡烛的光亮虽然是有限的,但是有了它,总比在黑暗中摸索着前进要好些吧!”
  Hearing Shi Kuang's words, Ping Gong of Jin said with pleasure:
  听了师旷的话,晋平公高兴地说:
  "How well you have put it!"
  “你说得多好啊!”