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Su Shi

Chinese writer and politician (1037–1101)

Su Shi (苏轼; 8 January 1037 – 24 August 1101), also known as Su Dongpo, was a Chinese writer, poet, painter, calligrapher, pharmacologist, gastronome, and a statesman of the Song dynasty.

Life passes like a spring dream without a trace.

Quotes

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The brimming waves delight the eye on sunny days;
The dimming hills give a rare view in rainy haze.
The West Lake looks like the fair lady at her best
Whether she is richly adorned or plainly dressed.
  • 水光潋滟晴方好，山色空蒙雨亦奇。
    欲把西湖比西子，淡妆浓抹总相宜。
    • The brimming waves delight the eye on sunny days;
      The dimming hills give a rare view in rainy haze.
      The West Lake looks like the fair lady at her best
      Whether she is richly adorned or plainly dressed.
      • "The West Lake, the Beauty" (《饮湖上初晴后雨》) (1073), in Song of the Immortals: An Anthology of Classical Chinese Poetry, trans. Yuanchong Xu (Beijing: New World Press, 1994), p. 200
  • 横看成岭侧成峰，远近高低各不同。
    不识庐山真面目，只缘身在此山中。
    • From the side, a whole range; from the end, a single peak;
      far, near, high, low, no two parts alike.
      Why can't I tell the true shape of Lu-shan?
      Because I myself am in the mountain.
      • "Written on the Wall at West Forest Temple" (《题西林壁》) (1084), in Selected Poems of Su Tung-p'o, trans. Burton Watson (Port Townsend, Wash.: Copper Canyon Press, 1994), p. 108
 
For ten long years the living of the dead knows nought.
Though to my mind not brought,
Could the dead be forgot?
  • 十年生死两茫茫。不思量，自难忘。
    • For ten long years the living of the dead knows nought.
      Though to my mind not brought,
      Could the dead be forgot?
      • "Dreaming of My Deceased Wife on the Night of the Twentieth Day of the First Month" (《江城子·乙卯正月二十日夜记梦》), in Song of the Immortals: An Anthology of Classical Chinese Poetry, trans. Yuanchong Xu (Beijing: New World Press, 1994), p. 202
  • 清夜无尘，月色如银 。 酒斟时须满十分。 浮名浮利，虚苦劳神。 叹隙中驹， 石中火， 梦中身。 虽抱文章，开口谁亲？ 且陶陶乐尽天真。 几时归去，作个闲人， 对一张琴， 一壶酒， 一溪云。

    • O the clear moon's speckless, silvery night!
      When filling thy cup, be sure to fill it quite!
      Strive not for frothy fame or bubble wealth!
      A passing dream—
      A flashing flint—
      A shadow's flight!

      O what is knowledge, fine and superfine?
      To innocent and simple joys resign!
      To be myself and in contentment face
      A valley of clouds—
      a sweet-toned ch'in—
      A jug of wine!
    • "Random Thoughts, to the Tune of Shinghsiangtse" (《行香子·述怀》), in Lin Yutang Chinese-English Bilingual Edition: Selected Poems and Prose of Su Tungpo, trans. Lin Yutang (Taipei: Cheng Chung Book, 2008), p. 145
  • 事如春梦了无痕。
    • Life is like a spring dream which vanishes without a trace.
      • As quoted in Six Records of a Floating Life by Shen Fu, Chapter 1: 'Wedded Bliss'; translated by Lin Yutang in The Wisdom of China and India (1942), p. 968
      • Variant translation:
        • Life passes like a spring dream without a trace.
          • Lin Yutang, The Importance of Living (1937), p. 156

Quotes about Su Shi

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  • There had to be one Su Tungpo, but there could not be two.
  • The mention of Su Tungpo always elicits an affectionate and warm admiring smile in China.
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