English Rendering
There lies a glassy oblong pool,
Where light and shade pursue their course.
How could it be so clear and cool?
For fresh water comes from the source.
The Book
- Poetry of Zhu Xi
《观书有感》
Original Text (中文原文)
半亩方塘一鉴开，天光云影共徘徊。
问渠那得清如许，为有源头活水来。
Analysis & Context
By Zhu Xi
Reader's Companion
The Essence of the Verse
Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.
Reading Between the Lines
Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.
- The Summit Temple
- <Prelude to Water Melody> Sent to Ziyou on Mid-autumn Festival
- Invitation to Wine
- Question and Answer in the Mountains
- Cold sheet
- Coming Home ( Returning Home )
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