The Thousand Character Classic
You can go
here to read all the notes about each line, but I thought it'd be nice to have the whole thing all in one place:
The sky was black and earth yellow; space and time vast, limitless.
Sun high or low, moon full or parsed; with stars and lodges spread in place.
Cold arrives then heat once more; Autumn's harvest, Winter's store.
Extra days round out the years; scale in tune with sun and spheres.
Clouds soar up to end in rain; the dew congeals to morning frost.
Gold is born in the River Li; jade comes from Kunlun's vault.
A sword is styled "Excalibur"; a pearl, the "Gleam of Night".
Dearest fruit are pears and apples; fine crops mustard, ginger.
Sea is saline, streams sublime; fish school below, birds flock on high.
Dragon Master, Fire King; Bird Official, Lord of Men.
The beginning of writing; what's more, wearing clothes.
Yielding the throne, passing the land; rulers of Yu2, Tao2 and Tang2.
Relieve the people, right the wrong; as did Zhou1 Fa1, as did Yin1-Tang1.
Presiding at court and asking the Way; gracious yet lordly, discuss and decide.
With love he taught the dark and soiled; in submission, wild tribes.
Far and near, they joined as one; all followed, rallied to the king.
The phoenix calls from bamboo stand; White pony grazes pasture land.
Wise teachings dress each plant and tree; bounty everywhere we see.
These bodies and this hair of ours; Four Great Things, Five Principles.
Do honor to your upbringing; how dare one inflict a wound!
Girls admire the chaste and pure; boys, the talented and good.
Aware of wrong, you must then change; mind the limits of your strength.
Refrain from talk of others' faults; don't rest upon your strengths.
Words must stand the test of proof; good deeds are hard to weigh.
Mozi wept that the silk was dyed; in the Poems the lamb was glorified.
Exalted go only the wise and good; control desire, achieve sagehood.
Virtue built, good name made; figure upright, bearing straight.
The empty valleys broadly resonate; in hollow halls wisely officiate.
Calamity's caused by evil stored; blessings result as good's reward.
A foot of jade is no treasure; an inch of time is to fight for.
Nourish your father and serve your king; known as reverence and respect.
Devoted to parents with all your strength; loyal to throne with your very life.
Like facing the deep, like treading thin ice; early to rise, warm and cool.
Like an orchid is this fragrance; like fresh pines, abundant, dense.
The river flows at endless pace; in deepest pool behold the face.
Stand solemly and thoughtfully; speak with calm and dignity.
Diligence at start indeed is fine; completeness at ending, duly grand.
Glorious works as the foundation, no limit to one's reputation.
Studies superior, step up to serve; be given your duties, join government's work.
Alive, under a sweet pear tree; gone, in song of eulogy.
Music distinct by social rank, rites according to prestige.
The higher is pleasing, the lower harmonious; the husband leads and the wife accompanies.
Outside, as teacher said you ought; at home, the rules your mother taught!
To each uncle and every aunt; as if you'd been their own infant.
Brothers cherish each other; united in the blood they share.
In friendship each must do their share; "Qie mo!" the warning to beware.
Kindness, mercy, sympathy; Don't leave these in emergency.
Righteous, just, honest, retiring; though in failure, never lacking.
Nature settled, feelings mild; heart aroused, the spirit tired.
Keeping pure brings satisfaction; chasing things, the mind's distraction.
Hold fast to your high sentiments; a fine position will come from this.
Ancient capitals, gorgeous and grand; East, Luoyang, and West, Chang'an.
In back Mount Mang, front, River Luo; straddles Rivers Wei and Jing.
A swirl of palaces unwinding; view from buildings, fright from flying!
Depictions of the birds and beasts; painted fairies and spirits.
Third Quarters' curtains open wide, fine drapes on pillars to the side.
Throwing banquets, lavish settings; playing flutes, percussion, strings.
Ascending stairs, to Emperor; hats awhirl, as if the stars.
Right leads to the library, left, the scholars' dormitory.
The legendary Fen2 and Dian3; stacks for use by famous men.
Du's cursive script and Zhong's print style, lacquer books, classics from wall.
Palace generals and ministers parade; on road outside the ones of lesser grade.
Each household granted eight counties; each family, a thousand troops.
High hats pace Son of Heaven's chariot; fast driving blows their ribbons all about.
Inheriting excessive wealth and ease; they drive fat horses anytime they please.
Wrote scrolls of glories and abundant facts; carved on stones their famous names and acts.
Pan Creek, the place, Yi Yin, the man; assisting as Prime Minister.
Yan's earth, Qufu; less Dan4, who would do?
The Duke of Huan brought all in line; helped those weak and in decline.
Qi returned to aid Han Hui; Delight affected Shang's Wu Ding.
The best and brightest work diligently; so many fine men, this tranquility!
Jin, Chu, next hegemonists; Zhao, Wei troubled by Axis.
Stole a march, wiped out Guo; occupied, made a pact.
Xiao He valued simple laws; Han was framed and suffered torts.
Qi, Jian, Po and Mu; in use of armies, most refined.
Spread of name to deserts far; passed down fame in portraiture.
Old Nine States with Yu's tracks in; the Hundred Districts, joined by Qin.
Peak most worshipped, Great Taishan; Chan conducted on Yun and Ting.
Mt Yanmen Pass, purple Great Wall; Jitian station, Chicheng's vault.
Kunming Pond, Tablet Rock; Juye Swamp, Lake Dongting.
Rivers flowing without end, boundless lakes and seas; tall rocks in caves so dark and deep, climate as you please.
Government is based on farming; mind the yearly sowing, reaping!
I start the year down in the southern field; there I cultivate the season's yield.
For tax they bring the fresh and new; reward or punishment is due.
Meng Ke was honest, deep and pure; Shi Yu always true and sure.
Approach the Moderated Mean; strive to be modest, on guard to be clean!
Examine the tone and reasoning too; consider the face, how it changes hue.
Pass down to others your fine principle; encourage them to carefully stand tall.
When stung by words, search soul for reason; don't be flattered into treason.
Lurking scandal, looming shame; in joy move up to wood and stream.
The brothers Shu saw trouble stem; turned in seals, who forced them?
Alone reside in tranquil spot; speaking little, moving not.
Ponder past words, research and write; dispel your cares, live in delight.
Delights all gathered, drudge dispersed; worries gone, in joy immersed.
The beauty of the lotus pond; the garden plants, each stem and frond.
Loquat late in year still green, Firmiana fast to fall.
Old trees bare or dead on ground; fallen leaves fly all around.
The roc flies off alone and high; skirts the red cloud in the sky.
Dizzy reading, lost in stacks; eyes on bookbags, shelves and racks.
Laxness is a thing to fear; the office wall affixed with ear.
Prepare the meals, eat enough; the mouth to suit, the gut to stuff.
Gluttons gorged on boiled game; the hungry glad with coarsest grain.
With family and old friends there; old and young, different fare.
Junior wife, spinning thread; combs and towels, making bed.
Silken fan like moon so bright; silver candleholders' light.
Snooze at noontime, sleep at night; bamboo on ivory bed is right.
Music, song, and tippling party, lift the winecups, drink up hearty!
Lift your hands and stomp your feet, happy, healthy, with the beat!
Main queen's sons continuing; winter, autumn worshipping
Kneel and knock, again ground head; sincere respect, in grief and dread.
Your notes and letters brief, concise; replies detailed, thorough, wise.
Bones dirty, long for bathing pool; too hot to handle, wish for cool.
Donkey, mule, calf and bull; leaping, rearing, panic full.
Kill thieves and bandits, every one; arrest and try those on the run.
Lv Bu's bow, Yi Liao's balls; Ji Kang's zither, Ruan Ji's calls.
Tian gave us brush, Lun, paper fine; Jun compass, wheels, Ren, hook and line.
Peace and benefit to us; together all are marvelous.
Mao and Shi, most beautiful; brows knit in pain, smile charming still.
The clock of years times out all lives; the blazing sun alone survives.
The Dipper turns suspended in the night; world bathed by last moon's pale and gloomy light.
Ideas to tinder, leave them blessed; always encourage, guide, suggest.
Measured steps, neck thrust forward; all the bowing, life at court.
Robes wrapped with sash, severe and grand; calmly pace, behold your land.
Fools and ignoramuses; dimwits too, ridiculous.
So-called helpers; yan zai hu ye.
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