Chapter 5 Chapter 5

治本 於 農 ， 務茲 稼穡 。 Government is based on farming; mind the yearly sowing, reaping! 俶 載 南畝 ， 我藝 黍 稷 。 I start the year down in the southern field; there I cultivate the season's yield. 稅熟 貢新 ， 勸賞 黜 陟 。 For tax they bring the fresh and new; reward or punishment is due. 孟軻 敦素 ， 史魚 秉直 。 Meng Ke was honest, deep and pure; Shi Yu always true and sure. 庶幾 中庸 ， 勞謙謹 敕 。 Approach the Moderated Mean; strive to be modest, on guard to be clean! 聆音察理 ， 鑒 貌 辨色 。 Examine the tone and reasoning too; consider the face, how it changes hue. 貽厥 嘉猷 ， 勉其祗 植 。 Pass down to others your fine principle; encourage them to carefully stand tall. 省躬 譏誡 ， 寵增 抗極 。 When stung by words, search soul for reason; don't be flattered into treason. 殆辱 近恥 ， 林皋 幸即 。 Lurking scandal, looming shame; in joy move up to wood and stream. 兩疏 見機 ， 解組 誰 逼 。 The brothers Shu saw trouble stem; turned in seals, who forced them? 索居 閒處 ， 沉默 寂寥 。 Alone reside in tranquil spot; speaking little, moving not. 求古 尋論 ， 散慮 逍遙 。 Ponder past words, research and write; dispel your cares, live in delight. 欣奏 累遣 ， 慼 謝歡 招 。 Delights all gathered, drudge dispersed; worries gone, in joy immersed. 渠荷的歷 ， 園莽 抽條 。 The beauty of the lotus pond; the garden plants, each stem and frond. 枇杷 晚翠 ， 梧桐 蚤 凋 。 Loquat late in year still green, Firmiana fast to fall. 陳 根委翳 ， 落葉 飄搖 。 Old trees bare or dead on ground; fallen leaves fly all around. 游 鵾 獨 運 ， 凌摩絳霄 。 The roc flies off alone and high; skirts the red cloud in the sky.