岳阳楼记 - 范仲淹

原文：

庆历四年春，滕子京谪守巴陵郡。越明年，政通人和，百废具兴，乃重修岳阳楼，增其旧制，刻唐贤今人诗赋于其上，属予作文以记之。

白话：

宋仁宗庆历四年春天，滕子京被降职到岳州当州长。第二年，社会和谐稳定，百姓安居乐业，许多早已废弃的事又重新兴办。于是重修岳阳楼，扩大原有规模，在楼上镌刻唐代及当代名人诗赋。拜托我写一篇文章记述这件事。

英译：

In the spring of the fourth year of Qingli, Song Dansty, being demoted, Teng Zijing came to Yue County as the magistrate. Next year, government affairs were smooth and common people were happy and reconstruction was under way in many fields. And Yueyanglou Building was therefore rebuilt by enlarging its original scale and engraving on it many poems by the worthy persons of Tang Dynasty and contemporary poets. I have the honor to be asked to write an article to record this event.

原文：

予观夫巴陵胜状，在洞庭一湖。衔远山，吞长江，浩浩汤汤，横无际涯；朝晖夕阴，气象万千；此则岳阳楼之大观也，前人之述备矣。然则北通巫峡，南极潇湘，迁客骚人，多会于此，览物之情，得无异乎？

白话：

依我看，洞庭湖集岳州美景于一身。这里巧含远处山，鲸吞长江水，烟波浩淼，一望无边，早晨阳光明媚、傍晚阴沉凝滞，景象千变万化。这就是岳阳楼总体的雄伟景象，前人描述已经很完备。然而这里北面直通巫峡，南面直接潇湘两江，降职官员和过往文人，很多都在此聚会，他们见景所生之情，难道没有与众不同之处吗？

英译：

In my view of points, the core of the magnificent panorama of Yue County lies in Dongting Lake. Mouthing the distant mountains and swallowing the water of Yangzi River, it is boundless with a tremendous momentum. The morning sun being brilliant and the dusk mist stagnating, it presents a grand and impressive sight with constant caprices. This is the very majestic vista of Yueyanglou Building, which has already been written in detail by ancestors. But what I want to say particularly is that the lake opens into the northern Wuxia Gorge and the southern Xiaoshui River and Xiangjiang  River. Most of the demoted officials and the coming-going poets love to gather here appreciating the significant panorama. How could it be that their feelings have no difference?

原文：

若夫霪雨霏霏，连月不开；阴风怒号，浊浪排空；日星隐耀，山岳潜形；商旅不行，樯倾楫摧；薄暮冥冥，虎啸猿啼；登斯楼也，则有去国怀乡，忧谗畏讥，满目萧然，感极而悲者矣！

白话：

犹如阴雨绵绵，淅淅沥沥，整月都不放晴；阴森凄惨的风，宛如发怒嚎叫，波浪混浊，直冲天空；太阳星星黯然无光，高山峻岭隐藏形迹；商人旅客无法成行，桅杆倾倒，船桨折断；傍晚昏天黑地，老虎怒吼，猿猴悲啼。此时此刻来登楼，就会令人百感交集，或因离开国都而怀念家乡，或因奸人诽谤而忧虑，或因小人讥笑而恐惧，进而伤心惨目，一派萧条，极度感概而悲愤不已！

英译：

A long spell of wet weather, as it is, will cling to here several months constantly, reluctant to clear up. Wailing wind roars and turbid waves dash to the sky. The sun and stars are obscured and the high mountains withdraw from the scene. Masts falling down and oars being broken, businessmen and travelers cannot set out. The sky becomes gloomy at dusk and tigers roar and monkeys cry. Stepping onto this building at this very moment, one cannot but have all sorts of feelings welling up in his mind, such as yearning for his native place after leaving his own motherland, worrying about being slandered and afraid of being sneered, as well as being torn by sorrow and anger while a state of desolation striking his eyes. 

原文：

至若春和景明，波澜不惊，上下天光，一碧万顷；沙鸥翔集，锦鳞游泳，岸芷汀兰，郁郁青青。而或长烟一空，皓月千里，浮光跃金，静影沈璧，渔歌互答，此乐何极！登斯楼也，则有心旷神怡，宠辱偕忘、把酒临风，其喜洋洋者矣！

白话：

可等到象融融春日来临时，就会别有天地：涟漪泛起，水天一色，碧绿无边；沙鸥飞翔，群聚于此，鱼儿欢悦，水中畅游；岸边香草生，岛上兰花放，芳香馥郁，郁郁葱葱。有时大片的烟雾完全消散了，明月照耀着千里大地，浮动的月光象闪耀着的金光，静静的月影象现下的白璧，渔夫的歌声互相唱和，这种快乐哪有穷尽！在这时登上岳阳楼，就有心胸开朗，精神愉快；荣辱全忘，举酒临风，高兴极了的种种感概和神态了。

英译：

While in spring, the sky clears up and the sunshine is warm. Without waves on water surface, the boundless green lake and the vast blue sky add radiance and beauty to each other. Flocks of gulls sometimes fly, sometimes perch. Beautiful fishes cruise, gently swaying with currents. Lush and green, fragrant herbs at the bank and orchids on the little islands send forth rich fragrance. Occasionally with a large haze disappearing, a bright moon, while shining in the sky, overlooks the immense world. The floating moon light is like jumping gold, while the still moon shadow, like a sinking white jade. And the fishermen are singing in a same tune. How could their joy know any bounds? Stepping onto this building at this particular time, one would be in a cheerful frame of mind and therefore forget either honor or disgrace. Bathed in wind with a cup of wine in hand, he would be filled with unlimited jubilation.

原文：

嗟夫！予尝求古仁人之心，或异二者之为，何哉？不以物喜，不以己悲，居庙堂之高，则忧其民；处江湖之远，则忧其君。是进亦忧，退亦忧；然则何时而乐耶？其必曰：“先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐矣！”噫！微斯人，吾谁与归！时六年九月十五日。

白话：

哎！我也曾探究过古代品德高尚者的情怀，或许和上述两种都不同，为什么呢？就是因为他们身处顺境而不得意忘形，身处逆境而不悲观失望，在朝廷为官，担忧的是百姓，在底层为民牵挂的是君王。在朝也忧虑，在野也忧虑；那么何时才能快乐呢？他们势必会说：“天下人忧愁之前就忧愁，天下人快乐之后才快乐！”嘿！如果没有这种人，我该和谁在一起呢？

英译：

Oh! I once probed the feelings of the ancient men of integrity. Their feelings may be different with the above-mentioned two sorts. Why? Their happiness was not because of the good situation which they were in and their sadness was not because of their own tragic lot. When in exalted positions in the imperial court, they worried about the common people. While in the remote places, they worried about their lord. It is that when being officials, they were heavy-hearted, after retiring from office, they were still heavy-hearted. Then when do they feel joyful? They are certain to say: “We feel sorrowful before the people do and feel joyful after the people do.” Oh! If there are no this sort of people, whom I should go together with? September the 15^th, the 6^th year of Qingli, Song Dynasty.（09-15-1046）