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Subject:An older-looking calligraphy scroll
Posted By: Tony W. Tue, Sep 12, 2023 IP: 2607:fb91:a32:40a2:d

It would be too much to ask for help with the translation of the whole writing!
I would really appreciate the help with the general idea on what the passage is about🙏
Thanks!
Tony



Subject:Re: An older-looking calligraphy scroll
Posted By: Tony W. Tue, Sep 12, 2023




Subject:Re: An older-looking calligraphy scroll
Posted By: rat Tue, Sep 12, 2023

This is a Tang-era text that has been copied here by a calligrapher named Li Xilin,who is believed to have been active during the late Qing/Republic period. Here is the text as run through Google Translate, with a little fixing of its gross errors:

A deity makes a mountain, not its altitude. Water does not have to be deep. This is a humble house, but I am virtuous.

The moss marks are green on the upper steps, and the grass color is green on the curtains. Talk and laugh with erudite people, no contacts with illiterate bumpkins.

You can tune the plain Qin and read the Golden Sutra. There are no messy ears of silk and bamboo, and there is no laborious shape of case documents.

Zhugelu in Nanyang, Yunting in Western Shuzi.

Confucius said: "What is so shameful?"

https://zh-wikisource-org.translate.goog/zh-hant/%E9%99%8B%E5%AE%A4%E9%8A%98?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

The Chinese text is here: https://zh.wikisource.org/zh-hant/%E9%99%8B%E5%AE%A4%E9%8A%98

Subject:Re: An older-looking calligraphy scroll
Posted By: I.Nagy Wed, Sep 13, 2023

In the meantime i managed to dig up a better translation.

陋室銘 劉禹錫

An Eulogium on a Humble Cell
Liu Yuxi

A mount needs not be high; it becomes noted when on it fairies dwell.
A body of water needs not be deep; it would be ensouled, if a dragon makes it its resting whereabouts.
This hut of mine is a humble one, but I make it virtuously fragrant in repute.
The green moss creeping on the stepping stones and the verdure in the courtyard peeing through the screen do tell the presence of spring.
Here could be heard the table-talks and laughters of renowned scholars, but the rough and gross come not hither their wares to sell.
Here plain table-heptachord could be plucked and golden classics read the worldly cares to quell.
But there are without riotous strings and pipes to confuse the ears, and tedious official documents to ring quietude’s knell.
Zhuge’s recluse cottage at Nanyang and Yang Xiong’s hermit arbour in West Shu, –according to Confucius, wherefore could either one be branded as a humble cell ?

Regards,
I.Nagy

Subject:Re: An older-looking calligraphy scroll
Posted By: Tony W. Wed, Sep 13, 2023

AGAIN, thank you very much both RAT and I. Nagy for your precious time and kind help ... connecting us to concept of such nobly deep thinking and the humble ways of Life through the passage reflecting the wisdom of Eon Past!!!
Tony


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