Shi Kuang said:
师旷说：
Shi Kuang said:
师旷说：
Ping Gong said:
平公说：
One day, Ping Gong, the King of the State of Jin, said to his minister Shi Kuang:
有一天，晋国君主晋平公对他的臣子师旷说：
"I am over 70 years old. Though I "am eager to read some books, I feel it is too late."
“我已经七十多岁了，虽然很想读些书，但是，总觉得时间太晚了！
"How dare I, a blind minister, make fun of Your Majesty? I heard that when a man in his youth is fond of studying, he is like the rising sun, brilliant and magnificent; when a man in the prime of life is fond of studying, he is like the sun at noon, with still half a day's good time ahead; when a man in his old age is fond of studying, he is like the flame of a candle. Though the light is failing, it is better than groping in the dark."
“我这个双目失明的臣子，哪里敢和大王开玩笑！我听说，一个人在少年的时候好学，就像初升的太阳那样，辉煌而灿烂；壮年的时候好学，犹如正午的太阳，还有半天的好时光呢；老年的时候好学，就像蜡烛的火焰一样。蜡烛的光亮虽然是有限的，但是有了它，总比在黑暗中摸索着前进要好些吧！
"Too late? Why don't you light the candle?"
“时间太晚吗？为卜么不把蜡烛点起来呢？
"I am serious. But you go so far as to make fun of me!"
“我和你说正经话，怎么，你竟和我开起玩笑来了！
Hearing Shi Kuang's words, Ping Gong of Jin said with pleasure:
听了师旷的话，晋平公高兴地说：
"How well you have put it!"
“你说得多好啊！