A Simple, Short Biography

 “The Biography of Mr. Five-Willows” (五柳先生傳 by 陶淵明) was an ancient Chinese essay chosen by John D’Agata  for his book "The Lost Origins of the Essay", an expansive and exhilarating world tour of innovative nonfiction writing.

"五柳先生傳" was a very simple and short biography.

It was translated by David Hinton, an American poet, and translator (especially of ancient Chinese poetry). He studied Chinese at Cornell University, and in Taiwan.

The following is his English translation of "五柳先生傳":

"No one knows where he came from. His given and literary names are also a mystery. But we know there were five willows growing beside his house, which is why he used the name Master Five-Willows. At peace in idleness, rarely speaking, he had no longing for fame or fortune. He loved to read books, and yet never puzzled over their profound insights. But whenever he came upon some realization, he was so pleased that he forgot to eat.

He was a wine-lover by nature, but couldn't afford it very often. Everyone knew this, so when they had wine, they'd call him over. And when he drank, it was always bottoms-up. He'd be drunk in no time; then he'd go back home, alone and with no regrets over where things were going.

In the loneliness of his meager wall, there was little shelter from wind and sun. His short coat was patched and sewn. And made from gourd and split bamboo, his cup and bowl were often empty. But he kept writing poems to amuse himself, and they show something of who he was. He went on like this, forgetting all gain and loss, until he came naturally to his end.

In appraisal we say: Don't make yourself miserable agonizing over impoverish obscurity, and don't wear yourself out scrambling for money and honor. Doesn't that describe this kind of man perfectly? He'd just get merrily drunk and write to cheer himself up. He must have lived in the most enlightened and ancient of times. "

Hinton makes English sing like the original Chinese!


五柳先生傳－－－陶淵明

先生不知何許人也，亦不詳其姓字。宅邊有五柳樹，因以為號焉。
閑靜少言，不慕榮利。好讀書，不求甚解；每有會意，便欣然忘食。

性嗜酒，家貧不能常得；親舊知其如此，或置酒而招之。造飲輒盡，
期在必醉，既醉而退，曾不吝情去留。

環堵蕭然，不蔽風日，短褐穿結，簞瓢履空，晏如也。常著文章自娛，頗非己志。忘懷得失，以此自終。

贊曰：黔婁之妻有言：「不戚戚於貧賤，不汲汲於富貴。」味其言，茲若人之儔乎？銜觴賦詩，以樂其志。無懷氏之民歟？葛天氏之民歟？


Yeh Tze