"Life Is Hard" and Reading "Han Kiln Fu"

Name: "Life Is Hard" and Reading "Han Kiln Fu"
Author: Written by Lu Mengzheng (Song Dynasty); Translated by Unnamed

“命苦”就读《寒窑赋》

by Written by Lu Mengzheng (Song Dynasty); Translated by Unnamed (托名（宋）吕蒙正著;无名译)

Status: Completed
Source: Fanqie

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Stats

9.0Score

5Chapters

Synopsis

[Traditional classic + accurate literal translation + in-depth analysis + self-motivation + anti-fatalism] Negative view is fate, positive view is wisdom. In an uncertain world, settle your mind! "Han Kiln Ode" has more than 700 words in total and was written under the auspices of Lu Mengzheng, a famous prime minister of the Northern Song Dynasty. The author uses the first-person voice to narrate the story from an unkempt beggar living in a cold kiln to the prime minister of the dynasty who is under one person, with rich clothes and fine food. Then I analyzed the reasons and believed that I had gained the ultimate wisdom to see through the warmth and coldness of human relationships and the clouds of wealth, and condensed it into this article. The author tries to answer: Why do some people try their best, but things still backfire? Why do some people start from very low levels but turn around overnight? The answer is: God has unpredictable circumstances, and people have misfortunes and blessings. On a negative note, this book is indeed full of fatalism. From a positive perspective, it is a "transshipment psychological construction" for modern people. When you feel "life is hard", reading it will help you let go of your paranoia; when you feel "confused", reading it will help you learn to wait for the opportunity. There is no need to arbitrarily think that this is superstition, but a kind of great wisdom that adapts to the weather and precipitates oneself. This book is divided into three parts: the original text, the translation, and the analysis. The translation is more literal, with the emphasis on analysis and a thorough dismantling of the original text.

Reader comments

The article is easy to understand. With the simplest words and the most transparent insights, it describes the ups and downs of life and reveals the destiny of people. It is not only a spiritual comfort for the frustrated, but also a sober warning for the successful. It is also the wisdom of life engraved in the bones of the Chinese people.
5 likes4mo ago
Taking Lu Mengzheng's legendary experience from cold kiln to prime minister as a guide, he condensed the life's misfortunes and blessings, poverty and wealth into a poem of more than 700 words. The book first points out the impermanence of fate by saying that "there are unpredictable events in the sky, and people have misfortunes and blessings all day long", and then lists the ups and downs of ancient and modern figures to reveal the law of "fate is determined by fate, and cycles of ups and downs". The author emphasizes that there is no need to be depressed in the face of adversity, nor to be complacent due to good times; only by observing integrity and uprightness, staying in poverty and not being humble, and being rich and not arrogant, can we maintain a firm foothold in the changing situation.
4 likes27d ago
This is a short article, but it contains profound truths. Of course, there is a certain notion of fatalism, but there is also a positive side to it that needs to be seen in two.
2 likes6mo ago
Great! Give people a positive and progressive spirit
1 like6mo ago
Universal oh oh oh oh
6mo ago
Although the article is short, it teaches people principles and is easy to understand, which is great
2mo ago
The article quotes from classics, is easy to understand, and inspires deep thought.
5mo ago