雙語詩歌翻譯|《古代寓言·鄒忌比美》

《中華經(jīng)典故事:戰(zhàn)國策故事》內(nèi)容簡介：中華五千年文明，留下了許多膾炙人口的經(jīng)典故事。女媧造人、刻舟求劍、蘇武牧羊、美人計、新亭對泣、割發(fā)代首、鄒忌比美……這些故事穿越歷史、代代相傳、歷久彌新，它們彰顯著中華民族的傳統(tǒng)美德，濃縮了許多做人、做事的道理和智慧，同時還是弘揚中華優(yōu)秀傳統(tǒng)文化、揭示紛繁歷史變遷的窗口。

《古代寓言·鄒忌比美》

鄒忌修八尺有余，而形貌麗，朝服衣冠，窺鏡，謂其妻曰：“我與城北徐公孰美？”其妻曰：“君美甚，徐公何能及君也！” ——城北徐公，齊國之美麗者也。忌不自信，而復(fù)問其妾曰：“吾與徐公孰美？”妾曰：“徐公何能及君也！”旦日，客從外來，與坐談，問之：“吾與徐公孰美？”客曰：“徐公不若君之美也。”明日，徐公來。孰視之，自以為不如；窺鏡而視，又弗為遠甚。暮寢而思之曰：“吾妻之美我者，私我也；妾之美我者，畏我也；客之美我者，欲有求于我也?！?

——《戰(zhàn)國策》

Which was the More Handsome

Lord Zou Ji of the state of Qi was six feet tall and a fine figure of a man. One morning he dressed himself smartly, and studied himself in the mirror.

“Which is more handsome,” he asked his wife, “Lord Xu of the north city or I?”

“You are ever so handsome,” replied his wife. “How can Lord Xu of the north city or I?”

Since Lord Xu of the north city was famed for his good looks throughout the state, Zou Ji did not altogether believe his wife. He repeated his question to his concubine.

“How can Lord Xu compare with you?” cried the concubine.

Later that morning a protégé came in, and Zou Ji put the same question to him.

“You are by far the more handsome,” replied this man.

The next day Lord Xu called, and a careful scrutiny convinced Zou Ji that Xu's good looks far surpassed his. He studied himself in the mirror, and undoubtedly he was the plainer of the two.

That night in bed he reached the following conclusion: “My wife said I was more handsome because she is biased. My concubine said so because she is afraid. And my protégé said so because he wants something from me!”

--Warring States Anecdotes