I. Original text
There is no other way to seek the essence of industry than to specialize in Japan. As the saying goes, "multi-skills do not cultivate one's health" means that one is not an expert. I dug many wells, but there was no spring to drink. Brothers always try to be professional. If Jiu Ge is interested in learning Chinese characters, he doesn't have to waste his career. However, if you learn Chinese characters every day, you will definitely lose your spirits and feel them at any time.
Brother Si Liu, I wonder if they are addicted to it. If you are determined to be poor, you must devote yourself to it; Designed to be meaningful. You must read a manuscript; If you are interested in writing ancient prose, you must read a collection of essays. The same is true of all kinds of poems, and so is the trial post. Never run a business, you can do anything to run a business. Tell me, tell me! Never, never!
From then on, I will write to you. Brothers have their own careers, so be sure to make it clear. Besides, I have to ask him in detail, and I can know his ambition by looking at his calligraphy. Any single-minded person must be experienced and suspicious. If you have any ideas, you can tell me and get a reward. If you have any questions, you can ask me for analysis.
-Excerpted from To Emperor Ji of Yuan Di, Wen Chengdi on September 18th, 22nd year of Daoguang.
Second, translation.
There is no other way to seek the depth of a person's learning, only the word "specialized". As the saying goes, "a lot of skills can't maintain a person's livelihood", that is to say, skills should be specialized. I dug many wells, but there was no water to drink. This is a careless mistake at work. In any case, your younger brothers should devote themselves to one subject, such as Jiu Ge's determination to practice calligraphy, and other aspects need not be completely abandoned.
It's just that when you practice copybooks every day, you must never lift your spirits, and you can get in touch with them at any time. As for Brother Si Liu, I don't know if you have a hobby of studying wholeheartedly. If you are interested in exploring the study of ancient classics, you must devote yourself to it; If you are interested in writing an eight-part essay, you must read your own article; If you are interested in writing ancient prose, you must read a collection of works.
The same is true of all kinds of poems, and so is the imperial examination poems. Never do all kinds of studies at the same time, and your mind is not specialized. If you do all kinds of studies at the same time, you will certainly accomplish nothing. Tell me, tell me! Never, never!
Since then, when you write to me, you must explain in detail the research that each of you is engaged in; And if you want to ask me in detail, it doesn't matter how long the text is. After reading your letter in this way, I can know what your ambition is.
Anyone who specializes in a subject must have some experience and some difficult problems to solve. You can tell me what your brothers have learned so that I can enjoy it with you. If you have any questions, please ask me and we will analyze them together. ......