Old and studious, bright as a candle. What is the bright side and the dark side of a candle? What do you mean?

"Old and studious, bright as a candle. Is the candle bright or not? " Love of learning in old age is like lighting a candle and shining to learn. Which is better to walk by candlelight or in darkness and ignorance? This sentence comes from Liu Xiang's Shuo Yuan in Han Dynasty.

Original text:

Duke Jinping asked Shi Kuang, "I'm seventy years old. I'm afraid I'm eager to learn!"

Shi Kuang said, "Why not light a candle?" Gong Ping said, "An is a minister. Are you kidding me?"

Shi Kuang said, "How dare a blind minister play with the monarch? I heard it: less and more eager to learn, like the morning glow; Strong and studious, like the sun and the light of China; Old and studious, bright as a candle. What is the light of the candle? "

Translation:

Duke Jinping asked Shi Kuang: "I am seventy years old this year, and I am afraid it is too late to study again!"

Shi Kuang said, "Why don't you light a candle for lighting?"

Jin Pinggong said, "What about those who dare to play their own monarch for the sake of their servants?"

Shi Kuang said, "How dare I fool the monarch? When I heard that I was a teenager, I loved learning, just like studying in the mild sunshine in the morning; Love learning in the prime of life, just like studying in the hot sun at noon; Old people love learning, just like lighting candles and shining to learn. Which is better, walking by candlelight or walking in darkness? "

Jin Pinggong said, "Great!"

Extended data:

Shuoyuan is an important literary work with rich literary connotations, including philosophical aphorisms, satirical narrative, strong storytelling and dialogue-oriented style. Except 16 volume Tan Cong, Shuo Yuan has the most titles of independent short stories, with concise and vivid words, fresh and meaningful words and high literary appreciation value.

Shuoyuan, also known as Xinyuan, is a collection of ancient miscellaneous historical novels, which was compiled by Liu Xiang and completed in Hongjia four years ago (17). After the original twenty volumes, there are only five volumes left, most of which are lost. After song dynasty and retrieval, there are 20 volumes, each with its own title.

Brief introduction of the author

Liu Xiang (former 77- former 6), formerly known as Gengsheng, was born in Peixian County, Jiangsu Province, the brother of Chu Gaozu, the fourth grandson of Chu, and a writer and scholar in the Western Han Dynasty. Together with his son Liu Xin, he advocated the theory of "harmony between man and nature" and made great contributions to the cataloging and arrangement of ancient books. His works include Biography of Hong Fan's Five Elements, Seven Outline, New Preface, Shuoyuan, Biography of Lienv, etc.

Baidu encyclopedia-shuoyuan