2. Reading on a Winter Night.
The ancients learned nothing, and it takes time to grow old.
What you get on paper is so shallow that you never know what you have to do.
3. Translation
The ancients spared no effort in their studies, and often achieved nothing when they were old.
After all, the knowledge gained from books is not perfect. If you want to understand the truth deeply, you must practice it yourself.
4. Creative background
During his five years in Song Ningzong, the poet indulged in his research and liked to read poetry collections on cold winter nights. The north wind roared outside the window, and the air conditioning was oppressive. In the silent night, the poet could not restrain his surging emotions. He wrote this philosophical poem and gave it to his son Yu Zi with deep affection.
5. Introduction to the author
Lu You (1125—1210) was born in Yin Shan, Yuezhou (now Shaoxing, Zhejiang). Poets in the Southern Song Dynasty wrote nearly 10,000 poems, as well as a large number of words and essays, among which poetry achieved the highest success.