This sentence comes from Zhou Dunyi's "Love Lotus Theory" in the Northern Song Dynasty. The original text:
The flowers of land and water plants are very fragrant. Tao Jinyuan clearly loves chrysanthemums. Since Li Tang came, people all over the world have loved peonies. Love lotus alone, dirt-free, clear but not demon. Straight outside, not crawling, fragrant and clear. It is slim and elegant, so you can look at it from a distance without looking ridiculous.
Want to call chrysanthemum, the hermit of flowers; Peony, blooming with wealth; Lotus, the gentleman of flowers. Hey! The love of chrysanthemum flowers is rarely heard after Tao; Who gave the lotus love? Peony love is suitable for many people.
Full text translation:
There are many kinds of terrestrial herbs and woody flowers, which are worth loving. Tao Yuanming of Jin Dynasty only loved chrysanthemums. Since Li in Tang Dynasty, most people in the world like peony. I only love that the lotus grows from the accumulated silt and is not polluted, but it doesn't look enchanting after being washed with clear water. Its stem passes through the middle, and its shape is straight, without connection or branch. The fragrance is more fragrant and stands clean in the water. People can watch (lotus) from a distance, but it is not easy to play with it.
I think chrysanthemum is a hermit in flowers; Peony is a rich person in flowers; Lotus is a noble flower. Alas! Tao Yuanming seldom heard about the love of chrysanthemum after that. Who else likes lotus as much as I do? Of course, there are many people who love peony!
This sentence describes the precious spirit of lotus in the mud, but it is spotless, unconventional, self-loving and naive; The colorful description of lotus's manners reposes the author's affirmation and pursuit of ideal personality, and also reflects the author's contempt for the secular mentality of coveting wealth and pursuing fame and fortune and his pursuit of a clean and honest life.
This article is elegant and refined, concise, catchy and rhyming, which is really a rare short story in ancient Chinese. Moreover, one article with two explanations, heavy content and far-reaching artistic conception, and its words are similar to vernacular Chinese, which is easy to read and understand, so it has become a popular product in later generations.
reference data
Ancient Poetry Network: http://www.gushiwen.org/mingju_1102.aspx.