The first conversation between Qu Yuan and the fisherman in "The Biography of Qu Yuan" reveals that Qu Yuan's tragedy is the tragedy of the times. The second dialogue highlighted Qu Yuan's noble character: he would rather die in the belly of a fish than live in idiocy. It contains the author's unswerving faith.
Original text:
As for the riverside, Qu Yuan was released by the Yinze River, with a haggard color and a withered appearance. When the fisherman saw it, he asked, "Isn't your son a Sanlu official? Why are you here?" Qu Yuan said, "The whole world is turbid but I am alone pure. Everyone is drunk but I am alone awake. This is how I see release."
The Fisherman said: "A sage is not stagnant in things, but can move with the world. The whole world is turbid, why not let it flow and make waves? Everyone is drunk, why not feed the dregs and sip the wine?" Why do you hold Yu in your arms and let yourself go?"
Qu Yuan said: "I heard that those who are newly bathed must shake their crowns, and those who are newly bathed must shake their clothes. Check it out, would you rather go to the river and be buried in the middle of the river fish's belly? How could you be so white and be so warm as a worm?"
Vernacular Translation :
Qu Yuan arrived at the riverside, with his hair loose, and chanted while walking by the swamp. His face was haggard and his appearance was as lifeless as a dead tree. When the fisherman saw him, he asked, "Aren't you a doctor from Sanlu? Why are you here?" Qu Yuan said, "The whole world is turbid, but I am the only one who is innocent; everyone is drunk, but I am the only one who is sober. Therefore, he was Exile."
The fisherman said: "Smart and sage people are not bound by external things, but can follow the changes in the world. Why not follow the trend and add fuel to the chaos? Everyone is intoxicated, why don't you eat some wine grains and drink some thin wine? Why do you want to have the quality of a beautiful jade, but let yourself be exiled?" Qu Yuan said: "I heard that those who have just washed their hair must be. To flick off the dust on your hat, you must shake off the dust on your clothes after taking a bath. Who would rather throw his innocent body into the long river and be buried in the river fish? How can you let your noble character suffer the dirt of the world?"
Extended information:
"The Biography of Qu Yuan" is excerpted from "Historical Records of Qu Yuan Jia" by Sima Qian of the Western Han Dynasty? The part about Qu Yuan in "Biographies of Life" is a biography with a unique style. This is the earliest complete historical material about Qu Yuan and an important basis for studying Qu Yuan's life.
"The Biography of Qu Yuan" mainly narrates Qu Yuan's life and deeds. It uses a combination of narrative and discussion to warmly praise Qu Yuan's patriotism, political ability and noble moral character, and severely condemns the mediocrity of King Huai of Chu. And the insidiousness of Shangguan doctor and Ling Yin Zilan. The life story of Qu Yuan described in this article, especially the tragic political experiences, shows that Qu Yuan's life is closely related to the rise and fall of Chu State.
About the author:
Sima Qian (145 BC - cannot be tested). Historian and essayist of the Western Han Dynasty. Sima Tan's son was appointed Taishi Ling. He was castrated for defending Li Ling's defeat and surrender, and was later appointed Zhongshu Ling. He worked hard to continue to complete the historical books he wrote, and was honored as Shi Qian, Tai Shigong and the father of history by later generations. His representative works include "Historical Records", "Report to Ren Shaoqing", etc.