Translation:
Victory in a hundred battles may not necessarily allow you to recognize your opponent, but you can learn some medical skills by breaking your arm many times.
1. Original text
A young man has lost his ambition and does not follow the times. It's just that the rope is straight, and the room can be deceived. ?
It is difficult to defeat the enemy with a hundred victories, but a good doctor can only be defeated by three defeats. If you are not disappointed in life, how can you admire your close friends?
2. Translation
I had lofty ambitions when I was young, and I followed the straight path and did not follow the secular trend.
I just say that justice is like a rope and cannot be taken lightly. How do you know that the people who engage in conspiracy are despicable and vicious?
Victory in a hundred battles may not necessarily allow you to recognize your opponent, but you can learn some medical skills by breaking your arm many times.
If a person has not experienced any setbacks, can he recognize his own shortcomings?
3. Source
"Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty"·Tang Dynasty poet Liu Yuxi's "Three Poems on the Study of Ruan Gong Style" Part One
Extended Information
1. Creation background
"Three Poems Learning from Ruan Gong's Style" was written when Liu Yuxi was demoted to Langzhou. It is an imitation of Ruan Ji's "Poems of Ode to Huai". After the failure of Yongzhen's reform, the author firmly believed that his political views were correct and was still full of confidence in the future. Therefore, the author wanted to sum up the lessons of the failure and prepare to continue fighting. The three poems are all manifestations of this positive spirit.
2. Appreciation of Works
It summarizes the experiences and lessons gained by the poet in the political struggle. The poet has great ambitions since he was young, advocating the straight path and not following the popular customs. However, because he has not been involved in the world for a long time and has a lot of experience, he still lacks sufficient understanding of the complex social reality and the ever-changing political situation. The poet imagined the political struggle too simply, and estimated that the opponents of the struggle were too kind. He never expected that they would engage in conspiracy and secretly betray their enemies.
This is the poet’s self-summary of the reasons and lessons for the failure of the political struggle. The poet is not negative or pessimistic in the face of failure. He understands himself from "frustration", sums up his experience and draws lessons, so as to actively prepare to continue fighting.
3. Introduction to the author
Liu Yuxi (772-842), courtesy name Mengde, was born in Luoyang (now Luoyang, Henan).
In the ninth year of Zhenyuan (793), he and Liu Zongyuan were ranked as Jinshi. He also entered the erudite macroci subject. In the eleventh year of Zhenyuan (795), the Ministry of Civil Affairs also selected scholars and granted the prince the title of proofreader. After becoming an official, he actively participated in political movements. In January of the 21st year of Zhenyuan (805), Tang Dezong passed away and Shunzong ascended the throne. In August, the reign of Emperor Yongzhen was changed, and Wang Shuwen and others were appointed to carry out the reform, which is known as the "Yongzhen Reform" in history.
Half a year later, the reform failed, Shunzong was forced to abdicate, Xianzong ascended the throne, and eight people including Liu Yuxi and Liu Zongyuan were demoted to Sima of the outlying prefecture, known as the "Eight Sima" in history. Liu Yuxi was demoted to be the governor of Lianzhou (now Lian County, Guangdong), and on the way was demoted to the Sima of Langzhou (now Changde, Hunan), and then successively served as the governor of Lianzhou, Kuizhou, Hezhou and other places.
Liu Yuxi wandered throughout his career. Wherever he went, he cared about the suffering of the people and wrote many poems that reflected reality. His poetry creation is as famous as Bai Juyi, and he is also called "Liu Bai". Bai Juyi highly praised him and called him a "poetry hero". His poems and essays are collected in "Liu Mengde's Collected Works".
Baidu Encyclopedia-Learning Three Poems from Ruan Gongti