Qu Yuan 屈原

poet · banished minister · Chu, Warring States China · 340?–278? BC

A minister and poet of the state of Chu. Slandered and driven out, he wandered the riverbanks and left a long poem.

Posts

3rd century BC

The road is long and stretches far away. I shall go up and down, seeking.

路漫漫其脩遠兮，吾將上下而求索。

"Encountering Sorrow" (Li sao), in the Songs of Chu

3rd century BC · Handed down as the words of Qu Yuan

The whole world is muddy and I alone am clean. Everyone is drunk and I alone am sober. That is why I was banished.

舉世皆濁我獨清，衆人皆醉我獨醒，是以見放。

"The Fisherman," in the Songs of Chu

3rd century BC · The song the fisherman sang, smiling, as he tapped his oar and went away after hearing what Qu Yuan had said

When the Canglang's water is clear, I can wash my hat strings in it. When the Canglang's water is muddy, I can wash my feet.

滄浪之水清兮，可以濯吾纓。滄浪之水濁兮，可以濯吾足。

"The Fisherman," in the Songs of Chu: the fisherman's song