On the Birth of His Son

洗儿戏作


人皆养子望聪明,我被聪明误一生。
惟愿孩儿愚且鲁,无灾无难到公卿。

Families, when a child is born
Want it to be intelligent.
I, through intelligence,
Having wrecked my whole life,
Only hope the baby will prove
Ignorant and stupid.
Then he will crown a tranquil life
By becoming a Cabinet Minister.

This entry was posted in Personification and tagged ,
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  • Author Spotlight

    Arthur Waley

    (submitted posthumously)(1889–1966) A noted English Orientalist and Sinologist.

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