英文翻譯出師表 (諸葛亮）

05-12

英文翻譯出師表 (諸葛亮/Zhuge Liang)

Pre-Battle Memorandum to His Majesty

(translated by alexcwlin/edited by Adam Lam)

臣亮言：

Minister Liang states:

先帝創業未半而中道崩殂，

Sadly our predecessor Emperor passed away midway through uniting the nation.

今天下三分，益州疲弊，此誠危急存亡之秋也。

Today the country is split up into three kingdoms. Our Shu-Han Empire is in a desperate state. This is truly a critical moment which determines whether we live or die in the days to come.

然侍衛之臣不懈於內，忠志之士忘身於外者，

Yet inside the palace, serving officials work tirelessly; outside staunch soldiers go all out in risking their lives.

蓋追先帝之殊遇，欲報之於陛下也。

That』s because they are indebted to former Emperor』s generous benevolence and wish to pay it forward to you, Your Majesty..

誠宜開張聖聽，以光先帝遺德，恢弘志士之氣，

Indeed this is the time Your Majesty should listen to voices around you, spread goodwill from late Emperor, and boost morale of your followers.

不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失義，以塞忠諫之路也。

This is not the time to have self-doubt in your own ability, and quote misguided examples to block well-intended advice.

宮中府中，俱為一體，陟罰臧否，不宜異同。

Personnel serving in palace and administrative offices belong to one common unit. Assessment standards for reward and penalty should be uniformly applied.

若有作姦犯科及為忠善者，宜付有司論其刑賞，

Where there are incidents of violations or merits, these cases should be referred to officers in charge to evaluate appropriate commendations or punishments.

以昭陛下平明之理，不宜偏私，使內外異法也。

Such measures would demonstrate a policy of fairness and impartiality of Your Majesty. Favoritism is unwise in applying rules in palace different from those in administration.

侍中、侍郎郭攸之、費禕、董允等，此皆良實，志慮忠純，是以先帝簡拔以遺陛下。愚以為宮中之事，事無大小，悉以咨之，然後施行，必得裨補闕漏，有所廣益。

Imperial Advisers and Assistant Ministers such as Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, Dong Yun, etc. are all reliable, trustworthy, honest, and loyal. They were hand-picked by late Emperor and inherited by you. My humble opinion is they should be consulted on matters of all significance and sizes inside the palace before implementation. Their involvements would be beneficial in providing second opinions and pointing out oversights.

將軍向寵，性行淑均，曉暢軍事，試用之於昔日，先帝稱之曰能，是以眾議舉寵為督。愚以為營中之事，悉以咨之，必能使行陣和睦，優劣得所。

General Xiang Chong is righteous in disposition and proficient in military know-how. During his tenure in the old days, our late Emperor praised his competence and he was appointed senior military officer by consensus. My humble opinion is he should be consulted on all army』s matters. His involvement would ensure smoothness in operations and correctness in handling matters of military.

親賢臣，遠小人，此先漢所以興隆也；

Using good people in office to the exclusion of bad ones was the reason why West Han Dynasty prospered.

親小人，遠賢臣，此後漢所以傾頹也。

Using bad people in office to the exclusion of good ones was the reason why East Han Dynasty faltered.

先帝在時，每與臣論此事，未嘗不嘆息痛恨於桓、靈也。

When our late Emperor discussed with me on the corruptions during the reigns under Emperor Huan and Ling, he inevitably agonized over them and sighed.

侍中、尚書、長史、參軍，此悉貞良死節之臣，願陛下親之信之，則漢室之隆，可計日而待也。

Current Imperial Adviser, Minister, Adjutant, and Military Adviser are all faithful and country-first officials. I hope Your Majesty would like them and trust them. In doing so, prosperity of the Han Dynasty would only be a matter of time.

臣本布衣，躬耕於南陽，苟全性命於亂世，不求聞達於諸侯。

I started out as a commoner who farmed in Nanyang while struggling to survive in times of turmoil. It was not my intention to seek fame amongst feudal lords.

先帝不以臣卑鄙，猥自枉屈，三顧臣於草廬之中，咨臣以當世之事，

Our later Emperor was not troubled by my humble status and faraway residence. Three times he condescendingly visited my thatched hut to seek my advice on current affairs.

由是感激，遂許先帝以驅馳。

In appreciation, I promised to avail myself at his disposal.

後值傾覆，受任於敗軍之際，奉命於危難之間，爾來二十有一年矣。先帝知臣謹慎，故臨崩寄臣以大事也。

Later in a period of failures, I accepted appointment when our troops suffered defeat and took orders in times of dangers. Since then twenty-one years has passed. Our late Emperor knew I was prudent. So in his last breaths he entrusted me with all important matters.

受命以來，夙夜憂嘆，恐付託不效，以傷先帝之明，

Since I took up the assignment, I have been worrying days on end that I may not be able to carry out what I was asked to do and fail our late Emperor.

故五月渡瀘，深入不毛。

So in fifth month, I crossed River Lu and went deep into badlands.

今南方已定，甲兵已足，

Now order is restored in the south. Also our troops are well armed and equipped.

當獎率三軍，北定中原，庶竭駑鈍，攘除奸凶，興復漢室，還於舊都。

We should reward military commanders, and take over central plain up north, In mustering my feeble strength, I will get rid of those evil people, restore the Han Dynasty, and return us to the old capital.

此臣所以報先帝而忠陛下之職分也。

It is my duties to repay our late Emperor and show my loyalty to Your Majesty.

至於斟酌損益，進盡忠言，則攸之、禕、允之任也。

Dealing with daily operations and providing advice will be handled by Youzhi, Yi and Yun.

願陛下托臣以討賊興復之效，

It is my wish that Your Majesty grant me the assignment to quell evils and restore our dynasty.

不效，則治臣之罪，以告先帝之靈。

If I fail in these regards, then I am willing to accept the punishment I deserve in consolation to the spirit of our late Emperor.

若無興德之言，則責攸之、禕、允等之慢，以彰其咎；

If words do not go out to propagate Your Majesty』s grace, then Youzhi, Yi and Yun would be at fault and they would be reprimanded for their failings.

陛下亦宜自謀，以咨諏善道，察納雅言，深追先帝遺詔，臣不勝受恩感激。

It is advisable that Your Majesty should take initiative to seek good advice, and wisely choose the sensible ones. Wishes of late Emperor in his final edict should be closely followed, and I』m forever grateful for his words of wisdom.

今當遠離，臨表涕零，不知所言。

Now I am leaving for a long expedition. Tears stream down my cheeks in looking at this memorandum, and I am lost for words.

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