2021-02-04英语与论语22

A disciple asked Confucius for the meaning of the following verse:

Her coquettish smiles,

   How dimpling they are;

  Her beautiful eyes,

   How beaming they are;

  O fairest is she,

   Who is simple and plain.

 "In painting," answered Confucius,"ornamentation and colour are matters of secondary importance conpared with the groundwork."

 "Then art itself," said the disciple, "is a matter of 'secondary' consideration?"

 "My friend," replied Confucius,"You have given me an idea.Now I can talk of poetry with you."

中文：子夏问曰：“ ‘巧笑倩兮，美目盼兮，素以为绚兮。’何谓也？” 子曰：“绘事后素。” 曰：“礼后乎？” 子曰：“起予者商也！” 始可与言《诗》已矣。”

注释：一位学生问孔子下面这些诗句的意思：

      她迷人的笑容，

        酒窝浅浅；

     她美丽的眼睛，

        欢悦扑闪；

   噢，她是最美的，

       朴素而简单。

“在绘画中，”孔子回答说，“与它的本质相比，装饰和色彩是次要的。”

“那么，艺术本身，”这位学生说，“也是个应被看做‘次要’的东西吧？”

“我的朋友，” 孔子回答说，“你启发了我。现在我可以和你谈论诗了。”