Introduction to Literary Chinese - Lesson 3, Text 1
Adapted from the 1927 book by J. Brandt
Vocabulary section transcribed with help from with help from 武克富強/Võ Khắc Phú Cường
五德
Five Virtues
田饒謂魯哀公曰。
Tien-jao said to Duke Ai of Lu,
君不見夫鷄乎。
"Have you not noticed that cock, sir?"
頭戴冠者。文也。
His wearing the comb upon his head is civic virtue.
足撐距者。武也。
His stretching the spurs on his feet is chivalry.
敵在前而敢鬪者。勇也。
His daring to fight with an enemy in front of him is valor.
見食相呼。義也。
His calling his hens when he finds some food is loyalty.
司晨。不失時。信也。
His not losing any time in overseeing the dawn is trustworthiness.
今之人。能具此五德者。實不多覯。
Among men of the present, those who can supply these five virtues are indeed not often to be seen."