Introduction to Literary Chinese - Lesson 14, Text 4
Adapted from the 1927 book by J. Brandt
Grammatical section
THE PARTICLES OF APPROACHING ACTION
將 且 卽 幾 殆
Examples of using the particles of approaching action
① 島之將死其鳴也哀人之將死其言也善
When a bird is about to die, its notes are mournful. When a man is about to die, his words are good.
② 國家將興必有禎祥國家將亡必有妖孽
When a country is about to flourish, there are sure to be happy omens; and when it is about to perish, there are sure to be unlucky omens.
③ 天將以夫子爲木鐸
Heaven is going to use (your) Master as a bell with a wooden tongue. Note. The 木鐸 was a metal bell with a wooden tongue, shaken in making announcements, or to call the people together. Like that bell, Heaven would employ Confucius to proclaim the truth and right.
④ 夫子何以知其將見殺
How do you know, Master, that he is going to be killed?
⑤ 將開船時刻
At the time of sailing.
⑥ 今吾尙病病愈我且往見
At present I am still not well. When I am better, I will go and sec (him).
⑦ 吾今則可以見完不直則道不見我且直之
To-day I am able to see (him). (But) if I do not correct (his errors), the true principles will not be fully evident. I am going to correct him.
⑧ 船即開
The boat is going to sail.
⑨ 雨即下
It is going to rain.
⑩ 月幾望
The moon is nearly full.
⑪ 時幾至
The time has nearly come.
⑫ 夜殆牛
The night is nearly half gone.