Introduction to Literary Chinese - Lesson 22, Text 3

Adapted from the 1927 book by J. Brandt

Grammatical section.

THE EXCLAMATORY PARTICLES.

The exclamatory particles are used to express admiration, surprise, delight, lamentation, etc. and to form questions when a negative of the proposition conveyed is implied.

These particles are: (or ) .

used in the middle of a sentence serves sometimes as an expletive (ex. 13, 14, 15, 16). joined with forms an exclamation of lamentation: “alas!” “it is all over!” (ex. 11, 12).

is often used in the middle of a sentence after individual words giving a strong emphasis to them (ex. 18, 19, 20). and are also used in combination with the interrogative particles to complete interrogative clauses (see lesson XXIII, gram. section, ex. 5, 6, 8, 41, 53).

is sometimes used alone, sometimes in combination with , or put at the end of a clause (ex. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27). The particles , and are also used as interrogative particles to express ordinary questions (see lesson XXIII, gram. section).

Examples of using the exclamatory particles:

① 。。
Filial piety and fraternal submission!-are they not the root of all benevolent actions?
② 。。
The Master's mode of asking information!-is it not different from that of other men?
③ 。。。
The Master said, “Never flagging when I set forth anything to him; ah! that is Hui.”
④ 。
How greatly filial was Shun!
⑤ 。。。。
The Master said, “He who puts on an appearance of stern firmness, while inwardly he is weak, is like small mean people; is he not like the thief who breaks through a wall?”
⑥ 。。
Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?
⑦ 。。
It is Heaven who knows me!
⑧ 。
How majestic was he (Yao) in the works which he accomplished!
⑨ 。。。。
The Master said, “Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and virtue is at hand.”
⑩ 。。
Though I may not get a great burial, shall I die upon the road?
⑪ 。。。
The Master said, “It is all over! I have not yet seen one who could perceive his faults, and inwardly accuse himself.”
⑫ 。。。
The Master said, “It is all over! I have not seen one who loves virtue as he loves beauty.”
⑬ 。。。
The Master said, “If (a minister) makes his own conduct correct, what difficulty will he have in assisting in government?”
⑭ 。。。
If the words (of a ruler) be good, is it not also good that no one opposes them? But if they are not good, and no one opposes them, is it not (then) that a single sentence may bring the ruin of the country?
⑮ 。
I have no pleasure in being a prince.
⑯ 。
Food and raiment thereupon become plentiful.
⑰ 。。。
The Master said, “Small indeed was the capacity of Kuan-Chung!”
⑱ 。。
Great indeed was Yao as a sovereign!
⑲ 。。
True indeed is this saying!
⑳ 。。
Beautiful indeed is the garden!
㉑ 。。
Can it be without some reason that he has invited me?
㉒ 。
Do I not think of you?
㉓ 。
How should he not know that when a man is old he must die?
㉔ 。
How can one sanction this matter, which will trouble the people and trouble the officials?
㉕ 。
How can it be thus?
㉖ 。
How can this be right?
㉗ 。
Is it not great?
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