文／晉．陶淵明（365～427）

人生無根蒂，飄如陌上塵；

分散逐風轉，此已非常身。

落地為兄弟，何必骨肉親？

得歡當作樂，鬥酒聚比鄰。

盛年不重來，一日難再晨；

及時當勉勵，歲月不待人。

──選自《陶淵明集》

Miscellaneous Poems (Excerpt)

Tao Yuanming (365 - 427, Jin Dynasty)

English translation: Venerable Zhi Yue

Life is without roots,

drifting like road dust;

Scattered by the wind,

this already a temporary life.

We set foot on the earth as brothers,

must we be related by blood?

Be cheerful on joyful occasions,

gather neighbors when there’s wine.

For youth once gone, never returns,

just as a day only dawns once.

Make an effort without delay,

for time does not wait for anyone.

── from Tao Yuanming Ji

(Complete Works of Tao Yuanming)