Stone Forest Nightingale Chirp

Author: (Song) Ye Mengde / Li Xin (ed.)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: In the fifth year of Xuanhe, I had chosen a separate residence in Shilin Valley of Bianshan, gradually secluded from the city, no longer engaging in worldly affairs. Friends and relatives often visited and chatted with me. Under the rugged cliffs, there was nothing to entertain us, and our conversations often revolved around historical anecdotes and old tales, or the noble words and virtuous deeds of ancient and modern sages, which had been passed down by the elders and renowned figures, as well as the experiences I had encountered in the central court. Even the words of farmers and elderly villagers, along with witty and humorous remarks, sometimes brought us into laughter. In the secluded valley with nothing to do, I occasionally came across writing materials and wrote them down. In the second year of Jianyan, I returned to Ruyun to escape the chaos. After the devastation of war, wells and paths were buried, and the guests of the past had mostly perished, with only half remaining. I too had grown old. Having endured repeated hardships, my will had weakened, and the daily sights and sounds I had witnessed were gradually forgotten. Therefore, I ordered them compiled into ten volumes and named them "Shilin Yanyu." The words were originally in no particular order, and I no longer rearranged them. Confucius once discussed Yu Zhong and Yi, saying, "Those who live in seclusion speak freely." He also discussed Gongming about Gong Shuwen, saying, "The Master speaks only when the time is right, and people do not dislike his words." The Master replied, "That is so." Whether to speak or not to speak, how dare I comment on it? However, if one speaks without originally intending to, then even though I may have spoken, it can be considered that I had never spoken at all. On the 15th day of the eighth month, written by the Shilin Mountain Hermit.