A Fate of Poverty

Ziyu and Zisang were friends.

子輿與子桑友。

It rained for ten days.

而霖雨十日。

Ziyu said, "Zisang has probably fallen ill!"

子輿曰：「子桑殆病矣！」

He wrapped up a bundle of food and set out to share it with Zisang.

裹飯而往食之。

When he arrived at Zisang's door, he heard Zisang playing the zither, half singing, half crying.

至子桑之門，則若歌若哭，鼓琴。

Barely able to keep his voice going, Zisang sang these lines: "Father! Mother! Heaven! Mankind!"

曰：「父邪母邪！天乎人乎！」有不任其聲，而趨舉其詩焉。

Ziyu entered Zisang's house.

子輿入。

Ziyu asked, "That poem you just sang – why does it sound so sad?"

曰：「子之歌詩，何故若是？」

Zisang replied, "I have been wondering who has made my life reach rock bottom, but haven't found any answers.

曰：「吾思乎使我至此極者而弗得也。

Surely my parents never wished for me to be poor!

父母豈欲吾貧哉！

Heaven does not discriminate in covering us; Earth does not discriminate in bearing us.

天無私覆，地無私載。

Surely Heaven and Earth haven't singled me out and made me poor!

天地豈私貧我哉！

I have been trying in vain to understand the cause of my situation. But clearly it is fate that my life has come to this!"

求其為之者而不得也。然而至此極者，命也夫！」

Analysis

Our lot in life is fate. We should not seek to blame others for it.