2）画蛇添足 （西汉）刘向
楚有祠者，赐其舍人卮酒。舍人相谓曰：“数人饮之不足，一人饮之有余。请画地为蛇，先成者饮酒。” 一人蛇先成，引酒且饮之，乃左手持卮，右手画蛇曰：“我能为之足！”未成，一人之蛇成夺取卮曰：“蛇固无足，子安能为之足？”遂饮其酒。为蛇足者，终亡其酒。 白话译文：
古代楚国有个人祭过祖宗以后，把一壶酒赏给来帮忙祭祀的门客一壶酒。门客们互相商量说：“大家一起喝这壶酒不足够，一个人喝它还有剩余。要求大家在地上画蛇，先画好的人喝这壶酒。”一个人最先完成了，拿起酒壶准备饮酒，却左手拿着酒壶，右手画蛇，说：“我能够为它画脚。”他还没有把脚画完，另一个人的蛇画好了，抢过他的酒壶，说：“蛇本来就没有脚，你怎么能给它画脚呢?”话刚说完，就把那壶酒喝完了。那个给蛇画脚的人，最终失掉了那壶酒。
英译：The Man Who Draws a Snake and Adds Feet to It
By Liu Xiang of the Western Han Dynasty A native of Chu after worshipping his ancestors gave his retainers a pot of wine.One of the retainers said, “It is insufficient for all of us, but too much for one of us.I suggest, therefore, that we draw snakes on the ground, and the one who first finishes drawing the snake will win the pot of wine.” When one retainer had completed his drawing, he took the pot to drink.As he held it in his left hand, he continued to draw the snake with his right hand, saying: “I can add feet to it.” While he was adding feet to his snake, another man who had then drawn his snake snatched the pot from his hand, protesting: “No snake has feet.How can you add feet to it?” Then he took the wine.The man who added feet to the snake lost his prize at last.
参考译文： 1）根据传说，伏羲生于中国西部，出生之前在其母腹中孕育了12年。伏羲教会了人类打猎、捕鱼、驯养野兽、饲养家禽。伏羲制定了人类的嫁娶制度，教会人们劈柴取火和烹煮食物；此外，他还通过龟背上的裂纹创立了八卦，这些八卦成为数学、医学、占卜学和风水的基础。伏羲创造了中华民族的图腾龙，被认为是中国历史上第一个真正的统治者。
1） Fuxi was born in the west part of China and, according to legend, he was carried in his mother’s womb for twelve years before birth.He taught people how to hunt, fish, domesticate animals and tend their flocks.He instituted marriage and taught people how to devise tools to split wood, kindle fire and cook food.He devised the Trigrams, which evolved from markings on tortoise shells.These trigrams served as the basis for mathematics, medicine, divination and geomancy.Furthermore, he created the Chinese dragon as the totem of the nation and was considered as the first real ruler.
1） 儒家的创始人是孔子（公元前551—479），他提出了一套道德规范，基于五种美德：仁、义、礼、智、信。其中“仁”被认为是他的哲学理念的基石，代表着忠诚、孝道(filial piety)、宽容和善良。他还提倡人与人之间和谐相处、按照行为规范标准建立生活社区。他的追随者之一孟子(公元前372-289)不断地向统治者们游说，试图说服他们修身养德，为人典范，以仁政赢得人民的尊重。 1）Confucius (551—479 BC) was the founder of Confucianism.He advocated a set of moral code on basis of five merits: benevolence, righteousne, propriety, wisdom and trustworthine.Among them, benevolence was considered as the cornerstone of his philosophy, which stands for faithfulne, filial piety, tolerance and kindne.He also requested people to keep in good harmony with each other and establish a community ruled by standard manners and behavior.One of his followers, Mencius (372-289BC), repeatedly tried to convince rulers that the ruler should cultivate moral perfection in order to set a good example to the people and the ruler who governed benevolently would earn the respect of the people.2）中国哲学有着几千年的历史，其起源可以追溯到《易经》，其中介绍一些最重要的中国哲学概念。自始至终中国哲学的核心就是对人与社会的现实关注、如何过理想的生活，以及如何去组织社会。伦理（ethics）和政治哲学(political philosophy)常常要超越在形而上学（metaphysics）和现象学（epistemology）理论之上。中国哲学的另一个特征是反映了自然和自我，因而产生了天人合
一、人在天地之间的位置，以及对差异（differentiation）和变化的阐释。 2） Chinese philosophy has a history of several thousand years; its origins are often traced back to the I Ching (the Book of Changes), which introduced some of the most fundamental terms of Chinese philosophy.The central focus of Chinese philosophy throughout the ages has been a practical concern with man and society, how to live an ideal life, and how best to organize society.Ethics and political philosophy have often taken precedence over metaphysics and epistemology.Another characteristic of Chinese philosophy has been reflections on nature and the self, which has resulted in the development of themes like unity between man and Heaven, the place of man in the cosmic order, and the explanations of differentiation and change.
1) “送别”是唐诗里常见的主题。通过赠诗给一个即将离别的友人，诗人常常表达自己的悲伤之情。送别诗里常用的意象(image)有音乐、酒和柳枝。音乐是送别仪式必不可少的部分。音乐通常由琵琶等古典乐器演奏，旋律优美而悲伤。在这种场合，喝酒也是必要的。也许这是因为酒能够让人得到安慰，忘却生活中的烦恼以及与友人离别的愁绪。送别的另一个风俗便是为友人送上柳枝。因为“柳”和“留”同音。通过这种方式，诗人就表达了让友人永远留下来的愿望。
‘Parting’ was a common theme in Tang poetry.By writing a poem to a friend who was leaving, the poet usually showed his sorrow and sadne.Images frequently used in a parting poem included music, liquor and a willow twig.Music was an important section of the parting ceremony.The music, which was often melodious and sorrowful, was played by traditional instruments such as ‘Pipa’.Drinking liquor was also a neceary part on these occasions.Perhaps it was because liquor could console people and help them forget troubles in life and the sadne of parting from a friend.Another custom was giving a willow twig to the leaving friend, since ‘willow’ in Chinese has the same pronunciation of that of ‘stay’.In this way, the poet expreed his wish that his friend stay with him forever.
2)《红楼梦》（Dream of the Red Chamber）是中国文学“四大名著”之一。它写于18世纪中叶，并被认为是中国文学中的杰作(masterpiece)以及中国小说史上的顶峰。许多学者都致力于该作品的研究，而这个研究领域也被称作“红学”(Redology)。人们通常认为该小说反映了作者曹雪芹自己的经历以及他家族的兴衰。该书的优秀之处不仅在于它的情节和人物塑造(characterization)，同时也在于它对当时社会生活结构的精确、细节的描写。几个世纪以来，小说中的许多词句已经融入了中国人的日常语言。由此可见该书经久不衰的魅力。
2） Dream of the Red Chamber is one of the ‘Four Great Claical Novels’ of Chinese literature.It was written in the middle of the 18th century and considered as a masterpiece of Chinese literature as well as the peak of Chinese fiction.Many scholars are devoted to the study of this novel and the field of study is known as ‘Redology’.The novel is usually thought to be reflecting the experience of the author Cao Xueqin and the rise and decline of his own family.It is remarkable for not only its plot and characterization, but also its precise and detailed observation of the life and social structures of that time.For centuries, a huge number of words and expreions from the novel have already been incorporated into the daily language of Chinese people, which demonstrates the ever-lasting charm of the book.
1） 中国古代教育在中国文化中起着举足轻重的作用。中国古代教育最早可以追溯到周朝中后期诸子百家的教育思想。古代中国的教育给人们提供了一个平等的发展机会，即使出身贫寒的人也有可能步入仕途。春秋时期，伟大的教育家孔子打破“学在官府”的陈规。私人学堂盛行。不同的学派通过学堂传播他们的思想主张，出现了百家争鸣的局面。
1) Education played a vital role in ancient Chinese culture.The origin of ancient Chinese education dates back to the educational ideas of the ―Hundred Schools of Thought‖ in the middle and late Zhou Dynasty.It provided people equal chance for development.Individuals from even the humblest backgrounds could rise to higher level.In the Spring and Autumn Period, Confucius, the great educator, broke the rule of learning at the government hall.Private schools prevailed and many scholars of different schools of thought spread their teaching in this way and this led to the flourishing and contending of hundreds of schools.
2）孔子既是教育家又是哲学家。他的思想理论规范影响着人们的伦理、道德、生活等方方面面。孔子思想的特征之一是他十分强调教育与学习。在思与学的关系上，他认为学思并重。他认为，“学而不思则罔，思而不学则殆。”对孔子来说，道德教育是最重要的。孔子的目的是培养举止优雅、言谈得体、遇事周全的谦谦君子。
2) Confucius was an educator as well as a philosopher.His thoughts and theories had impact on people in many aspects such as ethics, moral principles and rules of life.One of the features of Confucius’ thoughts is his emphasis on education and learning.In the relationship between learning and thinking, he believed .that learning and thinking were equally important.He believed that, ―Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.‖ He considered moral education the most important.Confucius’s goal was to create gentlemen who would carry themselves with grace, speak correctly, and demonstrate integrity in all things.
1） 沈括是宋朝的著名官员、军事将领。他的不朽名著《梦溪笔谈》(Dream Pool Eays)记载了包括地质学、天文学、活字印刷（movable type printing）、植物学和动物学等各种学科。该书是中国历史上最早使用“石油”这一名称的著作，为自然科学做出了卓越贡献。沈括与当时的很多人不同，他以一种客观而思辨的态度观察自然现象。他提出了用阳历代替阴历的主张，立春为岁首，大月31天，小月30天。
1） Shen Kuo was a highly renowned government official and military general of the Song Dynasty.Shen Kuo’s immortal masterpiece Dream Pool Eays records various fields of study including geology, astronomy, movable type printing, botany and zoology etc.In the book, the word ―shiyou‖ (petroleum) was used for the first time in the literature of Chinese history, which was his remarkable contribution to science.Unlike most people in his time, Shen Kuo took an objective and speculative viewpoint on natural phenomena.He advocated that the solar calendar be used to replace the lunar calendar, with thirty-one or thirty days a month and ―lichun‖ (―Start of Spring‖ according to lunisolar calendar) as the beginning of a year.
2） 徐光启（1562年～1633年）是中国明朝的数学家和农业科学家。他身为政府高官，最早将西方科技成就引入中国，也是明朝末年最早信奉天主教的文人。天主教早期之所以在中国传播，得力于一些中国政府官员和文人的帮助，特别是徐光启。徐光启撰写了《农政全书》（Complete Treatise on Agriculture）这部农业百科全书。该书基本上囊括了诸如农田灌溉、农具制作、植树放牧及生产养蚕等古代农业生产和人民生活的各个方面。
2) Xu Guangqi (1562-1633) was a Chinese mathematician and agricultural scientist in the Ming Dynasty.As a top official, Xu was perceived as a pioneer introducing Western scientific achievements in China and also the first intellectual believer in Catholicism in the late Ming Dynasty.The spread of Catholicism in China in the early ages owed much to some officials and intellectuals, especially Xu Guangqi.Xu compiled Complete Treatise on Agriculture, an agricultural encyclopedia.The book basically includes all the subjects concerned about various domains in the life and production of ancient Chinese people, such as irrigation, farm tools, planting trees, herding, manufacturing, and silkworm breeding.
1） 中国龙是吉祥的生灵，象征着力量、智慧、好运和掌控风和水的威力。因此，中国人自豪地称自己是龙的传人（descendants）。龙被尊崇为雨神（the God of Rain）。在干旱或水灾发生时，人们会去当地的龙王庙（dragon- king temple）烧香祈求情况的好转。龙对雨水和海浪的控制也和其在12生肖中的地位密切相关。关于这12种动物为确保能榜上有名所进行的竞赛有各种传说，但顺序是按动物最活跃的时间点确定的。龙对应于7点至9点，此时最有可能会雾气蒙蒙，而龙却能腾云驾雾。
1） The Chinese dragon is an auspicious creature, symbolizing strength, wisdom, good luck and power over the elements of wind and water.As such, Chinese people proudly claim they are the descendants of the dragon.The dragon was worshiped as the God of Rain, and in times of drought or flooding, locals would visit a dragon-king temple and burn incense to pray for more favorable conditions.The dragon\'s power to control rain and waves is also closely related to its rank in the 12 zodiac animals.Various tales describe the race of these 12 animals to secure their place on the list, but the sequence is determined by the time of day when the animal is most active.The dragon corresponds to 7 am to 9 am, when it is most likely to be foggy, allowing the dragon to ride atop clouds and mist.
2）风水，字面意即为―风和水‖，可追溯至中国战国时期（公元前475-221）。在古代，也被称为堪舆。按传统，建造房屋、楼群、定居点和陵墓前都要先咨询风水大师。风水一度是中国传统文化中的重要组成部分，它依据诸如道家和《易经》等中国古代哲学学说，强调了人与环境的和谐共存。看风水的做法从地理、建筑、伦理和预言等方面，提倡了道家的天、地、人合一的理念。风水被赋予神秘感。事实上，古时它是被广泛应用于东方建筑的一种古老艺术。中国的许多著名的文化名胜，包括北京的故宫，都是按照风水原则设计的。风水学对中国社会产生了深远的影响并为大众所接受。
2) Feng shui, literally ―wind and water‖, dates from China’s Warring States Period (475-221 BC).In ancient times, the practice was also called kanyu.Traditionally, a feng shui master was consulted before houses, buildings, settlements or tombs were constructed.Based on ancient Chinese philosophies, including Taoism and Yijing, feng shui was once an important part of traditional Chinese culture and emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of humans and their environment.Following the disciplines of geography, architecture, ethics and prophecy, the practice also promotes the Taoist principle that the earth, sky and mankind are part of a single whole.Feng shui is considered mysterious.In fact, it is an ancient art widely used to orient buildings in olden times.Many of China’s well-known cultural monuments, including the Forbidden City in Beijing, were designed using feng shui principles.Feng shui has a profound effect on Chinese society and is widely embraced by the public.
1） 首都北京是中华人民共和国政治、文化和行政管理的中心，是一个新旧交融、魅力无限的大都市(metropolis)。北京作为人类居住地的历史已超过了3000多年。作为世界上少数未傍主要河道而建的内陆首都之一，北京将自己长期显赫的历史归功于战略性的地理位置。北京位于北纬39o56\'，东经116o20\', 雄踞于华北平原(the North China Plain)的最北部；西北部是山西省和内蒙古大草原(he Inner Mongolian Steppe)，东向是渤海(the Bohai Sea)。
1） Beijing, as the capital city, is the political, cultural and administrative center of the People’s Republic of China, as well as a fascinating metropolis that mixes the old and new.Beijing as a settlement has a history of more than 3,000 years.It is one of the few inland capitals in the world that is not built beside a major river, which owes its long prominence to its strategic geographical position.Beijing is situated at 39o56\' North Latitude and 116o20\' East Longitude, majestically reposing on the northmost part of the North China Plain; to the northwest lie Shanxi Province and the Inner Mongolian Steppe, and towards the east is the Bohai Sea.
2） 胡同即狭窄的街道或巷子，在中国北方的城市很常见，其中又以北京的胡同最为著名。在北京，很多街区是这样形成的：四合院(Chinese quadrangle)彼此相连形成胡同，进而胡同彼此相连形成街区。胡同是北京文化要素的代表。由于北京悠久的历史和六朝古都的地位，几乎每个胡同都有其轶事趣闻(anecdotes)，一些胡同甚至还与历史事件紧密相关。与紫禁城、颐和园和天坛所代表的宫廷生活和精英文化(elite culture)相比，胡同反应了北京的平民文化。
2）Hutongs are a type of narrow streets or alleys, commonly aociated with northern Chinese cities, most prominently Beijing.In Beijing, many neighborhoods were formed by joining one Chinese quadrangle (siheyuan) to another to form a hutong, and then joining one hutong to another.Hutongs represent an important cultural element of the city of Beijing.Thanks to Beijing’s long history and status as capital for six dynasties, almost every hutong has its anecdotes, and some are even aociated with historic events.In contrast to the court life and elite culture represented by the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven, the hutongs reflect the culture of graroots Beijingers.
1） 茶之为物，能引导我们进入一个默想人生的世界。采茶必须天气清明的清早，当山上的空气极为清新，露水的芬芳尚留于叶上时，所采的茶叶方称上品。因此，茶是凡间纯洁的象征，在采制烹煮(infusion)的手续中，都须十分清洁。采摘烘焙(fermenting)，烹煮取饮之时，手上或杯壶中略有油腻不洁，便会使它丧失美味。所以也只有在眼前和心中毫无富丽繁华的景象和念头时，方能真正的享受它。(节选自林语堂《茶与交友》)
1) There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life.Picked at early dawn on a clear day, when the morning air on mountain top was clear and thin, and the fragrance of dews was still upon the leaves, tea is still aociated with the fragrance and refinement of the magic dew in its enjoyment.Tea is then symbolic of earthly purity, requiring the most fastidious (严苛的) cleanline in its preparation.From picking, fermenting and preserving to its final infusion and drinking, easily upset or spoiled by the slightest contamination of oily hands or oily cups. Consequently, its enjoyment is appropriate in an atmosphere where all ostentation (虚饰) or suggestion of luxury is banished from one\'s eyes and one\'s thoughts.（Excerpted from ―Tea and Friendship‖ by Lin Yutang）
2) 书法作品跟舞蹈艺术一样可以展现肢体和动作的美感。相互之间能吸收灵感。张旭，唐代草书（cursive-script calligraphy）大家，以韵律独特和风格豪放而著称。传说，他观舞蹈名家公孙一舞而悟，书法大有长进。舞者通过独特的节奏和利落的动作展示了诸如活泼、喜悦、悲伤、愤怒、渴望、需求、勇气和灵感等多种魅力和和情感。张旭草书、李白诗歌和裴旻剑舞被当朝皇帝誉为三绝。
2) Calligraphic works can demonstrate the beauty of both the body and movement, like the art of dance.They can absorb inspiration from each other.Zhang Xu, a cursive-script calligraphy master of the Tang Dynasty, was famous for distinctive rhythms and a wild style.Legend says that he made swift progre in his calligraphy after he got inspiration from a dance performed by the famous dancer Gongsun.Through distinctive rhythms and neat movements, the dancer demonstrates various kinds of charms and emotions such as vividne, joy, sadne, anger, aspiration, demand, boldne and inspiration.The cursive-script calligraphic works by Zhang Xu, the poems by Li Bai and the sword dance by Pei Min were praised as the three wonders by the emperor of their time.
1） 重视教育和尊敬师长是中国悠久的传统美德。中国的第一部教育学专著《学记》(Record of Learning)提出了“教学为先”的思想。三千年前的周代，国家设立了不同规模不同层次的学校，由官员兼任教师。春秋时期，孔子开办了私学，并提出人无论贵贱都有受教育的权利。对教育的重视决定了教师的地位。中国民间有许多尊师的说法，如“一日为师，终生为父”。现在，中国还把每年的9月10日定为“教师节”。
1) It is a long-standing traditional virtue to value education and respect teachers in China.The first monograph about education in China, the Record of Learning, brought up the idea of ―education is the top priority‖.Three thousand years ago, in the Zhou Dynasty, the government set up schools of different scales and levels with officers as teachers.In the Spring and Autumn Period, Confucius even ran private schools with a slogan that everyone, rich or poor, had the right to receive education.Respect for education determines the status of teachers.There are a lot of sayings that show respect towards teachers, such as ―A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime‖.Nowadays, September the tenth is designated to be the Teachers’ Day in China. 2）孝顺(Filial piety)是中国文化中一个重要的美德，指的是一个人对父母和祖先的尊重。历史上儒家经典作品《孝经》(Claic of Xiao or Filial Piety) 一直被认为是该美德的权威(authoritative)来源。该书介绍了如何利用孝顺建立良好的社会。一般而言，孝顺是指善待和照顾父母，尊敬父母、支 持父母、对父母讲礼貌。也指不仅在家对父母在外对他人都要从善，从而为父母带来好名声。虽然中国人一直拥有众多不同宗教信仰，孝顺却几乎是所有人共同的。
1) Filial piety is considered a key virtue in Chinese culture, which is about the respect for one’s parents and ancestors.The Confucian claic, Claic of Xiao or Filial Piety, has historically been the authoritative source on this virtue.The book is about how to set up a good society using the filial piety.In more general terms, filial piety means to be good to and to take care of one\'s parents, to show respect, support and courtesy to one’s parents.It also means to engage in good conduct not just towards parents but also outside the home so as to bring a good name to one’s parents.Although the Chinese have had a diversity of religious beliefs, filial piety has been common to almost all of them.
敦煌莫高窟（The Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes），也称千佛洞，位于甘肃省敦煌市附近的鸣沙山东路石崖上。它被认为是世界上最大最古老的佛教艺术宝藏。莫高窟的修建始于366年，在唐代达到鼎盛，但到了元朝才竣工。现存492个窟和1045幅壁画(mural)，以及245座彩绘泥塑(clay sculpture)和5个唐宋时期的木质建筑结构。除此之外，莫高窟还存有大量的横跨三国到北宋数个朝代的经文(scripture)、文献和绘画。敦煌莫高窟展示出各类艺术形式的精华，同时也体现了中西方的艺术融合。
1）The Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, also known as the One-Thousand-Buddha Grottoes, are located on the eastern, rocky side of Mingsha Mountain, near the city of Dunhuang, Gansu Province.They are regarded as the world\'s largest and oldest treasure house of Buddhist art.Construction of the Mogao Grottoes began in 366 and reached a peak in the Tang Dynasty, but it was not finished until the Yuan Dynasty.Now, there are 492 grottoes and 1,045 murals in existence.It also features 245 painted clay sculptures, and five wooden architectural structures of the Tang and the Song Dynasties.Besides, there are also a lot of items of scriptures, documents and paintings spanning the period from the Three Kingdoms Period to the Northern Song Dynasty.The Mogao Grottoes show examples of various types of art and demonstrate the integration of Chinese and Western arts.
2)《清明上河图》(The Qingming Festival by the Riverside) 是由北宋画家张择端(1085–1145)创作完成的。它是一副长528厘米，宽24.8厘米的彩色画卷。该画描述了清明节北宋都城汴京(今河南开封)热闹的街景，整幅画可以分成三部分：郊区景、汴河景以及城市街景。汴河景是该画最为壮观的一部分；而作为政治、经济、文化中心的汴京在北宋的重要地位则在城市街景中得以充分体现。画卷对汴京的建筑、商人和交通的描绘形象地勾勒出北宋的经济繁荣景象。《清明上河图》是一幅伟大的稀世罕见的现实主义画卷。
2) The Qingming Festival by the Riverside （or Along the River during the Qingming Festival）is a painting attributed to Song Dynasty artist Zhang Zeduan (1085–1145).It is a long colored painted scroll with a length of 528cm and a height of 24.8cm.It portrayed the busy street scenes of the capital city Bianjing (now Kaifeng, Henan Province) during the Qingming Festival.The painting can be divided into three parts: scenes of the suburbs, of the Bian River, and of the city streets.The scene of the Bian River is the most magnificent part of the painting.As Bianjing was the political, economic and cultural center of the Northern Song Dynasty, its importance in the empire was fully depicted in the painting\'s city street scene.The depiction of the architecture, merchants and transportation in Bianjing vividly reflects the economic boom of the Northern Song Dynasty.The Qingming Festival by the Riverside is a great and rare realistic painting.
