An Epigraph in Praise of My Humble Home
by Liu Yuxi
A mountain needn't be high,
山不在高,
It is famous so long as there is a deity on it.
有仙则名；
A lake needn't be deep,
水不在深，
It has supernatural power so long as there is a dragon in it.
有龙则灵。
My home is humble,
斯是陋室，
But it enjoys the fame of virtue so long as I am living in it.
惟吾德馨。
The moss creeping onto the doorsteps turns them green.
苔痕上阶绿，
The color of the grass reflected through the bamboo curtains turns the room blue.
草色入帘青。
Erudite scholars come in good spirits to talk with me,
谈笑有鸿儒，
And among my guests there is no unlearned common man.
往来无白丁。
In this humble room, I can enjoy playing my plainly decorated qin, or read the Buddhist Scriptures quietly.
by Liu Yuxi
A mountain needn't be high,
山不在高,
It is famous so long as there is a deity on it.
有仙则名；
A lake needn't be deep,
水不在深，
It has supernatural power so long as there is a dragon in it.
有龙则灵。
My home is humble,
斯是陋室，
But it enjoys the fame of virtue so long as I am living in it.
惟吾德馨。
The moss creeping onto the doorsteps turns them green.
苔痕上阶绿，
The color of the grass reflected through the bamboo curtains turns the room blue.
草色入帘青。
Erudite scholars come in good spirits to talk with me,
谈笑有鸿儒，
And among my guests there is no unlearned common man.
往来无白丁。
In this humble room, I can enjoy playing my plainly decorated qin, or read the Buddhist Scriptures quietly.