Permit me to observe: thelate emperor was taken from us before he could finish his life's work, therestoration of the Han. Today, the empire is still divided in three, andour very survival is threatened.

然侍卫之臣不懈于内，忠志之士忘身于外者，盖追先帝之殊遇，欲报之于陛下也。

Yet still the officials atcourt and the soldiers throughout the realm remain loyal to you, yourmajesty. Because they remember the late emperor, all of them, and theywish to repay his kindness in service to you.

诚宜开张圣听，以光先帝遗德，恢弘志士之气，不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失义，以塞忠谏之路也。

This is the moment toextend your divine influence, to honor the memory of the late Emperor andstrengthen the morale of your officers. It is not the time to listen tobad advice, or close your ears to the suggestions of loyal men.

亲贤臣，远小人，此先汉所以兴隆也；亲小人，远贤臣，此后汉所以倾颓也。

The emperors of theWestern Han chose their courtiers wisely, and their dynasty flourished. Theemperors of the Eastern Han chose poorly, and they doomed the empire to ruin.

先帝在时，每与臣论此事，未尝不叹息痛恨于桓、灵也。

Whenever the late Emperordiscussed this problem with me, he lamented the failings of Emperors Huan andLing.

臣本布衣，躬耕于南阳，苟全性命于乱世，不求闻达于诸侯。

I began as a common man,farming in my fields in Nanyang, doing what I could to survive in an age ofchaos. I never had any interest in making a name for myself as a noble.

先帝不以臣卑鄙，猥自枉屈，三顾臣于草庐之中，咨臣以当世之事，由是感激，遂许先帝以驱驰。

The late Emperor was not ashamedto visit my cottage and seek my advice. Grateful for his regard, Iresponded to his appeal and threw myself into his service.

先帝知臣谨慎，故临崩寄臣以大事也。

The late Emperor alwaysappreciated my caution and, in his final days, entrusted me with his cause.

受命以来，夙夜忧叹，恐托付不效，以伤先帝之明，故五月渡泸，深入不毛。

Since that moment, I havebeen tormented day and night by the fear that I might let him down. Thatis why I crossed the Lu river at the height of summer, and entered thewastelands beyond.

今南方已定，兵甲已足，当奖率三军，北定中原，庶竭驽钝，攘除奸凶，兴复汉室，还于旧都。

Now the south has beensubdued, and our forces are fully armed. I should lead our soldiers toconquer the northern heartland and attempt to remove the hateful traitors,restore the house of Han, and return it to the former capital.

此臣所以报先帝而忠陛下之职分也。

This is the way I mean tohonor my debt to the late Emperor and fulfill my duty to you.

愿陛下托臣以讨贼兴复之效，不效，则治臣之罪，以告先帝之灵。

My only desire is to bepermitted to drive out the traitors and restore the Han. If I should letyou down, punish my offense and report it to the spirit of the late Emperor.

陛下亦宜自谋，以咨诹善道，察纳雅言。深追先帝遗诏，臣不胜受恩感激。今当远离，临表涕零，不知所言。

Your Majesty, consideryour course of action carefully. Seek out good advice, and never forgetthe late words of the late Emperor. I depart now on a long expedition, andI will be forever grateful if you heed my advice. Blinded by my own tears,I know not what I write.

三国经典名句英译

《三国演义》作为四大名著之一，以其史诗般的叙事、扣人心弦的阴谋权术和荡气回肠的英雄气概，历经数百年依旧散发着巨大魅力。

这部小说也催生了无数脍炙人口的成语和名句，我们今天就再次回顾一下这些经典语句，重温那段波澜壮阔的历史。

（英文来源C. H. Brewitt-Taylor的译本，Romance of ThreeKingdoms。）

1.不求同年同月同日生，只愿同年同月同日死。

We ask not the same day of birth, but we seek to dietogether.

2.子治世之能臣，乱世之奸雄也。

In peace you are an able subject; in chaos you are a crafty hero.

3.顺我者生，逆我者死。

There is life for those who are with me, death for thoseagainst.