出師表(ENGLISH）

 

臣亮言：先帝創業未半而中道崩殂，

Permit me to observe: the late emperor was taken from us before he could finish his life`s work, the restoration of Han.

 

今天下三分，益州疲弊，此誠危急存亡之秋也。

Today, the empire is still divided in three, and our very survival is threatened.

 

然侍衛之臣不懈於內，忠志之士忘身於外者，

Yet still the officials at court and the soldiers throughout the realm remain loyal to you, your majesty.

 

蓋追先帝之殊遇，欲報之於陛下也。

Because they remember the late emperor, all of them, and they wish to repay his kindness in service to you.

 

誠宜開張聖聽，以光先帝遺德，恢弘志士之氣，

This is the moment to extend your divine influence, to honour the memory of the late Emperor and strengthen the morale of your officers.

 

不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失義，以塞忠諫之路也。

It is not time to listen to bad advice, or close your ears to the suggestions of loyal men.

 

宮中府中，俱爲一體，陟罰臧否，不宜異同。

The court and the administration are as one. Both must be judged by one standard.

 

如有做奸犯科及爲忠善者，宜付有司論其刑賞，

Those who are loyal and good must get what they deserve, but so must the evil-doers who break the law.

 

以昭陛下平明之理，不宜偏私，使內外異法也。

This will demonstrate the justice of your rule. There cannot be one law for the court and another for the administration.

 

侍中、侍郎郭攸之、費禕、董允等，此皆良實，志慮忠純，是以先帝簡拔以遺陛下。愚覺得宮中之事，事無大小，悉以諮之，而後施行，必得裨補闕漏，有所廣益。

Counselors and attendants like Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, and Dong Yun are all reliable men, loyal of purpose and pure in motive. The late Emperor selected them for office so that they would serve you after his death.These are the men who should be consulted on all palace affairs.

 

將軍向寵，性行淑均，曉暢軍事，試用之於昔日，先帝稱之曰能，是以衆議舉寵爲督。愚覺得營中之事，悉以諮之，必能使行陣和氣，優劣得所。

Xiang Chong has proved himself a fine general in battle, and the late Emperor believed in him. That is why the assembly has recommended him for overall command. It will keep the troops happy if he is consulted on all military matters.

 

親賢臣，遠小人，此先漢因此興隆也；

The emperors of the Western Han chose their courtiers wisely, and their dynasty flourished.

 

親小人，遠賢臣，此後漢因此傾頹也。

The emperors of the Eastern Han chose poorly, and they doomed the empire to ruin.

 

先帝在時，每與臣論此事，何嘗不嘆息痛恨於桓、靈也。

Whenever the late Emperor discussed this problem with me, he lamented the failings of Emperors Huan and Ling.

 

侍中、尚書、長史、參軍，此悉貞良死節之臣，願陛下親之信之，則漢室之隆，可計日而待也。

Advisors like Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, Chen Zhen, Zhang Yi, and Jiang Wan – these are all men of great integrity and devotion. I encourage you to trust them, your majesty, if the house of Han is to rise again.

 

臣本布衣，躬耕於南陽，苟全性命於亂世，不求聞達於諸侯。

I begin as a common man, farming in my fields in Nanyang, doing what I could to survive in an age of chaos. 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，三顧臣於草廬之中，諮臣以當世之事，

The late Emperor was not ashamed to visit my cottage and seek my advice.

 

由是感激，遂許先帝以驅馳。

Grateful for his regard, I responded to his appeal and threw myself into his service.

 

後值傾覆，受任於敗軍之際，奉命於危難之間，爾來二十有一年矣。先帝知臣謹慎，故臨崩寄臣以大事也。

Now twenty-one years has passed, the late Emperor always appreciated my caution and, in his final days, entrusted me with his cause.

 

受命以來，夙夜憂嘆，恐付託不效，以傷先帝之明，

Since that moment, I have been tormented day and night by the fear that I might let him down.

 

故五月渡瀘，深刻不毛。

That is why I crossed the Lu river at the height of summer, and entered the wastelands beyond.

 

今南方已定，甲兵已足，

Now the south has been subdued, and our forces are fully armed.

 

當獎率三軍，北定中原，庶竭駑鈍，攘除奸兇，興復漢室，還於舊都。

I should lead our soldiers to conquer the northern heartland and attempt to remove the hateful traitors, restore the house of Han, and return it to the former capital.

 

此臣因此報先帝而忠陛下之職分也。

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

 

至於斟酌損益，進盡忠言，則攸之、禕、允之任也。

Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, and Dong Yun are the ones who should be making policy decisions and recommendations.

 

願陛下託臣以討賊興復之效，

My only desire is to be permitted to drive out the traitors and restore the Han.

 

不效，則治臣之罪，以告先帝之靈。

If I should let you down, punish my offense and report it to the spirit of the late Emperor.

 

若無興德之言，則責攸之、禕、允等之慢，以彰其咎；

If those three advisors should fail in their duties, then they should be punished for their negligence.

 

陛下亦宜自謀，以諮諏善道，察納雅言，深追先帝遺詔，

Your Majesty, consider your course of action carefully. Seek out good advice, and never forget the late Emperor.

 

臣不勝受恩感激。今當遠離，

I depart now on a long expedition, and I will be forever grateful if you heed my advice.

 

臨表涕零，不知所言。

Blinded by my own tears, I know not what I write.