韩愈（Han Yu）

罗经国 译

古之学者必有师。师者，所以传道受业解惑也。

In ancient times those who wanted to learn would seek out a teacher, one who could propagate the doctrine, impart professional knowledge, and resolve doubts.

人非生而知之者，孰能无惑？

Since no one is born omniscient, who can claim to have no doubts?

惑而不从师，其为惑也，终不解矣。

If one has doubts and is not willing to learn from a teacher, his doubts will never be resolved.

生乎吾前，其闻道也，固先乎吾，吾从而师之；

Anyone who was born before me and learned the doctrine before me is my teacher.

生乎吾后，其闻道也，亦先乎吾，吾从而师之。

Anyone who was born after me and learned the doctrine before me is also my teacher.

吾师道也，夫庸知其年之先后生于吾乎？

Since what I desire to learn is the doctrine, why should I care whether he was born before or after me?

是故无贵无贱，无长无少，道之所存，师之所存也。

Therefore, it does not matter whether a person is high or low in position, young or old in age. Where there is the doctrine, there is my teacher.

嗟乎！师道之不传也久矣，欲人之无惑也难矣。

Alas! The tradition of learning from the teacher has long been neglected. Thus it is difficult to find a person without any doubts at all.

古之圣人，其出人也远矣，犹且从师而问焉；

Ancient sages, who far surpassed us, even learned from their teachers.

今之众人，其下圣人也亦远矣，而耻学于师。

People today, who are far inferior to them, regard learning from the teacher as a disgrace.

是故圣益圣，愚益愚。

Thus, wise men become more wise and unlearned men become more foolish.