The Feline Warrior

Note from The Feline Warrior: The following is excerpted from “Chibi Fu” by Mr. Su Shi (a.k.a. Su Dongpo, 1037–1101 A.D.), first published in 1082 A.D. The original is in public domain everywhere; the following English translation is the work of The Feline Warrior.

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Tell me, have you considered the nature of the river or the moon? Down here, the water flows away — as do all that have left us — yet it never truly disappears; up there, the moon waxes and wanes — as do all that have changed — yet it never truly grows nor shrinks. When viewed from a changing perspective, surely nothing in this universe has ever remained the same even for the briefest instant; but by contrast, when viewed from an unchanging perspective, all that exist will continue to exist in perpetuity, and indeed so will we. What, then, is there to envy?

Besides, everything in this universe has its rightful owner, and I would take not even a shred of that which does not belong to me. The only exception, though, is the refreshing breeze upon this river and the bright moon amidst those hills. Here, whatever your ears capture becomes a sound to you, and whatever meets your eyes becomes a view to you. Boundless and inexhaustible, they are the Almighty Creator’s infinite treasure bestowed upon you and me, for us both to enjoy.

客亦知夫水與月乎？逝者如斯，而未嘗往也。盈虛者如彼，而卒莫消長也。蓋將自其變者而觀之，則天地曾不能以一瞬。自其不變者而觀之，則物與我皆無盡也。而又何羨乎？ 且夫天地之間，物各有主，苟非吾之所有，雖一毫而莫取。惟江上之淸風，與山間之明月，耳得之而爲聲，目遇之而成色，取之無禁，用之不竭。是造物者之無盡藏也，而吾與子之所共樂。 蘇軾『赤壁賦』