English Original
One day, King Ping Gong of Jin said to his minister Shi Kuang, "I am over seventy years old. Though I am eager to study, I feel it is too late."
Shi Kuang replied, "Too late? Why not light a candle?"
Ping Gong said, "I am serious. How dare you make fun of me!"
"How dare I, a blind minister, make fun of Your Majesty?" said Shi Kuang. "I have heard that when a youth is fond of learning, he is like the rising sun—brilliant and full of promise. When a man in his prime is fond of learning, he is like the midday sun, with half the day still ahead. When an old man is fond of learning, he is like the flame of a candle. Though its light may be dim, it is far better than groping in the dark."
Hearing this, King Ping Gong said with pleasure, "How well you have put it!"
中文翻译
一日，晋平公对大臣师旷说：“我已年过七十，虽然渴望学习，但总觉得为时已晚。”
师旷答道：“晚？何不点燃蜡烛呢？”
平公说：“我是认真的。你怎敢取笑我！”
师旷说：“臣乃一介盲臣，岂敢取笑大王？我听说，少年好学，犹如初升的太阳，光辉灿烂，充满希望；壮年好学，犹如正午的太阳，尚有半日光阴；老年好学，则如蜡烛的火焰。光芒虽弱，却远胜于在黑暗中摸索。”
晋平公听后，欣然说道：“说得多好啊！”