English Original
There was a scholar in the Zhou Dynasty who repeatedly sought an official post throughout his life, but failed each time until his hair turned white.
One day, while walking on the road, he looked back on his past and shed tears of sorrow. Someone asked him, "Why are you weeping?"
He replied, "I have failed to gain recognition several times. Now I am old and have no more opportunities. That is why I weep."
The man asked again, "But how is it that you never succeeded?"
The scholar explained, "In my youth, I studied the classics diligently and mastered literary arts. When I sought office, the king preferred to appoint old men. After his death, the new king favored warriors. I resolved to learn martial arts, but just as I mastered them, that king passed away. Now the new ruler prefers young men, but I am already old. Thus, I have never gained recognition or held an official post in my entire life."
中文翻译
周朝有位读书人，一生中多次谋求官职，却屡屡失败，直至两鬓斑白。
一日，他走在路上，回首往事，不禁伤心落泪。有人问道：“您为何哭泣？”
他答道：“我数次求官，皆未得赏识。如今年事已高，再无机会，因此哭泣。”
那人又问：“那您为何一次都未能成功呢？”
读书人解释道：“我年少时苦读经书，精通文墨。前去求官时，君王却喜好任用老者。君王死后，继任者偏爱武士。我便发愤习武，可刚学成武艺，好武的君王又去世了。如今的新君喜爱任用年轻人，而我已年老。因此，我终生未曾得到一次赏识，也未曾做过一次官。”