Grading Excellence世説新語 品藻第九

續漢書曰：「蔡伯喈，陳留圉人。通達有俊才，博學善屬文，伎藝術數，無不精綜。仕至左中郎將，為王允所誅。」

The Xu Hanshu says, "Cai Bojie was a man of Yu in Chenliu. He was penetrating and had outstanding talent, was widely learned and good at composing, and there was no art or skill or reckoning he had not finely mastered. In office he reached general of the gentlemen of the household of the left, and he was put to death by Wang Yun."

張璠漢紀曰：「時人為之語曰：『不畏彊禦陳仲舉，天下模楷李元禮。』」

Zhang Fan's Han ji says, "Men of the time made a saying about them: 'Chen Zhongju, who fears neither strength nor force; Li Yuanli, the model and pattern of the world.'"

謝沈漢書曰：「三君者，一時之所貴也。竇武、劉淑、陳蕃，少有高操，海內尊而稱之，故得因以為目。」

Xie Shen's Han shu says, "The Three Rulers were those held in honor in their time. Dou Wu, Liu Shu, and Chen Fan had lofty integrity from their youth, and the whole world honored and praised them, so this was taken as their title."

薛瑩漢書曰：「李膺、王暢、荀緄、朱寓、魏朗、劉佑、杜楷、趙典為八俊。」英雄記曰：「先是張儉等相與作衣冠糾彈，彈中人相調，言：『我彈中誠有八俊、八乂，猶古之八元、八凱也。』」謝沈書曰：「俊者，卓出之名也。」姚信士緯曰：「陳仲舉體氣高烈，有王臣之節。李元禮忠壯正直，有社稷之能。海內論之未決，蔡伯喈抑一言以變之，疑論乃定也。」

Xue Ying's Han shu says, "Li Ying, Wang Chang, Xun Gun, Zhu Yu, Wei Lang, Liu You, Du Kai, and Zhao Dian were the Eight Paragons." The Yingxiong ji says, "Earlier Zhang Jian and the rest had together put on cap and gown and made denunciations, and those denounced teased one another and said, 'Among those we denounce there are truly Eight Paragons and Eight Worthies, just like the Eight Good Men and the Eight Harmonious Ones of old.'" Xie Shen's book says, "Jun is a name for standing out above the rest." Yao Xin's Shi wei says, "Chen Zhongju was lofty and fierce in body and breath, and had the integrity of a royal servant. Li Yuanli was loyal and stout, upright and straight, and had the ability to uphold the altars of the state. The whole world discussed them and could not decide, but Cai Bojie pressed down a single word and changed it, and the doubtful discussion was then settled."

蜀志曰：「周瑜領南郡，士元為功曹。瑜卒，士元送喪至吳，吳人多聞其名，及當還西，並會閶門與士元言。」

The Shu zhi says, "When Zhou Yu held Nan commandery, Shiyuan was his officer of merit. When Zhou Yu died, Shiyuan escorted the coffin as far as Wu. The men of Wu had often heard his name, so when he was to go back west they gathered together at the Chang Gate and talked with Shiyuan."

文士傳曰：「績字公紀，幼有俊朗才數，博學多通。龐士元年長於績，共為交友。仕至鬱林太守。自知亡日，年三十二而卒。」

The Wenshi zhuan says, "Lu Ji's courtesy name was Gongji. From his youth he had outstanding and clear talent and reckoning, and he was widely learned and understood much. Pang Shiyuan was older than Lu Ji, and the two made friends together. In office he reached Governor of Yulin. He knew of himself the day he would die, and died at the age of thirty-two."

環濟吳紀曰：「琮字子黃，吳郡錢塘人。有德行義概，為大司馬。」

Huan Ji's Wu ji says, "Quan Cong's courtesy name was Zihuang; he was a man of Qiantang in Wu commandery. He had virtuous conduct and a righteous bearing, and became grand marshal."

蔣濟萬機論曰：「許子將褒貶不平，以拔樊子昭而抑許文休。劉曄難曰：『子昭拔自賈豎，年至七十，退能守靜，進不苟競。』濟答曰：『子昭誠自幼至長，容貌完潔。然觀其插齒牙，樹頰頦，吐脣吻，自非文休之敵。』」

Jiang Ji's Wanji lun says, "Xu Zijiang was uneven in his praise and blame, raising up Fan Zizhao and pressing down Xu Wenxiu. Liu Ye challenged him: 'Zizhao was raised up from a merchant's stall, and to the age of seventy, in retirement he kept still and in advancement he did not contend meanly.' Jiang Ji answered, 'Zizhao was indeed whole and clean in looks from childhood to manhood. Yet watch how he sets his teeth, braces his cheeks and jaw, and thrusts out his lips, and he is no match for Wenxiu.'"

吳志曰：「劭好樂人倫，自州郡庶幾及四方人事，往來相見，或諷議而去，或結友而別，風聲流聞，遠近稱之。」

The Wu zhi says, "Gu Shao delighted in the ordering of men. From the many in the province and the commandery to the affairs of men in all four directions, they came and went and met one another; some argued with him quietly and left, some bound themselves to him as friends and parted. The sound of it spread like wind, and far and near he was praised."

吳錄曰：「劭安其言，更親之。」

The Wu lu says, "Gu Shao was content with his words and grew closer to him."

吳書曰：「瑾字子瑜，其先葛氏，琅邪諸縣人。後徙陽都，陽都先有姓葛者，時人謂『諸葛』，因為氏。瑾少以至孝稱。累遷豫州牧，六十八卒。」魏志曰：「誕字公休，為吏部郎，人有所屬託，輒顯其言而亟用之。後有當不，則公議其得失，以為褒貶。自是群寮莫不慎其所舉。累遷楊州刺史、鎮東將軍、司空。謀逆，伏誅。」

The Wu shu says, "Zhuge Jin's courtesy name was Ziyu. His forebears were of the Ge family, men of Zhu county in Langye. Later they moved to Yangdu, where there were already people surnamed Ge, so men of the time called them 'Zhuge,' and from this it became their surname. Zhuge Jin from his youth was praised for utmost filial piety. He passed through several posts to Governor of Yuzhou, and died at sixty-eight." The Wei zhi says, "Zhuge Dan's courtesy name was Gongxiu. He became gentleman of the bureau of personnel, and when anyone made a request of him he would at once make the words public and use the man without delay. Later, if the man proved fit or unfit, he would weigh his gain and loss in the open and make of it his praise or blame. From then on there was no officer who was not careful in whom he recommended. He passed through several posts to Inspector of Yangzhou, general who guards the east, and minister of works. He plotted rebellion and was put to death."

吳書曰：「瑾避亂渡江，大皇帝取為長史，遣使蜀，但與弟亮公會相見，反無私面。而又有容貌思度。時人服其弘量。」

The Wu shu says, "Zhuge Jin fled the troubles and crossed the river, and the Great Emperor took him and made him his Chief Clerk. When he was sent as envoy to Shu he met his younger brother Liang only in public assembly, and did not meet him face to face in private. Moreover he had presence and breadth of thought, so men of the time bowed to his broad capacity."

魏志曰：「陔與泰善，故文王問之。」

The Wei zhi says, "Wu Gai was on good terms with Chen Tai, and so King Wen asked him."

逸士傳曰：「靖字叔慈，潁川人。有俊才，以孝著名。兄弟八人，號『八龍』。隱身修學，動止合禮。弟爽，亦有才學，顯名當世。或問汝南許章：『爽與靖孰賢？』章曰：『二人皆玉也。慈明外朗，叔慈內潤。』太尉辟，不就。年五十終，時人惜之，號玄行先生。」

The Yishi zhuan says, "Xun Jing's courtesy name was Shuci; he was a man of Yingchuan. He had outstanding talent and was known for his filial piety. The eight brothers were called the Eight Dragons. He hid himself away and cultivated learning, and his moving and his resting accorded with the rites. His younger brother Shuang also had talent and learning, and his name was manifest in that age. Someone asked Xu Zhang of Runan, 'Which is the worthier, Shuang or Jing?' Xu Zhang said, 'Both men are jade. Ciming is bright without; Shuci is glossy within.' The Grand Commandant summoned him, but he did not go. He died at the age of fifty, and men of the time regretted him and called him Master Xuanxing."

典略曰：「彧字文若，潁川人。為漢侍中，守尚書令。彧為人英偉，折節待士，坐不累席。其在臺閣間，不以私欲撓意。年五十薨，謚曰敬侯。以其德高，追贈太尉。」

The Dianlue says, "Xun Yu's courtesy name was Wenruo; he was a man of Yingchuan. He became palace attendant of Han and held the post of Director of the Department of State Affairs. Xun Yu was heroic and splendid as a man; he bent his bearing to treat gentlemen well, and did not sit on doubled mats. While he was among the offices of state he never bent his mind to private desire. He died at the age of fifty, and his posthumous title was Marquis Jing. Because his virtue was lofty, he was granted the office of Grand Commandant after his death."

晉諸公贊曰：「顗字景倩，彧之子。蹈禮立德，思義溫雅，加深識國體，累遷光祿大夫。晉受禪，封臨淮公。典朝儀，刊正國式，為一代之制。轉太尉，為台輔，德望清重，留心禮教。卒，謚康公。」

The Jin zhugong zan says, "Xun Yi's courtesy name was Jingqian; he was the son of Xun Yu. He trod the rites and established virtue, thought upon what is right, and was warm and refined, and to this he added a deep grasp of the body of the state. He passed through several posts to grand master of splendid happiness. When Jin received the abdication he was enfeoffed as duke of Linhuai. He took charge of the ceremonies of the court and pared and corrected the forms of the state, making them the institutions of an age. He moved to Grand Commandant and became one of the supports of the throne. His virtue and repute were pure and weighty, and he kept his mind on the teaching of the rites. When he died his posthumous title was Duke Kang."

晉百官名曰：「康字仲豫，徽之子。」晉諸公贊曰：「康有弘量，歷太子左率。」

The Jin baiguan ming says, "Pei Kang's courtesy name was Zhongyu; he was the son of Pei Hui." The Jin zhugong zan says, "Pei Kang had a broad capacity, and served as commandant of the left guard of the heir apparent."

王朝目錄曰：「綽字仲舒，楷弟也，名亞於楷。歷中書黃門侍郎。」

The Wangchao mulu says, "Pei Chuo's courtesy name was Zhongshu; he was Pei Kai's younger brother, and his name stood next after Pei Kai's. He served as gentleman attendant of the yellow gate in the secretariat."

晉諸公贊曰：「瓚字國寶，楷之子。才氣爽俊，終中書郎。」

The Jin zhugong zan says, "Pei Zan's courtesy name was Guobao; he was the son of Pei Kai. His talent and spirit were fresh and outstanding, and he ended as gentleman of the secretariat."

荀綽冀州記曰：「喬字國彥，爽朗有遠意。髦字士彥，清平有貴識。並為後出之俊。為裴頠、樂廣所重。」晉諸公贊曰：「喬似淮而疏，皆為二千石。髦為石勒所害。」

Xun Chuo's Jizhou ji says, "Yang Qiao's courtesy name was Guoyan; he was fresh and clear and had far-reaching intent. Yang Mao's courtesy name was Shiyan; he was pure and even and had noble discernment. Both became outstanding men of the generation that came after, and Pei Wei and Yue Guang held them in esteem." The Jin zhugong zan says, "Yang Qiao was like Yang Zhun but coarser, and both reached the rank of two thousand piculs. Yang Mao was killed by Shi Le."

劉氏譜曰：「納字令言，彭城叢亭人。祖瑾，樂安長。父甝，魏洛陽令。納歷司隸校尉。」

The Liu shi pu says, "Liu Na's courtesy name was Lingyan; he was a man of Congting in Pengcheng. His grandfather Liu Jin was chief of Le'an; his father Liu Han was prefect of Luoyang under Wei. Liu Na served as colonel director of retainers."

王隱晉書曰：「周恢字弘武，汝南人。祖斐，永寧少府。父隆，州從事。恢仕至秦相，秩中二千石。」

Wang Yin's Jin shu says, "Zhou Hui's courtesy name was Hongwu; he was a man of Runan. His grandfather Zhou Fei was junior treasurer of Yongning; his father Zhou Long was an aide of the province. Zhou Hui in office reached chancellor of Qin, with a salary of the full two thousand piculs."

晉諸公贊曰：「杜育字方叔，襄城鄧陵人，杜襲孫也。育幼便岐嶷，號神童。及長，美風姿，有才藻，時人號曰『杜聖』。累遷國子祭酒。洛陽將沒，為賊所殺。」

The Jin zhugong zan says, "Du Yu's courtesy name was Fangshu; he was a man of Dengling in Xiangcheng, and a grandson of Du Xi. From his childhood Du Yu was set apart from others and was called a divine child. When he grew up his bearing and manner were beautiful and he had talent and literary grace, and men of the time called him Du the Sage. He passed through several posts to libationer of the directorate of education. When Luoyang was about to fall he was killed by brigands."

荀綽兗州記曰：「沖字賓卿，高平人，家世二千石。沖清平有鑒識，博學有文義。累遷太傅長史，雖不能立功蓋世，然聞義不惑，當世蒞事，務於平允，操持文案，必引經誥，飾以文采，未嘗有滯。性尤通達，不矜不假。好音樂，侍婢在側，不釋弦管。出入乘四望車，居之甚夷，不能虧損恭素之行，淡然肆其心志。論者不以為侈，不以為僭，至於白首，而清名令望，不渝於始。為光祿勳，京邑未潰，乘車出，為賊所害，時人皆痛惜之。」

Xun Chuo's Yanzhou ji says, "Chong's courtesy name was Binqing; he was a man of Gaoping, and his house had held the rank of two thousand piculs for generations. Chong was pure and even and had discerning judgment, was widely learned and had letters and right feeling. He passed through several posts to Chief Clerk of the grand mentor. Though he could not establish merit enough to cover the age, he heard what was right and was not confused by it. In his time he came to affairs with a care for evenness and good faith, and when he took up a document he always drew on the classics and dressed it with literary grace, and he was never at a loss. His nature was penetrating above all, and he neither boasted nor borrowed. He loved music, and with his maids beside him he never laid down string or pipe. He went in and out riding a carriage open on all four sides and was quite at ease in it, yet he did not spoil his respectful and plain conduct, and calmly he let his heart and mind go as they would. Those who discussed him did not call it extravagance and did not call it presumption, and to his white-haired years his pure name and fair repute did not change from what they had been at first. He became superintendent of the imperial household, and before the capital fell he rode out in his carriage and was killed by brigands. Men of the time all grieved and regretted him."

晉諸公贊曰：「隆字弘始，高平人。為人通亮清識。為吏部郎、楊州刺史。齊王冏起義，隆應檄稽留，為參軍王邃所殺。」

The Jin zhugong zan says, "Hao Long's courtesy name was Hongshi; he was a man of Gaoping. He was penetrating and clear as a man, and had pure discernment. He became gentleman of the bureau of personnel and Inspector of Yangzhou. When Sima Jiong, the prince of Qi, raised his righteous army, Hao Long was slow to answer the summons and was killed by the adjutant Wang Sui."

兗州記曰：「于時高平人士偶盛，滿奮、郝隆達在沖前，名位已顯，而劉寶、王夷甫猶以沖之虛貴，足先二人。」

The Yanzhou ji says, "At this time the gentlemen of Gaoping happened to be flourishing. Man Fen and Hao Long had come through before Chong and their names and positions were already manifest, yet Liu Bao and Wang Yifu still held that Chong's seemingly empty nobility was enough to set him before the two men."

江左名士傳曰：「承言理辯物，但明其旨要，不為辭費，有識伏其約而能通。太尉王夷甫一世龍門，見而雅重之，以比南陽樂廣。」

The Jiangzuo mingshi zhuan says, "When Wang Cheng spoke of principle and distinguished things, he only made clear what was essential in the point and did not waste words, and men of discernment bowed before his ability to be brief and yet get through. Grand commandant Wang Yifu was the dragon gate of that age, and when he saw him he held him in refined esteem and compared him with Yue Guang of Nanyang."

晉陽秋曰：「初，王澄有通朗稱，而輕薄無行。兄夷甫有盛名，時人許以人倫鑒識。常為天下士目曰：『阿平第一，子嵩第二，處仲第三。』敳以澄、敦莫己若也。及澄喪，敦敗，敳世譽如初。」

The Jin yangqiu says, "At first Wang Cheng was praised as penetrating and clear, but he was light and shallow and had no conduct. His elder brother Yifu had a flourishing name, and men of the time allowed him discernment in the ordering of men. He used to appraise the gentlemen of the world and say, 'Aping is first, Zisong second, Chuzhong third.' Yu Ai held that Wang Cheng and Wang Dun were not his equals. When Wang Cheng died and Wang Dun fell, the world's praise of Yu Ai was still what it had been at first."

敦性彊梁，自少及長，季倫斬妓，會無異色，若斯傲狠，豈憚於周顗乎？其言不然也。

Wang Dun was stiff and fierce by nature. From his youth to his manhood, even when Shi Jilun had his singing girls beheaded, his face did not change at all. Being so arrogant and harsh, how could he have been in awe of Zhou Yi? What is said here is not so.

沈約晉書曰：「周顗，王敦素憚之，見輒面熱，雖復臘月，亦扇面不休，其憚如此。」

Shen Yue's Jin shu says, "Wang Dun had always been in awe of Zhou Yi, and when he saw him his face would at once grow hot, so that even in the last month of winter he did not stop fanning his face. Such was his awe of him."

虞光祿傳曰：「𩦎字思行，會稽餘姚人。虞翻曾孫，右光祿潭兄子也。雖機榦不及潭，而至行過之。歷吏部郎、吳興守，徵為金紫光祿大夫，卒。」

The Yu guanglu zhuan says, "Pi's courtesy name was Sixing; he was a man of Yuyao in Kuaiji. He was a great-grandson of Yu Fan and a nephew of Yu Tan, grand master of the right. Though in ability and mainstay he did not reach Yu Tan, in utmost conduct he surpassed him. He served as gentleman of the bureau of personnel and as Governor of Wuxing, and was called to be grand master of the golden seal and purple ribbon, and then died."

愉已見。會稽後賢記曰：「潭字世康，山陰人，吳司徒固曾孫也。沈婉有雅望，少與孔愉齊名。仕至光祿大夫。」晉陽秋曰：「孔敬康、丁世康、張偉康俱著名，時謂『會稽三康』。偉康名茂，嘗夢得大象，以問萬雅。雅曰：『君當為大郡，而不善也。象，大獸也。取其音狩，故為大郡，然象以齒喪身。』後為吳郡，果為沈充所殺。」

Kong Yu has already appeared. The Kuaiji houxian ji says, "Ding Tan's courtesy name was Shikang; he was a man of Shanyin and a great-grandson of Ding Gu, minister of education under Wu. He was deep and gentle and had a refined repute, and in his youth his name stood level with Kong Yu's. In office he reached grand master of splendid happiness." The Jin yangqiu says, "Kong Jingkang, Ding Shikang, and Zhang Weikang were all famous together, and at the time they were called the Three Kang of Kuaiji. Weikang's name was Zhang Mao. He once dreamed he had got a great elephant and asked Wan Ya about it. Wan Ya said, 'You will hold a great commandery, but it is not good. The elephant is a great beast, and it takes the sound of the word for hunting, and so it means a great commandery. Yet the elephant loses its body because of its tusks.' Later he became Governor of Wu commandery and was indeed killed by Shen Chong."

虞光祿傳曰：「𩦎未登台鼎，時論稱屈。」

The Yu guanglu zhuan says, "Pi did not rise to the three highest offices, and the discussion of the time called it an injustice."

鄧粲晉紀曰：「伯仁清正嶷然，以德望稱之。」

Deng Can's Jin ji says, "Boren was pure and upright and stood out above others, and he was praised for his virtue and repute."

八王故事曰：「胡毋輔之少有雅俗鑒識，與王澄、庾敳、王敦、王夷甫為四友。」今故答也。

The Bawang gushi says, "Humu Fuzhi in his youth had discernment of what was refined and what was common, and with Wang Cheng, Yu Ai, Wang Dun, and Wang Yifu he made up the four friends." So he answered as he did here.

敦自謂右者在己也。

Wang Dun meant that the man who stood above them was himself.

虞預晉書曰：「嶠厚自封植，嶷然不群。」

Yu Yu's Jin shu says, "He Qiao banked himself up and planted himself thickly, and stood out above the common run."

晉陽秋曰：「鯤隨王敦下，入朝，見太子於東宮，語及夕，太子從容問鯤曰：『論者以君方庾亮，自謂孰愈？』對曰：『宗廟之美，百官之富，臣不如亮。縱意丘壑，自謂過之。』」鄧粲晉紀曰：「鯤與王澄之徒，慕竹林諸人，散首披髮，裸袒箕踞，謂之八達。故鄰家之女，折其兩齒。世為謠曰：『任達不已，幼輿折齒。』鯤有勝情遠概，為朝廷之望，故時以庾亮方焉。」

The Jin yangqiu says, "Xie Kun came downriver in Wang Dun's train and entered the court, and saw the heir apparent in the Eastern Palace. Their talk went on until evening, and the heir apparent asked him quietly, 'Those who discuss you set you beside Yu Liang. Which do you think the better?' He answered, 'In the beauty of the ancestral temple and the abundance of the hundred officers, your servant is not Liang's equal. In letting my mind go free among hills and valleys, I think myself the better of him.'" Deng Can's Jin ji says, "Xie Kun and Wang Cheng's company longed after the men of the Bamboo Grove. They let their hair down loose, stripped themselves bare and sat sprawling with their legs out, and called themselves the Eight Free Spirits. So a girl of the house next door broke two of his teeth. The world made a song about it: 'His free ways never stopping, Youyu broke his teeth.' Xie Kun had fine feeling and a far-reaching air and was the hope of the court, and for this reason they set him beside Yu Liang at the time."

王氏譜曰：「潁字茂英，位至議郎，年二十卒。敞字茂平，丞相祭酒，不就。襲爵堂邑公，年二十有二而卒。」

The Wang shi pu says, "Wang Ying's courtesy name was Maoying. His position reached gentleman consultant, and he died at twenty. Wang Chang's courtesy name was Maoping. He was made libationer to the chancellor but did not take up the post. He succeeded to the rank of duke of Tangyi, and died at the age of twenty-two."

按顗死彌年，明帝乃即位。世說此言妄矣。

By my reckoning, Zhou Yi had been dead a year and more when Emperor Ming came to the throne. This saying in the Shishuo is careless.

晉諸公贊曰：「夷甫性矜峻，少為同志所推。」

The Jin zhugong zan says, "Yifu was proud and severe by nature, and from his youth he was pushed forward by those of like mind."

未詳宋褘。

Nothing is known in detail about Song Yi.

按諸書皆以謝鯤比亮，不聞周顗。

By my reckoning, all the books set Xie Kun beside Yu Liang, and none speaks of Zhou Yi.

王述狷隘故也。

This was because Wang Shu was narrow and hemmed in.

按太尉劉寔論王肅：方於事上，好下佞己，性嗜榮貴，不求苟合，治身不穢，尤惜財物。王、郗志性，儻亦同乎？

By my reckoning, the Grand Commandant Liu Shi discussed Wang Su thus: "He is square in serving those above him, yet he likes those below to flatter him; by nature he relishes glory and rank, yet he does not seek to fit himself meanly to others; he orders his person without soiling it, yet he is uncommonly sparing of goods." Were the aims and natures of Wang and Chi perhaps the same?

溫氏譜序曰：「晉大夫卻至封於溫，子孫因氏，居太原祁縣，為郡著姓。」

The preface to the Wen shi pu says, "Xi Zhi, a great officer of Jin, was enfeoffed at Wen, and his descendants took it as their surname. They lived at Qi county in Taiyuan and became a distinguished family of the commandery."

前篇及諸書皆云王公重何充，謂必代己相。而此章以手指地，意如輕詆。或清言析理，何不逮謝故邪？

The earlier chapters and the various books all say that His Excellency Wang held He Chong in esteem and said he would surely take his own place as chancellor. Yet here he points at the ground with his hand, and the sense is as though he made light of him. Was it perhaps that in pure talk and in splitting principle He Chong did not come up to Xie Shang?

晉陽秋曰：「充所暱庸雜，以此損名。」

The Jin yangqiu says, "Those He Chong kept close to him were mediocre and mixed, and by this he lost something of his name."

語林曰：「阮光祿聞何次道為宰相，歎曰：『我當何處生活？』」此則阮未許何為鼎輔，二說便相符也。

The Yulin says, "When Ruan, the grand master of splendid happiness, heard that He Cidao had become chancellor, he sighed and said, 'Where am I to make my living now?'" This means that Ruan You did not grant He Chong a place among the three highest offices, and so the two accounts agree with each other.

劉綏已見。

Liu Sui has already appeared.

郗愔別傳曰：「愔字方回，高平金鄉人，太宰鑒長子也。淵靖純素，無執無競，簡私暱，罕交遊。歷會稽內史、侍中、司徒。」

The Chi Yin biezhuan says, "Chi Yin's courtesy name was Fanghui; he was a man of Jinxiang in Gaoping and the eldest son of Chi Jian, the grand steward. He was deep and still, pure and plain, holding to nothing and contending over nothing. He kept his private attachments few and rarely went about in company. He served as Clerk of the Interior of Kuaiji, palace attendant, and minister of education."

中興書曰：「裕以人不須廣學，正應以禮讓為先，故終日頹然，無所修綜，而物自宗之。」

The Zhongxing shu says, "Ruan You held that a man need not learn widely, but should simply put the rites and yielding first. So all day long he sat as though collapsed and took up nothing to cultivate, and yet things of themselves made him their head."

理本真率，巧則乖其致；道唯虛澹，俊則違其宗。所以二子不免也。

Principle is by its root true and direct, so cleverness runs counter to what it attains. The Way is only empty and calm, so brilliance goes against its source. For this reason the two men could not escape.

晉陽秋曰：「齊王攸，字大猷，文帝第二子。孝敬忠肅，清和平允，親賢下士，仁惠好施。能屬文，善尺牘。初，荀勖、馮紞為武帝親幸，攸惡勖之佞，勖懼攸或嗣立，必誅己，且攸甚得眾心，朝賢景附。會帝有疾，攸及皇太子入問訊，朝士皆屬目於攸，而不在太子。至是勖從容曰：『陛下萬年後，太子不得立也。』帝曰：『何故？』勖曰：『百寮內外，皆歸心於齊王，太子安得立乎？陛下試詔齊王歸國，必舉朝謂之不可。若然，則臣言徵矣。』侍中馮紞又曰：『陛下必欲建諸侯，成五等，宜從親始，親莫若齊王。』帝從之。於是下詔，使攸之國。攸聞勖、紞間己，憂忿不知所為。入辭，出，歐血薨。帝哭之慟。馮紞侍曰：『齊王名過其實，而天下歸之。今自薨殞，陛下何哀之甚？』帝乃止。劉毅聞之，故終身稱疾焉。」

The Jin yangqiu says, "Sima You, prince of Qi, had the courtesy name Dayou and was the second son of Emperor Wen. He was filial and respectful, loyal and grave, pure and harmonious, even and trustworthy. He drew near to the worthy and humbled himself before gentlemen, and being kind and generous he loved to give. He could compose writings and was good at letters. At first Xun Xu and Feng Dan were favorites of Emperor Wu. You hated Xun Xu's flattery, and Xun Xu feared that if You should come to the throne he would surely be put to death; moreover You had greatly won the hearts of the multitude, and the worthies of the court attached themselves to him like shadows. It happened that the emperor was ill, and You and the heir apparent came in to inquire after him, and the gentlemen of the court all fixed their eyes on You and not on the heir apparent. At this Xun Xu said quietly, 'After Your Majesty's ten thousand years the heir apparent will not be able to take the throne.' The emperor said, 'Why is that?' Xun Xu said, 'All the officers within and without turn their hearts to the prince of Qi. How can the heir apparent take the throne? Let Your Majesty try ordering the prince of Qi back to his fief, and the whole court will surely say it must not be. If that is so, then your servant's words are proved.' The palace attendant Feng Dan said further, 'If Your Majesty is set on establishing feudal lords and completing the five ranks, you should begin with your kin, and among your kin there is none like the prince of Qi.' The emperor followed this. So an edict was sent down making You go to his fief. When You heard that Xun Xu and Feng Dan had come between him and the emperor, he was grieved and enraged and did not know what to do. He went in to take his leave, came out, vomited blood, and died. The emperor wept for him bitterly. Feng Dan, who was in attendance, said, 'The prince of Qi's name went beyond his substance, and yet the world turned to him. Now he has died of himself. Why does Your Majesty grieve so deeply?' The emperor then stopped. When Liu Yi heard of this he pleaded illness for the rest of his life."

武帝兆禍亂，覆神州，在斯而已。輿隸且知其若此，況宣武之弘俊乎？此言非也。

Emperor Wu made the omens of calamity and disorder and overturned the sacred land, and it lay in just this. Even the man who pulls a carriage knows that it was so; how much more one as broad and outstanding as Xuanwu? These words are wrong.

遐與浩並能清言。

Pei Xia and Yin Hao were both able in pure talk.

徐廣晉紀曰：「凡稱風流者，皆舉王、劉為宗焉。」

Xu Guang's Jin ji says, "All who speak of elegance and style take Wang Meng and Liu Tan for their head."

桓溫別傳曰：「興寧九年，以溫克復舊京，肅靜華夏，進都督中外諸軍事、侍中、大司馬，加黃鉞，使入參朝政。」

The Huan Wen biezhuan says, "In the ninth year of Xingning, because Wen had recovered the old capital and brought the Chinese heartland to grave quiet, he was advanced to commander in chief of all military affairs within and without, palace attendant, and grand marshal. The yellow battle-axe was added to him, and he was made to enter and take part in the government of the court."

續晉陽秋曰：「簡文輔政，引殷浩為揚州，欲以抗桓。桓素輕浩，未之憚也。」

The Xu Jin yangqiu says, "When Emperor Jianwen was assisting the government he drew Yin Hao in to hold Yangzhou, wishing to set him against Huan. Huan had always made light of Hao and was not in awe of him."

安南，謝奉也。已見。謝氏譜曰：「奉弟聘，字弘遠。歷侍中、廷尉卿。」

Annan is Xie Feng. He has already appeared. The Xie shi pu says, "Feng's younger brother Xie Pin had the courtesy name Hongyuan. He served as palace attendant and as chief minister of justice."

中興書曰：「巖字彭祖，會稽山陰人。父儉，黃門侍郎。巖有才學，歷丹陽尹、尚書、西陽侯，在朝多所匡正。為吳興太守，大得民和。後卒於家。」

The Zhongxing shu says, "Kong Yan's courtesy name was Pengzu; he was a man of Shanyin in Kuaiji. His father Kong Jian was gentleman attendant of the yellow gate. Kong Yan had talent and learning. He served as Governor of Danyang, as a minister of the Department of State Affairs, and as marquis of Xiyang, and he set many things right at court. He became Governor of Wuxing and greatly won the concord of the people. Later he died at home."

言奉任天真也。

This says that Xie Feng trusted himself to what is true by nature.

論語曰：「微子去之，箕子為之奴，比干諫而死。子曰：『殷有三仁焉。』」「子路曰：『桓公殺公子糾，召忽死之，管仲不死，曰未仁乎？』子曰：『桓公九合諸侯，一匡天下，不以兵車，管仲之力。如其仁！如其仁！』」

The Lunyu says, "Weizi left him, Jizi became his slave, and Bi Gan remonstrated and died. The Master said, 'In Yin there were three men of humanity.'" The Lunyu also says, "Zilu said, 'Duke Huan killed the young prince Jiu. Shao Hu died for him, but Guan Zhong did not die. Would you say he was not humane?' The Master said, 'That Duke Huan gathered the feudal lords nine times and set the world right at a stroke, and not with war chariots, was the strength of Guan Zhong. Such was his humanity! Such was his humanity!'"

桓伊已見。

Huan Yi has already appeared.

虎，衛玠小字。玠別傳曰：「永和中，劉真長、謝仁祖共商略中朝人。或問：『杜弘治可方衛洗馬不？』謝曰：『安得比！其閒可容數人。』」江左名士傳曰：「劉真長曰：『吾請評之，弘治膚清，叔寶神清。』論者謂為知言。」

Hu was Wei Jie's childhood name. The Jie biezhuan says, "In the Yonghe years Liu Zhenchang and Xie Renzu together weighed and discussed the men of the central court. Someone asked, 'Can Du Hongzhi be set beside Wei the tutor of the heir apparent?' Xie said, 'How can they be compared? Several men could be held in the space between them.'" The Jiangzuo mingshi zhuan says, "Liu Zhenchang said, 'Let me appraise them. Hongzhi is clear in the skin; Shubao is clear in spirit.' Those who discuss it called this a knowing word."

阿奴，濛小字也。都，美也。司馬相如傳曰：「閑雅甚都。」語林曰：「劉真長與丞相不相得，每曰：『阿奴比丞相，條達清長。』」

Anu was Wang Meng's childhood name. Du means beautiful. The Life of Sima Xiangru says, "He was leisurely and refined, and most beautiful." The Yulin says, "Liu Zhenchang did not get on with the chancellor, and always said, 'Anu, set beside the chancellor, is branching and free, pure and long.'"

類秀之任率也。

It means that he was like Xiang Xiu in letting himself go freely.

西陽即孔巖也。

Xiyang is Kong Yan.

晉諸公贊曰：「李重字茂曾，江夏鍾武人。少以清尚見稱。歷吏部郎、平陽太守。」

The Jin zhugong zan says, "Li Zhong's courtesy name was Maozeng; he was a man of Zhongwu in Jiangxia. In his youth he was praised for purity and loftiness. He served as gentleman of the bureau of personnel and as Governor of Pingyang."

晉陽秋曰：「趙王倫篡位，樂廣與滿奮、崔隨進璽綬。」

The Jin yangqiu says, "When Sima Lun, the prince of Zhao, usurped the throne, Yue Guang with Man Fen and Cui Sui presented the seal and its ribbon."

晉諸公贊曰：「趙王為相國，取重為左司馬，重以倫將篡，辭疾不就。敦喻之，重不復自治，至於篤甚。扶曳受拜，數日卒。時人惜之。贈散騎常侍。」

The Jin zhugong zan says, "When the prince of Zhao became chancellor of state he took Li Zhong to be his marshal of the left, but Li Zhong, because Lun was about to usurp the throne, pleaded illness and did not take up the post. When he was earnestly urged, Li Zhong no longer tended himself at all, until he grew gravely ill. He was held up and helped along to receive the appointment, and died a few days later. Men of the time regretted him. He was granted after death the office of cavalier attendant in ordinary."

中興書曰：「羲之自會稽王友，改授臨川太守。王述從驃騎功曹，出為宛陵令。述之為宛陵，多脩為家之具，初有勞苦之聲。丞相王導使人謂之曰：『名父之子，屈臨小縣，甚不宜爾。』述答曰：『足自當止。』時人未之達也。後屢臨州郡，無所造作，世始歎服之。」

The Zhongxing shu says, "Wang Xizhi passed from being companion to the prince of Kuaiji to be appointed Governor of Linchuan. Wang Shu went out from being officer of merit to the general of swift cavalry to be prefect of Wanling. When Wang Shu was at Wanling he put together a great many household goods, and at first there was talk of his hard grasping. Chancellor Wang Dao sent a man to say to him, 'That the son of a famous father should bend himself to a small county is most unfitting.' Wang Shu answered, 'When I have enough I shall of myself stop.' Men of the time did not understand him. Later he came again and again to provinces and commanderies and made nothing for himself, and the world then began to sigh in admiration and bow to him."

劉惔別傳曰：「惔有俊才，其談詠虛勝，理會所歸，王濛略同，而敘致過之，其詞當也。」

The Liu Tan biezhuan says, "Liu Tan had outstanding talent. In his talk and his chanting he was empty and excellent, and in where his grasp of principle came to rest he was much the same as Wang Meng, but he surpassed him in setting it forth, and his words were fitting."

中興書曰：「萬之為豫州，氐、羌暴掠司、豫，鮮卑屯結并、冀，萬既受方任，自率眾人潁，以援洛陽。萬矜豪傲物，失士眾之心。北中郎郗曇以疾還彭城，萬以為賊盛致退，便向還南，遂自潰亂，狼狽單歸。太宗責之，廢為庶人。」

The Zhongxing shu says, "When Xie Wan held Yuzhou, the Di and the Qiang were plundering Sizhou and Yuzhou fiercely, and the Xianbei were encamped and gathered in Bingzhou and Jizhou. Wan, having received his charge in the region, led his men himself into the Ying river to relieve Luoyang. Wan was proud and overbearing and looked down on others, and he lost the hearts of his officers and men. When Chi Tan, gentleman of the household of the north, went back to Pengcheng because of illness, Wan took it that he had withdrawn before the strength of the enemy, and at once turned south for home. Then his army broke up of itself in confusion, and he came back alone in headlong flight. Taizong reproached him and stripped him of rank, making him a commoner."

尚書大傳曰：「孔子曰：『文王有四友，自吾得回也，門人加親，是非胥附邪？自吾得賜也，遠方之士至，是非奔走邪？自吾得師也，前有輝，後有光，是非先後邪？自吾得由也，惡言不入於耳，是非禦侮邪？』」

The Shangshu dazhuan says, "Confucius said, 'King Wen had four friends. Since I got Yan Hui, my disciples have grown closer to me. Is this not drawing together? Since I got Zigong, gentlemen from far places have come. Is this not hastening to me? Since I got Zizhang, there has been brightness before and light behind. Is this not going before and coming after? Since I got Zilu, evil words have not entered my ears. Is this not warding off insult?'"

羊祜德高一世，才經夷險。淵源蒸燭之曜，豈喻日月之明也。

Yang Hu's virtue was lofty in his age, and his talent carried him through smooth ground and rough. How should the glow of Yuanyuan's candle be likened to the brightness of the sun and moon?

大司馬官屬名曰：「劉奭字文時，彭城人。」劉氏譜曰：「奭祖昶，彭城內史。父濟，臨海令。奭歷車騎咨議、長沙相、散騎常侍。」

The Dasima guanshu ming says, "Liu Shi's courtesy name was Wenshi; he was a man of Pengcheng." The Liu shi pu says, "Shi's grandfather Liu Chang was administrator of Pengcheng; his father Liu Ji was prefect of Linhai. Shi served as consultant to the general of chariots and cavalry, as chancellor of Changsha, and as cavalier attendant in ordinary."

中興書曰：「萬器量不及安石，雖居藩任，安在私門之時，名稱居萬上也。」

The Zhongxing shu says, "Xie Wan did not reach Anshi in vessel and capacity. Though Wan held a charge on the frontier, even in the days when Anshi was still in his private house his name and repute stood above Wan's."

謂能多出有也。

This means that he could bring out much of what he had.

石崇《金谷詩敘》曰：「余以元康六年，從太僕卿出為使，持節監青、徐諸軍事、征虜將軍。有別廬在河南縣界金谷澗中，或高或下，有清泉茂林，眾果竹柏、藥草之屬，莫不畢備。又有水碓、魚池、土窟，其為娛目歡心之物備矣。時征西大將軍祭酒王詡當還長安，余與眾賢共送往澗中，晝夜遊宴，屢遷其坐。或登高臨下，或列坐水濱。時琴瑟笙筑，合載車中，道路並作。及住，令與鼓吹遞奏。遂各賦詩，以敘中懷。或不能者，罰酒三斗。感性命之不永，懼凋落之無期。故具列時人官號、姓名、年紀，又寫詩箸後。後之好事者，其覽之哉！凡三十人，吳王師、議郎、關中侯、始平武功蘇紹字世嗣，年五十，為首。」魏書曰：「蘇則字文師，扶風武功人。剛直疾惡，常慕汲黯之為人。仕至侍中、河東相。」晉百官名曰：「愉字休豫，則次子。」山濤啟事曰：「愉忠義有智意，位至光祿大夫。」

Shi Chong's Preface to the Jingu Poems says, "In the sixth year of Yuankang I went out from being chief minister of the imperial stud to serve as envoy, holding the tally, overseeing the military affairs of Qingzhou and Xuzhou as general who chastises brigands. I had a country lodge within the bounds of Henan county, in the ravine of Jingu. Now high, now low, it had clear springs and thick woods, and there was nothing wanting of fruit trees and bamboo and cypress and medicinal herbs of every kind. There were also water mills, fish ponds, and earthen cellars, so that everything that gladdens the eye and delights the heart was there. At that time Wang Xu, libationer to the great general who chastises the west, was to return to Chang'an, and I and the worthies of the company saw him off as far as the ravine, roaming and feasting by day and by night and moving our seats again and again. Now we climbed high and looked down, now we sat in a row by the water's edge. Then lute and zither, mouth organ and zhu were loaded together in the carriages and played all along the road, and when we halted I had them play in turn with the drums and pipes. At last each of us made a poem to set out what was in his heart, and whoever could not was punished with three pecks of wine. Feeling that life and its span are not long, and fearing that withering and falling come with no appointed time, I have therefore set out in full the offices, names, and ages of the men of that day, and written the poems after them. Let lovers of such things in days to come look upon it. They were thirty men in all, and the first was Su Shao of Wugong in Shiping, tutor to the prince of Wu, gentleman consultant, and marquis of Guanzhong, whose courtesy name was Shisi and who was fifty years old." The Wei shu says, "Su Ze's courtesy name was Wenshi; he was a man of Wugong in Fufeng. He was firm and straight and hated what was evil, and he always longed after the character of Ji An. In office he reached palace attendant and chancellor of Hedong." The Jin baiguan ming says, "Su Yu's courtesy name was Xiuyu; he was Su Ze's second son." The Shan Tao qishi says, "Su Yu was loyal and right and had wisdom and purpose, and his position reached grand master of splendid happiness."

名士傳曰：「敳頹然淵放，莫有動其聽者。」

The Mingshi zhuan says, "Yu Ai was as though collapsed, deep and unbound, and there was no one who could stir his listening."

中興書曰：「孫統字承公，太原人。善屬文，時人謂其有祖楚風。仕至餘姚令。」

The Zhongxing shu says, "Sun Tong's courtesy name was Chenggong; he was a man of Taiyuan. He was good at composing, and men of the time said he had the manner of his grandfather Sun Chu. In office he reached prefect of Yuyao."

陳逵別傳曰：「逵字林道，潁川許昌人。祖淮，太尉。父畛，光祿大夫。逵少有榦，以清敏立名。襲封廣陵公、黃門郎、西中郎將，領梁、淮南二郡太守。」

The Chen Kui biezhuan says, "Chen Kui's courtesy name was Lindao; he was a man of Xuchang in Yingchuan. His grandfather Chen Zhun was Grand Commandant; his father Chen Zhen was grand master of splendid happiness. Kui in his youth had ability and made his name by purity and quickness. He succeeded to the rank of duke of Guangling, and as gentleman of the yellow gate and general of the household of the west he held the governorships of the two commanderies of Liang and Huainan."

王胡之別傳曰：「胡之好談諧，善屬文辭，為當世所重。」

The Wang Huzhi biezhuan says, "Huzhi loved talk and banter and was good at composing in prose and verse, and he was held in esteem in that age."

宋明帝文章志曰：「綽博涉經史，長於屬文，與許詢俱與負俗之談。詢卒不降志，而綽嬰綸世務焉。」續晉陽秋曰：「綽雖有文才，而誕縱多穢行，時人鄙之。」

The Wenzhang zhi of Emperor Ming of Song says, "Sun Chuo ranged widely over the classics and the histories and excelled at composing, and together with Xu Xun he was talked of as having turned his back on the world. Xu Xun in the end never lowered his aims, while Chuo bound himself up in the business of the world." The Xu Jin yangqiu says, "Though Chuo had talent in letters, he was extravagant and unrestrained and much of his conduct was foul, and men of the time looked down on him."

凡徹詣者，蓋深覈之名也。謝不徹，王亦不詣。謝、王於理，相與為朋儔也。

In general, to pierce through and reach is a name for examining deeply. Xie An did not pierce through, and Wang Xizhi did not reach either. In principle Xie and Wang were companions and friends to each other.

庾龢已見。

Yu He has already appeared.

僧恩，王禕之小字也。王氏世家曰：「禕之字文劭，述次子。少知名，尚尋陽公主。仕至中書郎，未三十而卒。坦之悼念，與桓溫稱之，贈散騎常侍。」

Sengen was Wang Weizhi's childhood name. The Wang shi shijia says, "Wang Weizhi's courtesy name was Wenshao; he was Wang Shu's second son. In his youth he was known by name, and he married the princess of Xunyang. In office he reached gentleman of the secretariat, and died before he was thirty. Wang Tanzhi mourned and longed for him and spoke of him to Huan Wen, and he was granted after death the office of cavalier attendant in ordinary."

言其有才而無德也。

This says that he had talent but no virtue.

支遁傳曰：「遁神悟機發，風期所得，自然超邁也。」

The Zhi Dun zhuan says, "Zhi Dun's spirit awoke and his inward spring opened, and what he attained in manner and promise soared above others of itself."

史記曰：「廉頗者，趙良將也。以勇氣聞諸侯。藺相如者，趙人也。趙惠文王時，得楚和氏璧，秦昭王請以十五城易之。趙遣相如送璧，秦受之，無還城意。相如請璧示其瑕，因持璧卻立倚柱，怒髮上衝冠曰：『王欲急臣，臣頭今與璧俱碎。』秦王謝之。後秦王使趙王鼓瑟，相如請秦王擊筑。趙以相如功大，拜上卿，位在廉頗上。」

The Shiji says, "Lian Po was a good general of Zhao. He was known to the feudal lords for his daring spirit. Lin Xiangru was a man of Zhao. In the time of King Huiwen of Zhao they got the jade disk of Mr. He of Chu, and King Zhao of Qin asked to exchange fifteen walled towns for it. Zhao sent Xiangru to deliver the disk, and Qin received it with no intention of giving up the towns. Xiangru asked to point out a flaw in the disk, and with that he took the disk, drew back and leaned against a pillar, and with his angry hair thrusting up his cap he said, 'If Your Majesty would press your servant hard, your servant's head and the disk will be shattered together this moment.' The king of Qin made his apology. Later the king of Qin made the king of Zhao play the se, and Xiangru asked the king of Qin to strike the zhu. Zhao held Xiangru's merit to be great and appointed him high minister, with his place above Lian Po's."

蜍，曹茂之小字也。曹氏譜曰：「茂之字永世，彭城人也。祖韶，鎮東將軍司馬。父曼，少府卿。茂之仕至尚書郎。」

Chu was Cao Maozhi's childhood name. The Cao shi pu says, "Cao Maozhi's courtesy name was Yongshi; he was a man of Pengcheng. His grandfather Cao Shao was marshal to the general who guards the east; his father Cao Man was chief minister of the privy treasury. Maozhi in office reached gentleman of the Department of State Affairs."

晉百官名曰：「志字溫祖，江夏鍾武人。」李氏譜曰：「志祖重，散騎常侍。父慕，純陽令。志仕至員外常侍、南康相。」

The Jin baiguan ming says, "Li Zhi's courtesy name was Wenzu; he was a man of Zhongwu in Jiangxia." The Li shi pu says, "Zhi's grandfather Li Zhong was cavalier attendant in ordinary; his father Li Mu was prefect of Chunyang. Zhi in office reached supernumerary attendant in ordinary and chancellor of Nankang."

言人皆如曹、李質魯淳慤，則天下無姦民，可結繩致治。然才智無聞，功跡俱滅，身盡於狐狸，無擅世之名也。

This says that if all men were as dull and simple and honest in grain as Cao and Li, there would be no crafty people in the world and one could come to govern by knotting cords. Yet their talent and wisdom are never heard of, their merit and their traces perish alike, and their bodies are used up by foxes and wildcats, so that they have no name to hold in the world.

僧奴，孫騰小字也。晉百官名曰：「騰字伯海，太原人。」中興書曰：「騰，紞子也。博學。歷中庶子、廷尉。」

Sengnu was Sun Teng's childhood name. The Jin baiguan ming says, "Sun Teng's courtesy name was Bohai; he was a man of Taiyuan." The Zhongxing shu says, "Sun Teng was Sun Dan's son. He was widely learned. He served as household steward of the heir apparent and as chief minister of justice."

殷羡言行曰：「時有人稱庾太尉理者。羡曰：『此公好舉宗本槌人。』」

The Yin Xian yanxing says, "At that time someone praised the principle of Yu the Grand Commandant. Xian said, 'This gentleman likes to take up the root of the doctrine and beat people with it.'"

魏氏春秋曰：「山濤通簡有德，秀、咸、戎、伶朗達有俊才。於時之談，以阮為首，王戎次之，山、向之徒，皆其倫也。」若如盛言，則非無臧貶，此言謬也。

The Weishi chunqiu says, "Shan Tao was penetrating and plain and had virtue; Xiang Xiu, Ruan Xian, Wang Rong, and Liu Ling were clear and free and had outstanding talent. In the talk of that day Ruan Ji was put first, Wang Rong next, and the company of Shan Tao and Xiang Xiu were all their fellows." If it is as Sun Sheng says, then praise and blame were not lacking, and these words are mistaken.

續晉陽秋曰：「坦之雅貴有識量，風格峻整。」

The Xu Jin yangqiu says, "Wang Tanzhi was refined and noble and had discernment and capacity, and his manner and bearing were severe and well ordered."

王氏譜曰：「操之字子重，羲之第六子。歷秘書監、侍中、尚書、豫章太守。」

The Wang shi pu says, "Wang Caozhi's courtesy name was Zizhong; he was Wang Xizhi's sixth son. He served as director of the palace library, palace attendant, minister of the Department of State Affairs, and Governor of Yuzhang."

宋明帝文章志曰：「獻之善隸書，變右軍法為今體。字畫秀媚，妙絕時倫，與父俱得名。其章草疏弱，殊不及父。或訊獻之云：『羲之書勝不？』『莫能判。』有問羲之云：『世論卿書不逮獻之？』答曰：『殊不爾也。』它日見獻之，問：『尊君書何如？』獻之不答。又問：『論者云，君固當不如？』獻之笑而答曰：『人那得知之也。』」

The Wenzhang zhi of Emperor Ming of Song says, "Wang Xianzhi was good at clerical script, and he changed the Right Army's method into the form of today. The strokes of his characters were fine and lovely, marvelously beyond the men of his time, and he won a name together with his father. His draft cursive was thin and weak and fell far short of his father's. Someone questioned Xianzhi, saying, 'Is Xizhi's calligraphy the better?' He said, 'No one can judge.' Someone asked Xizhi, 'The world says your calligraphy does not come up to Xianzhi's.' He answered, 'It is not so at all.' On another day the man saw Xianzhi and asked, 'How is your father's calligraphy?' Xianzhi did not answer. He asked again, 'Those who discuss it say that you must of course be the lesser.' Xianzhi laughed and answered, 'How should people know?'"

續晉陽秋曰：「獻之文義並非所長，而能撮其勝會，故擅名一時，為風流之冠也。」

The Xu Jin yangqiu says, "Neither letters nor right feeling were what Xianzhi was good at, but he could gather up the best that came together in others, and so he held a name alone in his day and was first in elegance and style."

言濛質，而惔文也。

This says that Wang Meng was substance and Liu Tan was ornament.

嵇康高士傳曰：「丹字大春，扶風郿人。博學高論，京師為之語曰：『五經紛綸井大春，未嘗書刺謁一人。』北宮五王更請，莫能致。新陽侯陰就使人要之，不得已而行。侯設麥飯、蔥菜，以觀其意，丹推卻曰：『以君侯能供美膳，故來相過，何謂如此！』乃出盛饌。侯起，左右進輦，丹笑曰：『聞桀、紂駕人車，此所謂人車者邪？』侯即去輦。越騎梁松，貴震朝廷，請交丹，丹不肯見。後丹得時疾，松自將醫視之。病愈久之，松失大男磊，丹一往弔之，時賓客滿廷，丹裘褐不完，入門，坐者皆悚，望其顏色。丹四向長揖，前與松語，客主禮畢後，長揖徑坐，莫得與語。不肯為吏，徑出，後遂隱遁。其贊曰：『井丹高潔，不慕榮貴。抗節五王，不交非類。顯譏輦車，左右失氣。披褐長揖，義陵群萃。』」「司馬相如者，蜀郡成都人，字長卿。初為郎，事景帝。梁孝王來朝，從遊說士鄒陽等，相如說之，因病免遊梁。後過臨卬，富人卓王孫女文君新寡，好音，相如以琴心挑之，文君奔之，俱歸成都。後居貧，至臨卬買酒舍，文君當壚，相如著犢鼻巾軍，滌器市中。為人口吃，善屬文。仕宦不慕高爵，常託疾不與公卿大事。終於家。其贊曰：『長卿慢世，越禮自放。犢鼻居市，不恥其狀。託疾避官，蔑此卿相。乃賦大人，超然莫尚。』」

Ji Kang's Gaoshi zhuan says, "Jing Dan's courtesy name was Dachun; he was a man of Mei in Fufeng. He was widely learned and lofty in argument, and in the capital they made a saying about him: 'Jing Dachun, in whom the five classics are woven together, has never written out a card to call on a single man.' The five princes of the Northern Palace asked for him by turns, but none could bring him. Yin Jiu, marquis of Xinyang, sent men to invite him, and he went because he could not help it. The marquis set out barley rice and onions and greens to see what he would think of it, and Jing Dan pushed them away and said, 'I came and called on you because you, my lord marquis, could set out good fare. What do you mean by this?' Then fine dishes were brought out. When the marquis rose, his attendants brought up a hand-drawn carriage, and Jing Dan laughed and said, 'I have heard that Jie and Zhou rode in carriages drawn by men. Is this what is called a man-drawn carriage?' The marquis at once sent the carriage away. Liang Song, the mounted escort commandant, was so noble that he shook the court, and he asked to make friends with Jing Dan, but Jing Dan would not see him. Later Jing Dan caught an epidemic sickness, and Liang Song himself brought a physician to see him. Long after he had recovered, Liang Song lost his eldest son Lei, and Jing Dan went once to condole with him. The courtyard was then full of guests, and Jing Dan's furs and hempen clothes were not whole. When he came in at the gate all who were seated were afraid and watched his face. Jing Dan bowed low to the four quarters, went forward and spoke with Liang Song, and when the rites of guest and host were done he bowed low and sat straight down, and no one could speak with him. He would not become an official, and went straight out, and afterward he lived hidden. The eulogy on him says, 'Jing Dan was lofty and pure, and did not long for glory and rank. He set his integrity against the five princes and made no friends outside his kind. He openly reproached the hand-drawn carriage, and those about it lost their spirit. He threw on hempen clothes and bowed low, and his righteousness rose above the whole crowd.'" It also says, "Sima Xiangru was a man of Chengdu in Shu commandery, and his courtesy name was Changqing. At first he became a gentleman of the palace and served Emperor Jing. When King Xiao of Liang came to court he brought with him wandering persuaders such as Zou Yang, and Xiangru was delighted with him, and so pleaded illness, gave up his post, and roamed to Liang. Later he passed through Linqiong, where the daughter of the rich man Zhuo Wangsun, Wenjun, had lately been widowed and was fond of music. Xiangru drew her out with the heart of his lute, and Wenjun ran off with him, and they went back together to Chengdu. Later they lived in poverty, and they went to Linqiong and bought a wine shop. Wenjun kept the counter, and Xiangru put on short breeches and washed the vessels in the market. He stammered in speech, but he was good at composing. In office he did not long for high rank, and he always pleaded illness and took no part in the great affairs of the ministers. He ended his days at home. The eulogy on him says, 'Changqing held the world in scorn and overstepped the rites, letting himself go. In short breeches he lived in the market and was not ashamed of his figure. He pleaded illness to avoid office and made light of ministers and chancellors. Then he composed the Rhapsody on the Great Man, soaring so far that nothing stood above it.'"

袁氏譜曰：「恪之字元祖，陳郡陽夏人。祖王孫，司徒從事中郎。父綸，臨汝令。恪之仕黃門侍郎，義熙初為侍中。」

The Yuan shi pu says, "Yuan Kezhi's courtesy name was Yuanzu; he was a man of Yangxia in Chen commandery. His grandfather Yuan Wangsun was gentleman of the household and retainer to the minister of education; his father Yuan Lun was prefect of Linru. Kezhi served as gentleman attendant of the yellow gate, and at the beginning of the Yixi years he became palace attendant."

謂超拔也。

This means soaring above others.

中興書曰：「謐字雅遠，丞相導孫，車騎劭子。有才器，襲爵武岡侯，位至司徒。」

The Zhongxing shu says, "Wang Mi's courtesy name was Yayuan; he was a grandson of chancellor Wang Dao and a son of Wang Shao, the general of chariots and cavalry. He had talent and capacity, succeeded to the rank of marquis of Wugang, and his position reached minister of education."

領軍王洽，珣之父也。年二十六卒。珣意以其父名德過坦之而無年，故致此論。

The commander of the army, Wang Qia, was Wang Xun's father. He died at the age of twenty-six. Wang Xun meant that his father's name and virtue went beyond Wang Tanzhi's, but that he had no years, and so he came to say this.

謂條暢也。

This means branching out freely.

不言若羲之，而言勝胡之。

He did not say that he was like Wang Xizhi, but that he was better than Wang Huzhi.

王氏譜曰：「楨之字公榦，琅邪人，徽之子。歷侍中、大司馬長史。」第七叔，獻之也。

The Wang shi pu says, "Wang Zhenzhi's courtesy name was Gonggan; he was a man of Langye and a son of Wang Huizhi. He served as palace attendant and as Chief Clerk to the grand marshal." The seventh uncle was Wang Xianzhi.

劉瑾集敘曰：「瑾字仲璋，南陽人。祖遐，父暢。暢娶王羲之女，生瑾。瑾有才力，歷尚書、太常卿。」

The preface to the collected works of Liu Jin says, "Liu Jin's courtesy name was Zhongzhang; he was a man of Nanyang. His grandfather was Liu Xia and his father Liu Chang. Liu Chang married a daughter of Wang Xizhi and begot Jin. Jin had talent and strength, and served as minister of the Department of State Affairs and chief minister of ceremonies."

莊子曰：「樝、梨、橘、柚，其味相反，皆可於口也。」

The Zhuangzi says, "Hawthorn and pear, tangerine and pomelo are opposite to one another in taste, yet all of them please the mouth."

中興書曰：「謙字敬祖，沖第三子。尚書僕射、中軍將軍。」晉安帝紀曰：「仲文有器貌才思。」

The Zhongxing shu says, "Huan Qian's courtesy name was Jingzu; he was Huan Chong's third son. He was vice director of the Department of State Affairs and general of the central army." The Jin Andi ji says, "Yin Zhongwen had capacity and presence, talent and thought."