Nov 09
On The Birth Of A Son (Su)
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On The Birth Of A Son, by Su Tung-Po, also known as Su Shi (1037-1101)
Families when a child is born
Hope it will turn out intelligent.
I, through intelligence
Having wrecked my whole life,
Only hope that the baby will prove
Ignorant and stupid.
Then he’ll be happy all his days
And grow into a cabinet minister.
(Trans. Arthur Waley)