Living

The Moo Mun

by Shi Jing (The Book of Songs) poems c. 1000–600 BC; compilation traditionally ascribed to Confucius

Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book XII

Living

Where through the gate in to the tombs we go,
Thick jujube trees, the axe requiring, grow.
Like them that man, who ill befits his place,
And through the State is reckoned a disgrace !
All know him bad, but to his course he’ll hold,
So long to evil has the man been sold.

Where through the gate in to the tombs we turn,
Owls perched upon the plum-trees we discern.
Such omen well may to that man belong,
Whom to admonish I now sing this song.
No welcome will the admonition find ;
When overthrown, my words he’ll call to mind.

✦ ✦ ✦

On some evil person who was going on obstinately to his ruin.

MLA

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Moo Mun.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/136/.

Chicago

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Moo Mun.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/136/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Shi Jing (The Book of Songs)