Fishes breed and grow in the waters;
Man develops in the way termed 'fortune.'
Growing in water, the fish clean the still water
Of ponds and lakes, and thus their nourishment
Is supplied to them.
Developing in the way of their fortune,
Men do nothing and thus the enjoyment
Of their life is secured.
Therefore it is said, "Fishes forget one another
In the ponds and lakes; men forget one another
In the arts of following their personal fortune."
What about the man who stands aloof
From all others? He stands aloof from other men,
But he lives in concert with Heaven's will.
Hence it is also said, "The small man of Heaven
Is the superior man among men; the superior man
Among men is the small man of Heaven. . ."
With all the same capital S pinned on his chest!
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But I know nothing of what is in heaven, so I will let it be.
Ron
who makes a difference among the "men of fortune." I love your
comparisons and the way you structure your poems.
Always,
Deborah