Du Fu Quotes

Beneath the light, the river and hills are beautiful, The spring breeze bears the fragrance of flowers and grass. The mud has thawed, and swallows fly around. On the warm sand, mandarin ducks are sleeping.

I see shining fish struggling within tight nets, while I hear orioles singing carefree tunes. Even trivial creatures know the difference between freedom and bondage. Sympathy and compassion should be but natural to the human heart.

This cream will help one's nature strengthen and grow, The diet gives support in my decline.

A falcon hovers at the edge of the sky.
Two gulls drift slowly up the river.
Vulnerable while they ride the wind,
they coast and glide with ease.
Dew is heavy on the grass below,
the spider's web is ready.
Heaven's ways include the human:
among a thousand sorrows, I stand alone.

At the edge of heaven, tatters of autumn
Cloud. After ten thousand miles of clear
Lovely morning, the west wind arrives. Here,
Long rains haven't slowed farmers. Frontier
Willows air thin kingfisher colors, and
Red fruit flecks mountain pears. As a flute's
Mongol song drifts from a tower, one
Goose climbs clear through vacant skies.

Drifting, drifting,/ what am I more than/ a single gull/ between sky and earth?

Wind, light and time ever revolve; Let us then enjoy life as best we can." from "The Winding River

Could I get mansions covering ten thousand miles, I'd house all the poor scholars and make them beam with smiles

Blue is the smoke of wrar, white the bones of men.

The bitter pinecone may be eaten, The mist on high give nourishment. The whole world takes to go-and-getting; My way alone is difficult.

My path is full of petals–I have swept it for no others.
My thatch gate has been closed–but opens now for you.
It's a long way to the market, I can offer you little–
Yet here in my cottage there is old wine for our cups.

My heart is in a world of water and crystal, My clothes are damp in this time of spring rains.

O, from the ancient days always there have been travelers. So why should I grieve?