One day, Ping Gong, the King of the State of Jin, said to his minister Shi Kuang: "I am over 70years old.

有一天，晋国君主晋平公对他的臣子师旷说:“我已经七十多岁了。

Though I "am eager to read some books, I feel it is too late."

虽然很想读些书，但是，总觉得时间太晚了!”

Shi Kuang said: "Too late? Why don't you light the candle?"

师旷说: “时间太晚吗?为卜么不把蜡烛点起来呢?”

Ping Gong said: "I am serious. But you go so far as to make fun of me!"

平公说: “我和你说正经话，怎么，你竟和我开起玩笑来了!”

Shi Kuang said: "How dare I, a blind minister, make fun of Your Majesty?

师旷说: “我这个双目失明的臣子，哪里敢和大王开玩笑!

I heard that when a man in his youth is fond of studying, he is like the rising sun, brilliant andmagnificent;

我听说，一个人在少年的时候好学，就像初升的太阳那样，辉煌而灿烂;

when a man in the prime of life is fond of studying, he is like the sun at noon, with still half aday's good time ahead;

壮年的时候好学，犹如正午的太阳，还有半天的好时光呢;

when a man in his old age is fond of studying, he is like the flame of a candle.

老年的时候好学，就像蜡烛的火焰一样。

Though the light is failing, it is better than groping in the dark."

蜡烛的光亮虽然是有限的，但是有了它，总比在黑暗中摸索着前进要好些吧!”

Hearing Shi Kuang's words, Ping Gong of Jin said with pleasure:

听了师旷的话，晋平公高兴地说:

"How well you have put it!"

“你说得多好啊!”