Bai Juyi

Quotes

• “言者不知知者默此語吾聞於老君若道老君是知者缘何自著五千文”
• “I am lucky not to have such bad habits. I only indulge myself in drinking wine and writing poetry. I am indeed indulgent, but what harm will that do?”
• “I set my eyes on the green mountain, and let my hair grow white.Who knows how many years I have left to live in this world?From now till the end of my life, there are only days of leisure.”
• “I lay my harp on the curved table,Sitting there idly, filled only with emotions.Why should I trouble to play?A breeze will come and sweep the strings.”
• “For ten years I never left my books;I went up ... and won unmerited praise.My high place I do not much prize;The joy of my parents will first make me proud.”
• “And I today ... by virtue of what rightHave I never once tended field or tree?My government-pay is three hundred tons;At the year's end I have still grain in hand.Thinking of this, secretly I grew ashamed; And all day the thought lingered in my head.”

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Key dates

Born

28 February 772

Died

23 September 846

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Wikidata facts

Instance of

human

Family name

Bai

Gender

male

Citizenship

Tang dynasty

Place of birth

Xinzheng

Place of death

Luoyang

Occupation

politician

Languages spoken

Chinese

Notable work

Song of Everlasting Regret

Academic degree

jinshi

Image

唐名臣像-21-白樂天.jpg

via Wikidata · CC0