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H-ASIA April 26, 2007 Translation "ren bi ren, qi si ren" (response) ****************** From: nuovocp2@singnet.com.sg Hi, The former "ren bi ren, qi si ren" can be translated to the approximate meaning of "Compare yourself to another person, and you will frustrate yourself to death". The latter, "ren bi ren, huo bu cheng" is somewhat more hyperbolic than this and translates approximately to the sense of "Compare yourself to another, and you will not be able to live." Both sayings basically stress that it is essential to be content in one's own lot, and not to try matching yourself up to another, or you risk much frustration (or 'premature death' as the latter suggests hyperbolically). Kevin Zhang University of Calgary ****************************************************************** To post to H-ASIA simply send your message to: <H-ASIA@h-net.msu.edu> For holidays or short absences send post to: <listserv@h-net.msu.edu> with message: SET H-ASIA NOMAIL Upon return, send post with message SET H-ASIA MAIL H-ASIA WEB HOMEPAGE URL: http://h-net.msu.edu/~asia
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