1. Rather stick to moral integrity than be attached to the powerful and influential.
栖守道德者，寂寞一时；依阿①权势者，凄凉万古。达人观物外之物②，思身后之身③；宁受一时之寂寞，毋取万古之凄凉。
注 释
① 依阿：依附讨好。
② 物外之物：物质之外的东西。此处指精神财富或精神价值。
③ 身后之身：人死后留在世上的名声。
今文解译
谨守道德的人，也许会寂寞一时；而依附权贵的人，则必然会凄凉一辈子。豁达的人看重的是精神层面的东西以及自己身后的名声。所以，他们宁肯忍受寂寞于一时，也不愿意凄凉孤寂一辈子。
English Translation
Those who stick to their moral integrity might be lonesome for a time. Whereas, those who cling to the powerful and influential will surely become desolate for good and all. To a well-cultivated person, the worthiest are the gains beyond material and the name after him. It is because of this that he had rather endure momentary loneliness than receive endless desolation.
继续阅读请关注公众号《半字书香》回复书号【58417】