双语诗歌翻译|醒世要言-《祖宗》

醒世要言----《祖宗》

树有千枝万叶，都从根上生来。
祖祠祖墓好徘徊，想想根基何在？
不是根基深厚，如今哪有良材？
岁时祭扫有余哀，世代栽培勿坏。

Ancestors

Hundreds of branches and more leaves a tree may have,
All of which are from the roots without exceptions.
You oft pace up and down near your ancestral hall and graves,
Thinking and contemplating where your life's source is.
If you hadn't got a deep source and firm foundation,
How could you now become one of able persons?
Each year timely offering sacrifice and sweeping graves
Must be done sadly through ages to keep well your source.