People urge you to join the court as minister;
I urge you to return home early instead.
Now you enter as Deputy Privy Councilor;
It's best to return as Chief Privy Councilor.
The Changes is the source of the Six Classics;
To study it, one must value knowing the times.
To stop when it's time, to act when it's time—
How profound is the meaning of timeliness!
Thus I have often discussed the present day,
Two remarks are seen as remarkable.
But for now, serve as a high administrator;
The role of Prime Minister is not yet to be.
If you become a mere figurehead minister,
How would that compare to a cup of wine?
I once spoke these words to Old Man Yu,
Old Man Yu gave a chuckle in reply.
Heroes see things roughly the same;
Wise sir, please consider this carefully.
Wenzheng and Qingxian, as ministers true,
Did they ever admire the tripod's plum?
The annals of history hold their fragrance for ages;
Their names, like sun and moon, forever shine.
Stop when it's time, act when it's time;
A Prime Minister must await the proper hour.
When the time comes, then take the post,
And pass on the robe of Loyalty and Steadfastness.
Official rank is hard to match one's moral integrity;
I hope you, sir, remain flawless as jade.
A strong will is inscribed at the start;
I hope you, sir, remain untainted as jade.
Enduring, aged pillar and cornerstone,
You bear the nation's safety on your person.
Of the Five Blessings, the first is longevity;
Longevity for the state is the pivot of one's self.
I ask you to look at Laozi, the ancient sage,
Few desires, long eyebrows—a sign of long life.
A clear heart makes ten thousand miles bright;
It can block the peeking of opportunistic times.
Few desires are good for nurturing the heart;
The mirror of Xuanyuan reflects ghosts and goblins.
In our later years, we become two old men,
Like Zhong and Li, with xun and chi in harmony.
Sitting to ensure peace in all four directions,
Let Taizong's radiance be born anew.