诔碑 Eulogy stele
周世盛德，有铭诔之文。In the Zhou Dynasty, there was a profound sense of virtue, which led to the emergence of literary forms such as inscriptions and eulogies.
大夫之材，临丧能诔。Talented individuals, such as ministers, were capable of composing eulogies in times of mourning.
诔者，累也，累其德行，旌之不朽也。The term "eulogy" means to compile or accumulate, referring to the compilation of the deceased's virtues to commemorate their immortality.
夏商以前，其词靡闻。周虽有诔，未被于士。Prior to the Xia and Shang dynasties, there were scarcely any records of eulogies. Although eulogies existed in the Zhou Dynasty, they were not widely used among scholars.
又贱不诔贵，幼不诔长，其在万乘，则称天以诔之。Moreover, it was customary that individuals of lower status did not compose eulogies for those of higher status, and the young did not compose eulogies for the elderly. If the Son of Heaven passes away, eulogies are composed in the name of Heaven.
读诔定谥，其节文大矣。The reading of eulogies to determine posthumous titles was a ceremony steeped in significant etiquette and norms.
自鲁庄战乘丘，始及于士；Only after Duke Zhuang of Lu fought at Chengqiu did eulogies begin to be used for scholars.
逮尼父之卒，哀公作诔，观其慭遗之辞，呜呼之叹，虽非睿作，古式存焉。When Confucius passed away, Duke Ai of Lu composed a eulogy. Looking at the remaining words and the sigh of "Alas", although it is not a sagely work, the ancient form has been preserved.
至柳妻之诔惠子，则辞哀而韵长矣。Upon Liu Xiahui's wife composing a eulogy for Huizi, the words were filled with sorrow and the rhyme was elongated and poignant.
暨乎汉世，承流而作。In the Han Dynasty, people followed the tradition of composing eulogies.
扬雄之诔元后，文实烦秽，沙麓撮其要，而挚疑成篇。Yang Xiong's eulogy for Empress Yuan, however, was overly verbose and somewhat vulgar. The passage about "Shao Lu" captured the essence of the eulogy, but it was completed only due to Zhi Yu's suspicion.
安有累德述尊，而阔略四句乎！How could one omit four sentences so carelessly while eulogizing virtues and describing dignity?
杜笃之诔，有誉前代；吴诔虽工，而他篇颇疏。The elegy composed by Du Du praised the previous generations, and while the Wu elegy is indeed well-crafted, other works by the same author are rather sparse.
岂以见称光武，而改盼千金哉！Could it be that the value of the Wu elegy has suddenly increased a thousandfold due to Emperor Guangwu's praise?
傅毅所制，文体伦序；孝山、崔瑗，辨絜相参。The works composed by Fu Yi possessed proper literary style and order. Xiao Shan and Cui Yuan's works were compared for their clarity and precision.
观其序事如传，辞靡律调，固诔之才也。Their narrations, akin to biographies, and elegant language with rhythm and melody truly showcased their talent in eulogy writing.
潘岳构意，专师孝山，巧于序悲，易入新切。Pan Yue's conception specifically modeled after Xiao Shan's style. He was adept at narrating sadness and easily created new and poignant expressions.
所以隔代相望，能徽厥声者也。As a result, despite being from different generations, he was highly esteemed and his reputation resounded.
至如崔骃诔赵，刘陶诔黄，并得宪章，工在简要。As for Cui Yin's eulogy for Zhao and Liu Tao's eulogy for Huang, both adhered to the traditional model and excelled in being concise.
陈思叨名，而体实繁缓。Cao Zhi, though famous, produced works that were verbose and sluggish.
文皇诔末，百言自陈，其乖甚矣！At the end of his eulogy for Emperor Wen, he included a hundred words about himself, which was extremely inappropriate.
若夫殷臣咏汤，追褒玄鸟之祚；周史歌文，上阐后稷之烈；Ministers of the Yin Dynasty extolled King Tang's fortune, while Zhou historians praised King Wen and Hou Ji's achievements.
诔述祖宗，盖诗人之则也。Eulogizing ancestors is a poet's norm.
至于序述哀情，则触类而长。To narrate sadness, poets touch on similar themes.
傅毅之诔北海，云“白日幽光，淫雨杳冥”。Fu Yi's eulogy for the Prince of Beihai, "Dim white sun, persistent gloom|."
始序致感，遂为后式，影而效者，弥取于工矣。Set a precedent for expressing emotions. Followers became increasingly skilled in their eulogies.
详夫诔之为制，盖选言录行，传体而颂文，荣始而哀终。As for the system of eulogy, it is generally to select words to record deeds, following the style of biography but with the characteristics of panegyric, beginning with glory and ending with sorrow.
论其人也，暧乎若可觌，道其哀也，凄焉如可伤：此其旨也。When speaking of the person, it seems as if one can almost see him; when expressing the sorrow, it is so poignant as if it can cause pain. This is its purport.
碑者，埤也。上古帝王，纪号封禅，树石埤岳，故曰碑也。A stele is something that augments. In ancient times, emperors and kings recorded their reign titles and held the ceremony of sacrificing on Mount Tai and setting up stones to augment the mountains. Hence it is called a stele.
周穆纪迹于弇山之石，亦古碑之意也。King Mu of Zhou recorded his deeds on the stones of Mount Yan, which also has the meaning of ancient steles.
又宗庙有碑，树之两楹，事止丽牲，未勒勋绩。Moreover, there are steles in ancestral temples, which are erected between the two pillars. Their function is only to tether sacrificial animals and they have not yet engraved meritorious deeds.
而庸器渐缺，故后代用碑，以石代金，同乎不朽，自庙徂坟，犹封墓也。As common utensils gradually became scarce, later generations used steles. Using stone instead of metal is the same as being immortal. From temples to graves, it is like sealing a tomb.
自后汉以来，碑碣云起。才锋所断，莫高蔡邕。Since the Later Han Dynasty, steles and tablets have risen in great numbers. In terms of talent and sharpness, none is higher than Cai Yong.
观杨赐之碑，骨鲠训典；陈郭二文，词无择言；周胡众碑，莫非精允。Looking at the stele of Yang Ci, it is as unyielding as the canonical teachings. The two essays of Chen and Guo have no inappropriate words. The numerous steles of Zhou and Hu are all extremely accurate.
其叙事也该而要，其缀采也雅而泽；In narrating events, it is comprehensive and essential. In adorning with words, it is elegant and lustrous.
清词转而不穷，巧义出而卓立；察其为才，自然至矣。Pure expressions turn continuously without end. Ingenious meanings emerge and stand out outstandingly. Observing his talent, it is naturally superb.
孔融所创，有摹伯喈；张陈两文，辨给足采，亦其亚也。What Kong Rong created imitates Cai Yong. The two essays of Zhang and Chen are eloquent and full of splendor, and they are also second only to him.
及孙绰为文，志在于碑；温王郗庾，辞多枝杂；《桓彝》一篇，最为辨裁矣。When Sun Chuo writes, his intention lies in steles. The writings of Wen, Wang, Xi, and Yu are full of redundant branches. The essay "Huan Yi" is the most discerning and selective.
夫属碑之体，资乎史才，其序则传，其文则铭。As for the style of stele writing, it depends on historical talent. Its preface is like biography, and its text is like inscription.
标序盛德，必见清风之华；昭纪鸿懿，必见峻伟之烈：此碑之制也。When highlighting noble virtues, one must show the brilliance of noble character. When commemorating great and beautiful deeds, one must show the grandeur and magnificence. This is the system of steles.
夫碑实铭器，铭实碑文，因器立名，事先于诔。In fact, a stele is an inscription vessel. An inscription is actually the text of a stele. Named according to the vessel, it precedes eulogy in matters.
是以勒石赞勋者，入铭之域；树碑述亡者，同诔之区焉。Therefore, those who engrave stones to praise merits belong to the realm of inscriptions. Those who erect steles to recount the dead are in the same category as eulogies.
