出师表 Memorial on Sending Out the Troops
先帝创业未半而中道崩殂，今天下三分，益州疲弊，此诚危急存亡之秋也。The founder emperor's work was barely half done when he passed away midway. Today, the realm is divided into three, and Yizhou is worn out and weak. This is indeed a perilous hour that decides our survival or destruction.
然侍卫之臣不懈于内，忠志之士忘身于外者，盖追先帝之殊遇，欲报之于陛下也。Yet, the ministers guarding the court remain diligent within, and the loyal officials risk their lives outside, all because they cherish the special favors of the founder emperor and wish to repay them to your majesty.
诚宜开张圣听，以光先帝遗德，恢弘志士之气，不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失义，以塞忠谏之路也。It is indeed fitting to open your sacred ears to enhance the virtues left by the founder emperor and to revive the spirits of the loyalists. You should not underestimate yourself or use inappropriate metaphors to block the path of loyal advice.
宫中府中，俱为一体；陟罚臧否，不宜异同。Both the palace and the government are one entity; promotions and punishments should not differ.
若有作奸犯科及为忠善者，宜付有司论其刑赏，以昭陛下平明之理，不宜偏私，使内外异法也。If there are those who commit crimes or do good deeds, they should be handed over to the relevant authorities for punishment or rewards, to demonstrate your majesty's fairness and clarity. Partiality should be avoided, so that the laws are the same both inside and outside the court.
侍中、侍郎郭攸之、费祎、董允等，此皆良实，志虑忠纯，是以先帝简拔以遗陛下。Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, Dong Yun, and others, who are ministers and assistants, are all honest and loyal. That is why the founder emperor chose them to serve your majesty.
愚以为宫中之事，事无大小，悉以咨之，然后施行，必能裨补阙漏，有所广益。In my humble opinion, for matters in the palace, no matter how big or small, they should all be consulted with these individuals before implementation. This will surely fill the gaps and bring great benefits.
将军向宠，性行淑均，晓畅军事，试用于昔日，先帝称之曰能，是以众议举宠为督。General Xiang Chong is gentle and fair in character, proficient in military affairs, and has been proven capable in the past. The founder emperor praised him as capable, and so he was unanimously recommended as a supervisor.
愚以为营中之事，悉以咨之，必能使行阵和睦，优劣得所。In my humble opinion, for matters in the camp, they should all be consulted with him. This will surely ensure harmony among the troops and that everyone is placed in the right position.
亲贤臣，远小人，此先汉所以兴隆也；亲小人，远贤臣，此后汉所以倾颓也。To associate with virtuous officials and distance oneself from vile ones is how the early Han dynasty flourished; to associate with vile ones and distance oneself from virtuous officials is how the later Han dynasty declined.
先帝在时，每与臣论此事，未尝不叹息痛恨于桓、灵也。During the founder emperor's time, whenever he discussed this with me, he always lamented and hated Huan and Ling emperors.
侍中、尚书、长史、参军，此悉贞良死节之臣，愿陛下亲之信之，则汉室之隆，可计日而待也。Ministers such as the attendants, the ministers of state, the chief secretaries, and the military advisors are all loyal and steadfast officials. I hope your majesty will associate with and trust them, then the prosperity of the Han dynasty can be expected soon.
臣本布衣，躬耕于南阳，苟全性命于乱世，不求闻达于诸侯。I was originally a commoner, farming in Nanyang, merely seeking to preserve my life in chaos and not seeking fame or status among the nobles.
先帝不以臣卑鄙，猥自枉屈，三顾臣于草庐之中，咨臣以当世之事，由是感激，遂许先帝以驱驰。The founder emperor did not consider me lowly or ignoble; instead, he humbled himself and visited me three times in my cottage, consulting me on contemporary affairs. Because of this, I was deeply grateful and agreed to serve him.
后值倾覆，受任于败军之际，奉命于危难之间，尔来二十有一年矣。Later, in times of great distress, I was entrusted with important duties at the moment of defeat and in times of crisis. It has been twenty-one years since then.
先帝知臣谨慎，故临崩寄臣以大事也。Knowing my prudence, the founder emperor entrusted me with great responsibilities before his death.
受命以来，夙夜忧叹，恐托付不效，以伤先帝之明；故五月渡泸，深入不毛。Since accepting the commission, I have worried and sighed day and night, fearing that I may not fulfill my duties and tarnish the founder emperor's wisdom. Therefore, I crossed the Lu River in May and ventured into barren lands.
今南方已定，兵甲已足，当奖率三军，北定中原，庶竭驽钝，攘除奸凶，兴复汉室，还于旧都。Now the south is stable, and our troops are well-equipped. It is time to reward and lead the army, conquer the Central Plains, do my utmost, eliminate evil, revive the Han dynasty, and return to the old capital.
此臣所以报先帝而忠陛下之职分也。至于斟酌损益，进尽忠言，则攸之、祎、允之任也。This is how I repay the founder emperor and fulfill my duties to your majesty. As for adjusting policies according to circumstances and offering loyal advice, that is the responsibility of Youzhi, Yi, and Yun.
愿陛下托臣以讨贼兴复之效，不效，则治臣之罪，以告先帝之灵。I hope your majesty will entrust me with the task of eliminating the enemy and reviving the dynasty. If I fail, punish me accordingly and inform the spirit of the founder emperor.
若无兴德之言，则责攸之、祎、允等之慢，以彰其咎；If there are no words promoting virtue, then blame Youzhi, Yi, Yun, and others for their negligence to expose their faults.
陛下亦宜自谋，以咨诹善道，察纳雅言，深追先帝遗诏。臣不胜受恩感激。Your majesty should also deliberate and seek good advice, accept refined opinions, and deeply recall the founder emperor's last will. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for your kindness.
今当远离，临表涕零，不知所言。As I am about to depart, I shed tears while writing this memorial and do not know what else to say.
