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Yi Hwang


 

Yi Hwang(李滉 1501-1570) was one of the two most prominent Korean Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty, the other being his younger contemporary Yi I (Yulgok). Yi Hwang is often referred to by his pen name Toegye (퇴계; 退溪 "Retreating Creek"). His courtesy name was Gyeongho (경호; 景浩).

Short poem

Here is a short peom by him.

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;Accidie

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Though thunder splits the mountains,

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Deaf men will not hear

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And though in the noonday heavens

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The sun burns white and clear,

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Blind men will not see it.

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But we, thus eared and eyed

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Lack even the lame excuses

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Infirmities provide.

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(Translated by Graeme Wilson)

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