“寻寻觅觅，冷冷清清，凄凄惨惨戚戚。”
Pinyin: Xún xún mì mì, lěng lěng qīng qīng, qī qī cǎn cǎn qī qī.
Translation: “Seeking, seeking, searching, searching; cold, cold, desolate, desolate; sorrowful, sorrowful, mournful, mournful.”
Source: Slow, Slow Tune · Seeking, Seeking (《声声慢·寻寻觅觅》, Shēng Shēng Màn · Xún Xún Mì Mì)
Explanation: Uses repetitive phrasing to intensify a mood of solitude; a hallmark of classical Chinese literary style.
Coolness seeps through the mat, tears stain—rising to undress, I ask how late the night is.（凉生枕簟泪痕滋，起解罗衣聊问夜何其。）——Li Qingzhao (1084 – 1155)
Jade adorns tiny lotus pods; gold fades on sparse leaves.（翠贴莲蓬小，金销藕叶稀。）——Li Qingzhao (1084 – 1155)
Gulls on sand sleep, heads unturned—as if they resent our early return.（眠沙鸥鹭不回头，似也恨、人归早。）——Li Qingzhao (1084 – 1155)
Lotus seeds ripe, leaves aged—dew cleanses duckweed and marsh grass.（莲子已成荷叶老，清露洗、蘋花汀草。）——Li Qingzhao (1084 – 1155)
Observe the evening wind’s force—plum blooms will surely suffer.（看取晚来风势，故应难看梅花。）——Li Qingzhao (1084 – 1155)
This year, at world’s end—frost streaks my temples.（今年海角天涯，萧萧两鬓生华。）——Li Qingzhao (1084 – 1155)
Yearly in snow, drunk with plum blossoms in my hair.（年年雪里，常插梅花醉。）——Li Qingzhao (1084 – 1155)
Agarwood burned as I slept—its scent fades, but the wine remains.（沉水卧时烧，香消酒未消。）——Li Qingzhao (1084 – 1155)
Prepare boats in droughts, carts in rains—anticipate scarcity.（早则备舟，雨则备车，以待乏也。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers2025-03-15
Wealth thrives when producers are many, consumers few.（生财有大道，生之者众，食之者寡。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers2025-03-15
Avoid hoarding currency; never cling to inflated prices.（无息币，无敢居贵。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers2025-03-15
Observe celestial cycles, measure earthly benefits—wealth follows.（察天时，量地利，则财用足。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers2025-03-15
Pursue profit where it flows; adapt to shifting trends.（逐利而居，因势而变。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers2025-03-15
Acquire what others discard; supply what others seek.（人弃我取，人取我与。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers2025-03-15