The 24 Filial Exemplars (24)

Huáng Tíngjiān 黄庭坚

24. HE WASHED HIS MOTHER'S BEDPAN

Huáng Tíngjiān of the Sòng dynasty was also called Shāngǔ. During the Yuányòu reign period [1086-1093] he was a government compiler. His nature was filial, and although he was very prominent, he served his mother with deep sincerity. Every evening he himself washed out his mother's bedpan. A moment did not pass in which he did not display the responsibility of a son. A verse praises him saying:

He is prominent enough to be known throughout the world, but

All his life he is filial toward his mother;

He does not decline to wash out her urine;

How could he use maids and let himself be spoilt [by prominence]?

二十四、涤亲溺器
宋。黄庭坚。号山谷。元祐中为太史。性至孝。身体贵显。奉母尽诚。每夕亲自为洗涤溺器。未曾有一刻不供人子之职。有诗为颂。诗曰：
贵显闻天下。平生孝事亲。不辞长涤溺。焉用婢生嗔。

24. Dí Qīn Niào Qì
Sòng. Huáng Tíngjiān. Hào Shāngǔ. Yuányòu zhōng wéi tàishǐ. Xìng zhì xiào. Shēntǐ guìxiǎn. Fèng mǔ jìn chéng. Měi xì qīn zì wèi mǔ dí niàoqì. Wèi céng yǒu yí kè bú gòng rén zǐ zhi zhí.Yǒu shī wéi sòng.
Shī yuē:
Guìxiǎn wén tiānxìa. Píng shēng xiào shì qīn. Bù cí cháng dí niào. Yān yòng bì shēng shèn.

二十四、滌親溺器
宋。黃庭堅。號山谷。元祐中為太史。性至孝。身體貴顯。奉母盡誠。每夕親自為洗滌溺器。未曾有一刻不供人子之職。有詩為頌。詩曰：
貴顯聞天下。平生孝事親。不辭长滌溺。焉用婢生嗔。

Go to Previous Tale, Introduction, First Tale

Return to top.