Top 10 Best Poems by Poet Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm

The third poem discusses wealth and prosperity.
Everyone desires wealth and luxury,
But wealth without righteousness
Is unethical and cannot last.

Living in poverty is unappealing,
But dishonesty is far worse.
A simple life with rice and salted fish,
Brings joy, forgetting the pursuit of wealth.

The rich and powerful, surrounded by gold,
Should reflect on their actions with family.
Live virtuously, and many will offer help,
Live unethically, and you'll find few allies.

Better to be poor and keep your reputation clean,
Than to be rich and mocked for your actions.
The mantis lies in wait for the cicada,
While the sparrow watches the mantis from behind...

Fame brings jealousy and resentment,
For talent often leads to hardship.
Hard work may bring suffering,
And too much achievement breeds competition.

Remember not to boast or show off,
Always be cautious and humble.
Speak the truth with sincerity,
But those who are greedy will not listen.

When speaking to a ruler, discuss virtue,
But beware of a corrupt leader, as they may retaliate.

With a hoe and a fishing rod in hand,
Wandering aimlessly, finding joy in simple pleasures.

I, the fool, seek quiet and solitude,
While the wise flock to bustling places.

In autumn, I feast on bamboo shoots, in winter, I savor bean sprouts,
In spring, I bathe in the lotus pond, and in summer, I swim in the quiet pond.

When the wine arrives, I drink under the shade of trees,
Watching wealth and fame pass by like fleeting dreams.

Source: From the poetry collection of Trình Quốc Công Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm (AB.635), Bạch Vân Am’s poetry collection (AB.157), Trình Quốc Công Bạch Vân Am's poetry collection (AB.309).

References:

1. Bùi Văn Nguyên, Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm’s Poetry (Vol. 1), Educational Publishing House, 1989.

2. Nguyễn Văn Ngọc, Southern Poetry Anthology, Four Directions Publishing House, Hanoi, 1951.

To be human, one must sometimes act foolishly to later gain wisdom,
But do not be overly foolish, nor excessively wise.
Wisdom benefits oneself, but do not let foolishness prevail,
Foolishness keeps one in their place, so do not compete for wisdom.

Wisdom that is malicious is no wisdom at all,
While true foolishness is rooted in innocence.

Do not look down upon the foolish,
For in due time, foolishness may turn into wisdom.

Whether clumsy or skilled, everyone has their trade,
In times of hardship, one must rely on their family.

When fortune smiles, relatives come to your aid,
But in adversity, even neighbors turn away.

When a butcher’s table reeks, flies gather,
And the jar, void of honey, attracts ants!

In this world, those with wealth are highly regarded,
But when you are penniless, who will recognize you?

References:
1. Bùi Văn Nguyên, Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm’s Poetry (Vol. 1), Educational Publishing House, 1989.
2. Trần Trung Viên, The Literary Anthology, Literary Publishing House, 2004.

The fourth poem speaks of Great Morality,
Teaching others how to offer guidance and advice.

Loyalty to the nation comes first,
Filial duty and family ethics follow.

A wise and compassionate man cares for the people,
A virtuous woman must uphold her chastity.

A talented man earns a great reputation,
A capable wife is a precious gift from heaven.

A woman of loose morals should not be taken as a wife,
A man with talent but who falls into traps is a fool.

Disloyalty makes one vulnerable to betrayal,
A wise ruler, if blind, will appoint the wrong officials.

Hardworking commoners may rise to greatness,
While children of officials who neglect their studies will remain ordinary.

Serving as an official, one should remember the system's favor,
Raising children is how one recalls the sacrifices of parents.

To remain upright and sincere,
One must first cultivate integrity and determination.

The fifth poem speaks of Noble Intent,
Hoping for the best in both public and private matters.
Reading poetry brings great joy,
But the most tiring task is raising children.
A father must be strict while teaching filial piety,
A mother must be gentle while guiding her daughter.
A virtuous household will spread the fragrance of virtue,
But one cannot smell it if they remain too long and stagnant.

Being close to evil is like entering a fish market,
One soon becomes accustomed to the foul odor.

Good character does not equate to arrogance,
Virtue grows stronger the more it is practiced.
Wealth should not breed pride or selfishness,
Nor should affluence lead to wastefulness or vanity.

Before taking action, one should carefully consider three times:
Understanding both the communal and individual implications is crucial.

From ancient times, people have feared the malicious hearts of others,
For the wicked are often crafty, planning the downfall of the good.
Even if the schemes are cruel and twisted,
They will never succeed against what is right, nor defy the laws of nature.

The immoral may briefly gain fame,
But in the end, heaven will punish them.
Fortune that comes easily may bring disaster,
And a rise from poverty to wealth may be fleeting.

The world is full of praise and criticism,
Many rejoice, yet many also lament.
Great joy is often followed by great sorrow,
And success can bring as much shame as it does pride.

Do not rely on status to foster arrogance,
Do not exploit power for selfish gain.
Even a single virtuous act is worthwhile,
And avoiding one wrong act is of great importance.

Seeking conflict brings unnecessary stress,
It is better to be humble and cultivate virtue.
Preparation is key before undertaking any task,
Without preparation, avoid reckless action.

Countless lessons from the past teach us that even the smallest mistake can lead to great consequences.
Decisions should be made with certainty, not indecision,
For hesitation often leads to failure.

Appearance may not deceive the wise,
It is the person’s character that truly matters.
Drinking may not be the cause of drunkenness,
It is the individual who succumbs to it.

One should not boast when overly happy,
Nor act recklessly out of excessive joy.
Respect the phoenix for its feathers,
Honor the wise for their words.

When facing hardship or trouble,
Act with grace and choose your words carefully.

There are ten dragon eyes and ten pointing hands,
True fairness shines deep and clear.
If you are given a rare fruit,
Do not offer a common one in return.

Do not touch unfamiliar tools,
Nor ride an unfamiliar horse that may cause you to fall.
Do not fix your shoes in the melon field,
And avoid adjusting your hair under the plum tree.

Be cautious of the high and wide doors,
Do not think that because your family is important,
It gives you the right to act arrogantly.

Honest people speak truthfully,
While the wicked speak like poison to a fly.
Good people remain steadfast in their values,
Even in difficulty, they hold firm to their principles.

The wicked, however, beg when in trouble,
And forget their promises once their needs are met.

In the end, joy and sorrow are part of life,
But those with noble intent always remember to act with a pure heart.

The sixth poem speaks of the contrast between Good and Evil,
Two forces that are truly worlds apart.
Throughout life, one faces the consequences of their actions,
Whether for good or ill, justice always prevails.
Sometimes, retribution comes quickly, other times slowly,
But no one should look down on those who are poor and in need.
Doing good by accident is still praiseworthy,
While those who deceive and plan evil cannot escape the truth.
The sun rises and sets, as the moon waxes and wanes,
Human emotions ebb and flow, from joy to sorrow, and back again.
Like flowers that bloom in the morning and fade by evening,
But the pine and cypress stand firm through the changing seasons.

Each day, reflect on your own actions,
For in time, others will come to know who you are.
Destiny has its own plans,
Wealth and honor come at their appointed time.
Flowers may bloom late on poor soil,
But through suffering, one’s spirit may grow stronger.
In prosperity, many will come to visit,
But in poverty, even family may distance themselves.

When prosperous, be mindful of future hardships,
And when in joy, prepare for sorrow.
A good family is based on respect and love,
A father who is kind, a son who is filial, a wife who is virtuous.
Siblings should live in harmony with love and understanding,
And friends should support each other in times of need.
In times of illness, be prepared to help,
Store food to prevent hunger in times of scarcity.

Always assist others in times of trouble,
Or rescue them when they are in danger.
Do not neglect the old while caring for the new,
And never say one thing while thinking another.
Don’t make minor issues seem larger than they are,
For deception and lies will eventually be revealed.
Words spoken without thought fly quickly,
And once said, they cannot be taken back.
To belittle others is to display arrogance,
And others will treat you with the same disdain.
Those who praise themselves while criticizing others,
Will never gain respect in return.

Reflect on the balance of Good and Evil,
And on the difference between Shame and Glory.
In life, act with virtue and kindness,
And always honor your family and your role.

Never engage in dishonest dealings,
Nor be jealous of those more fortunate.
Do not mock or disrupt other people’s marriages,
For the bond of family and love is sacred.

Helping neighbors when their house is on fire,
Or supporting each other in times of need,
Shows the true spirit of humanity.
But the loss of mutual trust among siblings brings great sorrow.
As the old saying goes, habits are hard to change,
Especially for those who are hard to teach.

Do not covet someone else’s treasures,
Nor push others to take on tasks that are too difficult.
When you want to blame others, first look at yourself,
For if you can forgive your own faults, you can forgive others.

Dishonest people bring ruin to themselves,
For they only care about their own gain.
Hard work in youth leads to a comfortable old age,
But a life of idleness brings hardship in later years.

True wealth does not lie in gold and jewels,
But in the ability to educate and nurture your children.
Better than owning fertile fields is giving your children valuable skills.
Dreams of wealth often lead to misdeeds,
But doing what is right brings true prosperity.

Unjust riches will fade away like clouds,
While purity of heart and patience bring lasting joy.
Greed invites disaster,
And the wicked will face the consequences of their actions.
Small-minded people do not help others,
For their hearts are as narrow as a needle’s eye.
Only in seeking to harm others do they find satisfaction,
Hoping to profit from the misfortune of others.

The virtuous person distances themselves from the wicked,
To avoid creating lasting enmity.
Human relationships are like a blank sheet of paper,
And life is like a chess game, unpredictable.
Handle others with care,
For unkind words can cause deep harm.
Don’t belittle or mock others,
For this will only lead to anger and regret.

When wealth is abundant, many will surround you,
But in times of trouble, you may find yourself alone.
Heaven’s laws of retribution are never wrong,
Though their timing may be slow, their justice is sure.

The duty of a child is to respect their parents,
And to honor their duties as citizens.
When the authorities give orders, one must obey,
When the father does good, the son follows his example.

Wealth may run out over time,
But the virtues of filial piety and loyalty endure forever.
Do not plot selfish gain,
But work together for righteous causes.

Do not boast of your good deeds,
For the brightest flowers fade the quickest.
Carefulness is priceless,
Always think before acting to avoid regret.

Those who do good should not seek to exploit others,
Help others without expecting anything in return.
If someone acknowledges their wrongs and seeks to change,
Do not punish them harshly, but show forgiveness.

Teach goodness, but do not push too hard,
So that others can learn and follow.
Be patient and you will earn trust and love,
Hard work leads to success.

Speak carefully and avoid mistakes,
And act with caution to avoid regrets later.
No matter how powerful you are,
Using all your strength will eventually lead to harm.

Do not rely on your power to gain wealth,
For such actions will not bring lasting prosperity.
Follow the righteous path,
And do good with your heart, not for personal gain.

Days pass by, months slip away,
One spring arrives, then old age comes on its heels.

Sorrow shines like the moon's reflection on the water,
While fame and wealth flutter in the breeze like petals of a flower.

The books of the past remain unchanged,
As rivers and mountains continue to remind us of home.

From the collected works of Trình Quốc Công Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm (AB.635), with variations found in the Bạch Vân Am poetry collection (AB.157) and Trình Quốc Công Bạch Vân Am thi tập (AB.309).

All versions in Nôm contain only six lines. Recently, some versions have added two more lines, although their origin is uncertain:

The race of life, no matter its highs or lows,
My heart desires only the joy of simple leisure.

Source: Bùi Văn Nguyên, Thơ văn Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm (Volume 1), NXB Giáo dục, 1989.

The world is in constant flux, rising and falling like a heap of soil,
Sweet and sour, bitter and sweet, all mixed together.

Silver and gold may remain, followers may come and go,
But when the food and wine run out, so too will those who once were near.

Throughout time, people have valued sincerity,
Everyone despises those who flatter for personal gain.

In a world like this, we see the treacherous face of humanity,
The wealthy seek you out, but when times are hard, they disappear.

Source: Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm’s poetry collection, based on Nôm manuscripts from Trình Quốc Công Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm thi tập (AB.635), Bạch Vân Am thi tập (AB.157), and Trình Quốc Công Bạch Vân Am thi tập (AB.309).

References:

1. Bùi Văn Nguyên, Thơ văn Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm (Volume 1), NXB Giáo dục, 1989

2. Nguyễn Quân, Bạch Vân quốc ngữ thi tập, NXB Sống Mới 1974

3. Nguyễn Văn Ngọc, Nam thi hợp tuyển, NXB Bốn Phương, Hà Nội, 1951