Lovers of flowering plants and shrubs we have had by scores, but Tao Yuan-ming alone devoted himself to the chrysanthemum.
水陆草木之花，可爱者甚蕃。晋陶渊明独爱菊；
Since the opening days of the Tang dynasty, it has been fashionable to admire the peony;
自李唐来，世人盛爱牡丹；
but my favourite is the water-lily. How stainless it rises from its slimy bed! How modestly it reposes on the clear pool – an emblem of purity and truth! Symmetrically perfect, its subtle perfume is wafted far and wide, while there it rests in spotless state, something to be regarded reverently from a distance, and not be profaned by familiar approach.
予独爱莲之出淤泥而不染，濯清涟而不妖，中通外直，不蔓不枝，香远益清，亭亭静植，可远观而不可亵玩焉。
In my opinion, the chrysanthemum is the flower of retirement and culture;
予谓菊，花之隐逸者也；
the peony, the flower of rank and wealth;
牡丹，花之富贵者也；
the water-lily, the Lady Virtue sans pareille.
莲，花之君子者也。
Alas; few have loved the chrysanthemum since Tao Yüan-ming;
噫！菊之爱，陶后鲜有闻；
and none now love the water-lily like myself;
莲之爱，同予者何人？
whereas the peony is a general favourite with all mankind.
牡丹之爱，宜乎众矣。
水陆草木之花，可爱者甚蕃。晋陶渊明独爱菊；
Since the opening days of the Tang dynasty, it has been fashionable to admire the peony;
自李唐来，世人盛爱牡丹；
but my favourite is the water-lily. How stainless it rises from its slimy bed! How modestly it reposes on the clear pool – an emblem of purity and truth! Symmetrically perfect, its subtle perfume is wafted far and wide, while there it rests in spotless state, something to be regarded reverently from a distance, and not be profaned by familiar approach.
予独爱莲之出淤泥而不染，濯清涟而不妖，中通外直，不蔓不枝，香远益清，亭亭静植，可远观而不可亵玩焉。
In my opinion, the chrysanthemum is the flower of retirement and culture;
予谓菊，花之隐逸者也；
the peony, the flower of rank and wealth;
牡丹，花之富贵者也；
the water-lily, the Lady Virtue sans pareille.
莲，花之君子者也。
Alas; few have loved the chrysanthemum since Tao Yüan-ming;
噫！菊之爱，陶后鲜有闻；
and none now love the water-lily like myself;
莲之爱，同予者何人？
whereas the peony is a general favourite with all mankind.
牡丹之爱，宜乎众矣。
