《人间词话》英译（五）

自然中之物，互相关系，互相限制。然其写之于文学及美术中也，必遗其关系、限制之处。故虽写实家，亦理想家也。又虽如何虚构之境，其材料必求之于自然，而其构造，亦必从自然之法则。故理想家，亦写实家也。

Objects in nature are mutually related and at the time mutually restrictive. But in describing them in literature and art one must disregard those points of relationship and restriction. Thus, even though one may be a realist, one is also an idealist. And again, no matter how imaginary the state (hsu-kou chih ching) one may construct, the materials must be sought in nature, and the construction must follow the laws of nature (tzu-jan chih fa-lu). Thus, even though one may be an idealist, one must also be a realist.