刘义庆·《世说新语·孔融少年机智》英译

孔文举年十岁，随父到洛。时李元礼有盛名，为司隶校尉。诣门者皆俊才清称及中表亲戚，乃通。文举至门，谓吏曰：“我是李府君亲。”既通，前坐。元礼问曰：“君与仆有何亲？”对曰：“昔先君仲尼与君先人伯阳，有师资之尊，是仆与君奕世为通好也。”元礼及宾客莫不奇之。太中大夫陈韪后至，人以其语语之，韪曰：“小时了了，大未必佳。”文举曰：“想君小时，必当了了。” 韪大踧踖。

Kong Rong’s Quick Wits in Childhood

When Kong Rong (styled Wenju) went to Luoyang, the then capital, with his father, he was only ten years old. At that time, Li Ying (styled Yuanli), the supreme official inspector, was a man of great reputation in the country. Nobody except his relatives and those who possessed distinct attainments and high commendation would be admitted to his presence.

“I’m a relative of your master,” said the boy to the gate officer, who at once led him in. Sitting before the host, Kong Rong was questioned by Li Ying:

“What relationship is there between you and me?”

“In old times, my forefather Confucius had a teacher-pupil relationship with your ancestor Lao Zi (styled Boyang),” replied the boy guest, “and therefore our two families have been closely related for many generations.” Li Ying and all his other guests present were greatly surprised at the answer.

Chen Wei, the counselor, came later and was told what Kong Rong had said. ”Being bright in early childhood does not necessarily mean that he will be clever when grown up,” he observed. In response to this, Kong Rong said,” I guess you must have been very bright in your childhood,” which made Chen Wei feel very embarrassed.