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斯人独憔悴

斯人獨憔悴
sīréndúqiáocuì
phrase

Meanings

  1. 1 this one person alone grows haggard
  2. 2 (fig.) a talented / worthy person withering in neglect while others prosper
  3. 3 (lit.) this — person — alone — gaunt

Examples

众人飞黄腾达，唯他斯人独憔悴。
Zhòngrén fēihuáng téngdá, wéi tā sī rén dú qiáocuì.
All around him rose high — only he, 'this one, alone grew haggard.'
读到冠盖满京华，斯人独憔悴，让人落泪。
Dúdào guàngài mǎn jīnghuá, sī rén dú qiáocuì, ràng rén luò lèi.
Reading 'caps and carriages fill the capital — this one alone grows haggard' brings tears.

Tips

history
From 杜甫《梦李白·其二》 (Du Fu, Tang, 759 CE), one of two poems mourning Li Bai in exile at Yelang while Du Fu feared his friend dead: 冠盖满京华，斯人独憔悴。孰云网恢恢，将老身反累 (Caps and carriages fill the capital — this one alone grows haggard. Who says heaven's net is wide? — as he approaches old age, his body is only more ensnared). Du Fu's most personal and moving protest on Li Bai's behalf.
usage
斯 = classical demonstrative 'this' (not 'thus'). 憔悴 = haggard / emaciated / withered — physical and spiritual. Canonically paired with 冠盖满京华. A signature Du Fu expression of injustice for the exiled talent.

Stroke Order

斯 sī
人 rén
独 dú
憔 qiáo
悴 cuì