《菜根谭》英译（偏激之人、难建功业）

躁性者火炽，遇物则焚，寡恩者冰清，逢物必杀。凝滞固执者，如死水腐木，生机已绝，俱难建功业而延福祉。<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

An irascible person is like a raging fire; whatever he encounters he wants to burn it up. A mean person is as cold as ice; whatever he meets he wants to harm. A still and stubborn person is like stagnant water or rotten wood; he has lost all vitality. No matter what they do, such people find success and happiness elusive.

（保罗·怀特 译）

Those who have irascible temperament are as fierce as raging flames; whatever they come across they burn it up. Those who grudge their bestowing favors on others are as cold as ice; whatever they run into dead water or rotten wood, without any vitality. Such people mentioned above can hardly make contributions to the society and carry forward good fortune.

（周文标 译）