杨宪益

双语鲁迅《狂⼈⽇记》杨宪益、戴乃迭英译本

狂⼈⽇记

鲁迅

某君昆仲，今隐其名，皆余昔⽇在中学时良友；分隔多年，消息渐阙。⽇前偶闻其⼀⼤病；适归故乡，迂道往访，则仅

晤⼀⼈，⾔病者其弟也。劳君远道来视，然已早愈，赴某地候补⑵矣。因⼤笑，出⽰⽇记⼆册，谓可见当⽇病状，不妨

献诸旧友。持归阅⼀过，知所患盖“迫害狂”之类。语颇错杂⽆伦次，⼜多荒唐之⾔；亦不著⽉⽇，惟墨⾊字体不⼀，知

⾮⼀时所书。间亦有略具联络者，今撮录⼀篇，以供医家研究。记中语误，⼀字不易；惟⼈名虽皆村⼈，不为世间所

知，⽆关⼤体，然亦悉易去。⾄于书名，则本⼈愈后所题，不复改也。七年四⽉⼆⽇识。

⼀

今天晚上，很好的⽉光。

我不见他，已是三⼗多年；今天见了，精神分外爽快。才知道以前的三⼗多年，全是发昏；然⽽须⼗分⼩⼼。不然，那

赵家的狗，何以看我两眼呢？

我怕得有理。

⼆

今天全没⽉光，我知道不妙。早上⼩⼼出门，赵贵翁的眼⾊便怪：似乎怕我，似乎想害我。还有七⼋个⼈，交头接⽿的

议论我，张着嘴，对我笑了⼀笑；我便从头直冷到脚根，晓得他们布置，都已妥当了。

我可不怕，仍旧⾛我的路。前⾯⼀伙⼩孩⼦，也在那⾥议论我；眼⾊也同赵贵翁⼀样，脸⾊也铁青。我想我同⼩孩⼦有

什么仇，他也这样。忍不住⼤声说，“你告诉我！”他们可就跑了。

我想：我同赵贵翁有什么仇，同路上的⼈⼜有什么仇；只有廿年以前，把古久先⽣的陈年流⽔簿⼦⑶，踹了⼀脚，古久

先⽣很不⾼兴。赵贵翁虽然不认识他，⼀定也听到风声，代抱不平；约定路上的⼈，同我作冤对。但是⼩孩⼦呢？那时

候，他们还没有出世，何以今天也睁着怪眼睛，似乎怕我，似乎想害我。这真教我怕，教我纳罕⽽且伤⼼。

我明⽩了。这是他们娘⽼⼦教的！

三

晚上总是睡不着。凡事须得研究，才会明⽩。

他们——也有给知县打枷过的，也有给绅⼠掌过嘴的，也有衙役占了他妻⼦的，也有⽼⼦娘被债主逼死的；他们那时候

的脸⾊，全没有昨天这么怕，也没有这么凶。

最奇怪的是昨天街上的那个⼥⼈，打他⼉⼦，嘴⾥说道，“⽼⼦呀！我要咬你⼏⼝才出⽓！”他眼睛却看着我。我出了⼀

惊，遮掩不住；那青⾯獠⽛的⼀伙⼈，便都哄笑起来。陈⽼五赶上前，硬把我拖回家中了。

拖我回家，家⾥的⼈都装作不认识我；他们的脸⾊，也全同别⼈⼀样。进了书房，便反扣上门，宛然是关了⼀只鸡鸭。

这⼀件事，越教我猜不出底细。

前⼏天，狼⼦村的佃户来告荒，对我⼤哥说，他们村⾥的⼀个⼤恶⼈，给⼤家打死了；⼏个⼈便挖出他的⼼肝来，⽤油

煎炒了吃，可以壮壮胆⼦。我插了⼀句嘴，佃户和⼤哥便都看我⼏眼。今天才晓得他们的眼光，全同外⾯的那伙⼈⼀模

⼀样。

想起来，我从顶上直冷到脚跟。

他们会吃⼈，就未必不会吃我。

你看那⼥⼈“咬你⼏⼝”的话，和⼀伙青⾯獠⽛⼈的笑，和前天佃户的话，明明是暗号。我看出他话中全是毒，笑中全是

⼑。他们的⽛齿，全是⽩厉厉的排着，这就是吃⼈的家伙。

照我⾃⼰想，虽然不是恶⼈，⾃从踹了古家的簿⼦，可就难说了。他们似乎别有⼼思，我全猜不出。况且他们⼀翻脸，

便说⼈是恶⼈。我还记得⼤哥教我做论，⽆论怎样好⼈，翻他⼏句，他便打上⼏个圈；原谅坏⼈⼏句，他便说“翻天妙

⼿，与众不同”。我那⾥猜得到他们的⼼思，究竟怎样；况且是要吃的时候。

凡事总须研究，才会明⽩。古来时常吃⼈，我也还记得，可是不甚清楚。我翻开历史⼀查，这历史没有年代，歪歪斜斜

的每叶上都写着“仁义道德”⼏个字。我横竖睡不着，仔细看了半夜，才从字缝⾥看出字来，满本都写着两个字是“吃⼈”！

书上写着这许多字，佃户说了这许多话，却都笑吟吟的睁着怪眼看我。

我也是⼈，他们想要吃我了！

四

早上，我静坐了⼀会⼉。陈⽼五送进饭来，⼀碗菜，⼀碗蒸鱼；这鱼的眼睛，⽩⽽且硬，张着嘴，同那⼀伙想吃⼈的⼈

⼀样。吃了⼏筷，滑溜溜的不知是鱼是⼈，便把他兜肚连肠的吐出。

我说“⽼五，对⼤哥说，我闷得慌，想到园⾥⾛⾛。”⽼五不答应，⾛了；停⼀会，可就来开了门。

我也不动，研究他们如何摆布我；知道他们⼀定不肯放松。果然！我⼤哥引了⼀个⽼头⼦，慢慢⾛来；他满眼凶光，怕

我看出，只是低头向着地，从眼镜横边暗暗看我。⼤哥说，“今天你仿佛很好。”我说“是的。”⼤哥说，“今天请何先⽣

来，给你诊⼀诊。”我说“可以！”其实我岂不知道这⽼头⼦是刽⼦⼿扮的！⽆⾮借了看脉这名⽬，揣⼀揣肥瘠：因这功

劳，也分⼀⽚⾁吃。我也不怕；虽然不吃⼈，胆⼦却⽐他们还壮。伸出两个拳头，看他如何下⼿。⽼头⼦坐着，闭了眼

睛，摸了好⼀会，呆了好⼀会；便张开他⿁眼睛说，“不要乱想。静静的养⼏天，就好了。”

不要乱想，静静的养！养肥了，他们是⾃然可以多吃；我有什么好处，怎么会“好了”？他们这群⼈，⼜想吃⼈，⼜是⿁

⿁祟祟，想法⼦遮掩，不敢直截下⼿，真要令我笑死。我忍不住，便放声⼤笑起来，⼗分快活。⾃⼰晓得这笑声⾥⾯，

有的是义勇和正⽓。⽼头⼦和⼤哥，都失了⾊，被我这勇⽓正⽓镇压住了。

但是我有勇⽓，他们便越想吃我，沾光⼀点这勇⽓。⽼头⼦跨出门，⾛不多远，便低声对⼤哥说道，“赶紧吃罢！”⼤哥

点点头。原来也有你！这⼀件⼤发见，虽似意外，也在意中：合伙吃我的⼈，便是我的哥哥！

吃⼈的是我哥哥！

我是吃⼈的⼈的兄弟！

我⾃⼰被⼈吃了，可仍然是吃⼈的⼈的兄弟！

五

这⼏天是退⼀步想：假使那⽼头⼦不是刽⼦⼿扮的，真是医⽣，也仍然是吃⼈的⼈。他们的祖师李时珍做的“本草什

么”⑷上，明明写着⼈⾁可以煎吃；他还能说⾃⼰不吃⼈么？

⾄于我家⼤哥，也毫不冤枉他。他对我讲书的时候，亲⼝说过可以“易⼦⽽⾷”⑸；⼜⼀回偶然议论起⼀个不好的⼈，他

便说不但该杀，还当“⾷⾁寝⽪”⑹。我那时年纪还⼩，⼼跳了好半天。前天狼⼦村佃户来说吃⼼肝的事，他也毫不奇

怪，不住的点头。可见⼼思是同从前⼀样狠。既然可以“易⼦⽽⾷”，便什么都易得，什么⼈都吃得。我从前单听他讲道

理，也胡涂过去；现在晓得他讲道理的时候，不但唇边还抹着⼈油，⽽且⼼⾥满装着吃⼈的意思。

六

⿊漆漆的，不知是⽇是夜。赵家的狗⼜叫起来了。

⿊漆漆的，不知是⽇是夜。赵家的狗⼜叫起来了。

狮⼦似的凶⼼，兔⼦的怯弱，狐狸的狡猾，……

七

我晓得他们的⽅法，直捷杀了，是不肯的，⽽且也不敢，怕有祸祟。所以他们⼤家连络，布满了罗⽹，逼我⾃戕。试看

前⼏天街上男⼥的样⼦，和这⼏天我⼤哥的作为，便⾜可悟出⼋九分了。最好是解下腰带，挂在梁上，⾃⼰紧紧勒死；

他们没有杀⼈的罪名，⼜偿了⼼愿，⾃然都欢天喜地的发出⼀种呜呜咽咽的笑声。否则惊吓忧愁死了，虽则略瘦，也还

可以⾸肯⼏下。

他们是只会吃死⾁的！——记得什么书上说，有⼀种东西，叫“海⼄那”⑺的，眼光和样⼦都很难看；时常吃死⾁，连极

⼤的⾻头，都细细嚼烂，咽下肚⼦去，想起来也教⼈害怕。“海⼄那”是狼的亲眷，狼是狗的本家。前天赵家的狗，看我

⼏眼，可见他也同谋，早已接洽。⽼头⼦眼看着地，岂能瞒得我过。

最可怜的是我的⼤哥，他也是⼈，何以毫不害怕；⽽且合伙吃我呢？还是历来惯了，不以为⾮呢？还是丧了良⼼，明知

故犯呢？

我诅咒吃⼈的⼈，先从他起头；要劝转吃⼈的⼈，也先从他下⼿。

⼋

其实这种道理，到了现在，他们也该早已懂得，……

忽然来了⼀个⼈；年纪不过⼆⼗左右，相貌是不很看得清楚，满⾯笑容，对了我点头，他的笑也不像真笑。我便问

他，“吃⼈的事，对么？”他仍然笑着说，“不是荒年，怎么会吃⼈。”我⽴刻就晓得，他也是⼀伙，喜欢吃⼈的；便⾃勇⽓

百倍，偏要问他。

“对么？”

“这等事问他什么。你真会……说笑话。……今天天⽓很好。”

天⽓是好，⽉⾊也很亮了。可是我要问你，“对么？”

他不以为然了。含含胡胡的答道，“不……”

“不对？他们何以竟吃？！”

“没有的事……”

“没有的事？狼⼦村现吃；还有书上都写着，通红斩新！”

他便变了脸，铁⼀般青。睁着眼说，“有许有的，这是从来如此……”

“从来如此，便对么？”

“我不同你讲这些道理；总之你不该说，你说便是你错！”

我直跳起来，张开眼，这⼈便不见了。全⾝出了⼀⼤⽚汗。他的年纪，⽐我⼤哥⼩得远，居然也是⼀伙；这⼀定是他娘

⽼⼦先教的。还怕已经教给他⼉⼦了；所以连⼩孩⼦，也都恶狠狠的看我。

九

⾃⼰想吃⼈，⼜怕被别⼈吃了，都⽤着疑⼼极深的眼光，⾯⾯相觑。……

去了这⼼思，放⼼做事⾛路吃饭睡觉，何等舒服。这只是⼀条门槛，⼀个关头。他们可是⽗⼦兄弟夫妇朋友师⽣仇敌和

各不相识的⼈，都结成⼀伙，互相劝勉，互相牵掣，死也不肯跨过这⼀步。

⼗

⼤清早，去寻我⼤哥；他⽴在堂门外看天，我便⾛到他背后，拦住门，格外沉静，格外和⽓的对他说，

“⼤哥，我有话告诉你。”

“你说就是，”他赶紧回过脸来，点点头。

“我只有⼏句话，可是说不出来。⼤哥，⼤约当初野蛮的⼈，都吃过⼀点⼈。后来因为⼼思不同，有的不吃⼈了，⼀味

要好，便变了⼈，变了真的⼈。有的却还吃，——也同⾍⼦⼀样，有的变了鱼鸟猴⼦，⼀直变到⼈。有的不要好，⾄今

还是⾍⼦。这吃⼈的⼈⽐不吃⼈的⼈，何等惭愧。怕⽐⾍⼦的惭愧猴⼦，还差得很远很远。

“易⽛⑻蒸了他⼉⼦，给桀纣吃，还是⼀直从前的事。谁晓得从盘古开辟天地以后，⼀直吃到易⽛的⼉⼦；从易⽛的⼉

⼦，⼀直吃到徐锡林⑼；从徐锡林，⼜⼀直吃到狼⼦村捉住的⼈。去年城⾥杀了犯⼈，还有⼀个⽣痨病的⼈，⽤馒头蘸

⾎舐。

“他们要吃我，你⼀个⼈，原也⽆法可想；然⽽⼜何必去⼊伙。吃⼈的⼈，什么事做不出；他们会吃我，也会吃你，⼀

伙⾥⾯，也会⾃吃。但只要转⼀步，只要⽴刻改了，也就是⼈⼈太平。虽然从来如此，我们今天也可以格外要好，说是

不能！⼤哥，我相信你能说，前天佃户要减租，你说过不能。”

当初，他还只是冷笑，随后眼光便凶狠起来，⼀到说破他们的隐情，那就满脸都变成青⾊了。⼤门外⽴着⼀伙⼈，赵贵

翁和他的狗，也在⾥⾯，都探头探脑的挨进来。有的是看不出⾯貌，似乎⽤布蒙着；有的是仍旧青⾯獠⽛，抿着嘴笑。

我认识他们是⼀伙，都是吃⼈的⼈。可是也晓得他们⼼思很不⼀样，⼀种是以为从来如此，应该吃的；⼀种是知道不该

吃，可是仍然要吃，⼜怕别⼈说破他，所以听了我的话，越发⽓愤不过，可是抿着嘴冷笑。

这时候，⼤哥也忽然显出凶相，⾼声喝道，

“都出去！疯⼦有什么好看！”

这时候，我⼜懂得⼀件他们的巧妙了。他们岂但不肯改，⽽且早已布置；预备下⼀个疯⼦的名⽬罩上我。将来吃了，不

但太平⽆事，怕还会有⼈见情。佃户说的⼤家吃了⼀个恶⼈，正是这⽅法。这是他们的⽼谱！

陈⽼五也⽓愤愤的直⾛进来。如何按得住我的⼝，我偏要对这伙⼈说，

“你们可以改了，从真⼼改起！要晓得将来容不得吃⼈的⼈，活在世上。

“你们要不改，⾃⼰也会吃尽。即使⽣得多，也会给真的⼈除灭了，同猎⼈打完狼⼦⼀样！——同⾍⼦⼀样！”

那⼀伙⼈，都被陈⽼五赶⾛了。⼤哥也不知那⾥去了。陈⽼五劝我回屋⼦⾥去。屋⾥⾯全是⿊沉沉的。横梁和椽⼦都在

头上发抖；抖了⼀会，就⼤起来，堆在我⾝上。

万分沉重，动弹不得；他的意思是要我死。我晓得他的沉重是假的，便挣扎出来，出了⼀⾝汗。可是偏要说，

“你们⽴刻改了，从真⼼改起！你们要晓得将来是容不得吃⼈的⼈，……”

⼗⼀

太阳也不出，门也不开，⽇⽇是两顿饭。

我捏起筷⼦，便想起我⼤哥；晓得妹⼦死掉的缘故，也全在他。那时我妹⼦才五岁，可爱可怜的样⼦，还在眼前。母亲

哭个不住，他却劝母亲不要哭；⼤约因为⾃⼰吃了，哭起来不免有点过意不去。如果还能过意不去，……

妹⼦是被⼤哥吃了，母亲知道没有，我可不得⽽知。

母亲想也知道；不过哭的时候，却并没有说明，⼤约也以为应当的了。记得我四五岁时，坐在堂前乘凉，⼤哥说爷娘⽣

病，做⼉⼦的须割下⼀⽚⾁来，煮熟了请他吃，⑽才算好⼈；母亲也没有说不⾏。⼀⽚吃得，整个的⾃然也吃得。但是

那天的哭法，现在想起来，实在还教⼈伤⼼，这真是奇极的事！

⼗⼆

不能想了。

四千年来时时吃⼈的地⽅，今天才明⽩，我也在其中混了多年；⼤哥正管着家务，妹⼦恰恰死了，他未必不和在饭菜

⾥，暗暗给我们吃。

我未必⽆意之中，不吃了我妹⼦的⼏⽚⾁，现在也轮到我⾃⼰，……

有了四千年吃⼈履历的我，当初虽然不知道，现在明⽩，难见真的⼈！

⼗三

没有吃过⼈的孩⼦，或者还有？

救救孩⼦……

⼀九⼀⼋年四⽉。

注释

⑴本篇最初发表于⼀九⼀⼋年五⽉《新青年》第四卷第五号。作者⾸次采⽤了“鲁迅”这⼀笔名。它是我国现代⽂学史上

第⼀篇猛烈抨击“吃⼈”的封建礼教的⼩说。作者除在本书（《呐喊》）《⾃序》中提及它产⽣的缘由外，⼜在《〈中国

新⽂学⼤系〉⼩说⼆集序》中指出它“意在暴露家族制度和礼教的弊害”，可以参看。

⑵候补：清代官制，通过科举或捐纳等途径取得官衔，但还没有实际职务的中下级官员，由吏部抽签分发到某部或某

省，听候委⽤，称为候补。

⑶古久先⽣的陈年流⽔簿⼦：这⾥⽐喻我国封建主义统治的长久历史。

⑷“本草什么”：指《本草纲⽬》，明代医学家李时珍（1518—1593）的药物学著作，共五⼗⼆卷。该书曾经提到唐代陈

藏器《本草拾遗》中以⼈⾁医治痨的记载，并表⽰了异议。这⾥说李时珍的书“明明写着⼈⾁可以煎吃”，当是“狂

⼈”的“记中语误”。

⑸“易⼦⽽⾷”：语见《左传》宣公⼗五年，是宋将华元对楚将⼦反叙说宋国都城被楚军围困时的惨状：“敝⾢易⼦⽽⾷，

析骸⽽爨。”

⑹“⾷⾁寝⽪”：语出《左传》襄公⼆⼗⼀年，晋国州绰对齐庄公说：“然⼆⼦者，譬于禽兽，⾂⾷其⾁⽽寝处其⽪矣。

”（按：“⼆⼦”指齐国的殖绰和郭最，他们曾被州绰俘虏过。）

⑺“海⼄那”：英语hyena的⾳译，即鬣狗（⼜名⼟狼），⼀种⾷⾁兽，常跟在狮虎等猛兽之后，以它们吃剩的兽类的残

⼫为⾷。

⑻易⽛：春秋时齐国⼈，善于调味。据《管⼦•⼩称》：“夫易⽛以调和事公（按：指齐桓公），公⽈‘惟蒸婴⼉之未尝’，

于是蒸其⾸⼦⽽献之公。”桀、纣各为我国夏朝和商朝的最后⼀代君主，易⽛和他们不是同时代⼈。这⾥说的“易⽛蒸了

他⼉⼦，给桀纣吃”，也是“狂⼈”“语颇错杂⽆伦次”的表现。

⑼徐锡林：隐指徐锡麟（1873—1907），字伯荪，浙江绍兴⼈，清末⾰命团体光复会的重要成员。⼀九○七年与秋瑾

准备在浙、皖两省同时起义。七⽉六⽇，他以安徽巡警处会办兼巡警学堂监督⾝份为掩护，乘学堂举⾏毕业典礼之机刺

死安徽巡抚恩铭，率领学⽣攻占军械局，弹尽被捕，当⽇惨遭杀害，⼼肝被恩铭的卫队挖出炒⾷。⑽指“割股疗亲”，即

死安徽巡抚恩铭，率领学⽣攻占军械局，弹尽被捕，当⽇惨遭杀害，⼼肝被恩铭的卫队挖出炒⾷。⑽指“割股疗亲”，即

割取⾃⼰的股⾁煎药，以医治⽗母的重病。这是封建社会的⼀种愚孝⾏为。《宋史•选举志⼀》：“上以孝取⼈，则勇者

割股，怯者庐墓。”

译⽂：

选⾃《鲁迅⼩说选》，杨宪益、戴乃迭译，外⽂出版社，2003年，114页。

AMADMAN'SDIARY

Twobrothers,whonamesIneednotmentionhere,werebothgoodfriendsofmineinhighschool;butaftera

meagoIhappenedtohearthatoneofthemwasriouslyill,

andsinceIwasgoingbacktomyoldhomeIbrokemyjourneytocallonthem,Isawonlyone,however,whotoldme

thattheinvalidwashisyoungerbrother.

"Iappreciateyourcomingsuchalongwaytoeus,"hesaid,"butmybrotherrecoveredsometimeagoandhasgone

elwheretotakeupanofficialpost."Then,laughing,heproducedtwovolumesofhisbrother'sdiary,sayingthatfrom

thethenatureofhispastillnesscouldbeen,

thediaryaway,readitthrough,tingwas

mostconfudandincoherent,andhehadmademanywildstatements;moreoverhehadomittedtogiveanydates,so

thatonlybythecolouroftheinkandthedifferencesinthewritingcouldonetellthatitwasnotwrittenatonetime.

Certainctions,however,werenotaltogetherdisconnected,andIhavecopiedoutaparttorveasasubjectfor

otalteredasingleillogicalityinthediaryandhavechangedonlythenames,eventhough

thepeoplereferredtoareallcountryfolk,hetitle,itwaschon

bythediaristhimlfafterhisrecovery,andIdidnotchangeit.

I

Tonightthemoonisverybright.

Ihavenotenitforoverthirtyyears,torealizethatduring

thepastthirty-oddyearsIhavebeeninthedark;iwhyshouldthatdogat

theChaohouhavelookedatmetwice?

Ihavereasonformyfear.

II

Tonightthereisnomoonatall,rningwhenIwentoutcautiously,da

strangelookinhiyes,asifhewereafraidofme,erevenoreightothers,

fiercestamongthemgrinnedatme;whereuponIshiveredfromheadtofoot,knowingthattheirpreparationswere

complete.

Iwasnotafraid,however,ofchildreninfrontwerealsodiscussingme,andthelook

'redwhatgrudgethe

nothelpcallingout:"Tellme!"Butthentheyran

away.

nhaveagainstme,

'saccountsheetsformanyyearspast,

esnotknowhim,hemusthaveheardtalkofthisanddecidedtoavenge

him,soheisconspiringagainstmewiththepeopleontheroad,Butthenwhatofthechildren?Atthattimetheywere

notyetborn,sowhyshouldtheyeyemesostrangelytoday,asiftheywereafraidofme,asiftheywantedtomurder

me?Thisreallyfrightensme,itissobewilderinganduptting.

sthavelearnedthisfromtheirparents!

______

[Note:KuChiu]:KuChiumeans"AncientTimes."LuHsunhadinmindthelonghistoryoffeudaloppressioninChina.

III

Ican'hingrequirescarefulconsiderationifoneistounderstandit.

Thopeople,someofwhomhavebeenpilloriedbythemagistrate,slappedinthefacebythelocalgentry,hadtheir

wivestakenawaybybailiffs,ortheirparentsdriventosuicidebycreditors,neverlookedasfrightenedandasfierce

thenastheydidyesterday.

Themostextraordinarythingwasthatwomanonthestreetyesterdaywhospankedhersonandsaid,"Littledevil!I'd

liketobiteveralmouthfulsoutofyoutoworkoffmyfeelings!"start,unable

tocontrolmylf;thenallthogreen-faced,nhurriedforward

anddraggedmehome.

kathomeallpretendednottoknowme;theyhadthesamelookintheireyesasallthe

entintothestudy,cidentleft

meevenmorebewildered.

AfewdaysagoatenantofoursfromWolfCubVillagecametoreportthefailureofthecrops,andtoldmyelderbrother

thatanotoriouscharacterintheirvillagehadbeenbeatentodeath;thensomepeoplehadtakenouthisheartandliver,

friedtheminoilandeatenthem,nterrupted,thetenantandmybrother

dayhaveIrealizedthattheyhadexactlythesamelookintheireyesasthopeopleoutside.

Justtothinkofittsmeshiveringfromthecrownofmyheadtothesolesofmyfeet.

Theyeathumanbeings,sotheymayeatme.

Iethatwoman's"biteveralmouthfulsoutofyou,"thelaughterofthogreen-faced,long-toothedpeopleandthe

tenant'zeallthepoisonintheirspeech,allthedaggersintheir

eetharewhiteandglistening:theyareallman-eaters.

Itemstome,althoughIamnotabadman,'

emtohavecretswhichIcannotguess,ber

whenmyelderbrothertaughtmetowritecompositions,nomatterhowgoodamanwas,ifIproducedargumentstothe

contraryhewouldmarkthatpassagetoshowhisapproval;whileifIexcudevil-doers,hewouldsay:"Goodforyou,

thatshowsoriginality."HowcanIpossiblyguesstheircretthoughts—especiallywhentheyarereadytoeatpeople?

enttimes,asIrecollect,peopleoftenate

humanbeings,tolookthisup,butmyhistoryhasnochronology,andscrawledall

overeachpagearethewords:"VirtueandMorality."SinceIcouldnotsleepanyway,Ireadintentlyhalfthenight,untilI

begantoewordsbetweenthelines,thewholebookbeingfilledwiththetwowords—"Eatpeople."

Allthewordswritteninthebook,allthewordsspokenbyourtenant,gazeatmestrangelywithanenigmaticsmile.

Itooamaman,andtheywanttoeatme!

IV

nbroughtlunchin:onebowlofvegetables,onebowlofsteamed

softhefishwerewhiteandhard,anditsmouthwasopenjustlikethopeoplewhowanttoeathuman

fewmouthfulsIcouldnottellwhethertheslipperymorlswerefishorhumanflesh,soIbroughtitall

up.

Isaid,"OldChen,tellmybrotherthatIfeelquitesuffocated,andwanttohaveastrollinthegarden."OldChensaid

nothingbutwentout,andprentlyhecamebackandopenedthegate.

Ididnotmove,butwatchedtoehowtheywouldtreatme,ough!

Myelderbrothercameslowlyout,asamurderousgleaminhiyes,andfearingthatI

wouldeitheloweredhishead,stealingglancesatmefromthesideofhisspectacles.

"Youemtobeverywelltoday,"saidmybrother.

"Yes,"saidI.

"today,"saidmybrother,"toexamineyou."

"Allright,"lyIknewquitewellthatthisoldmanwastheexecutionerindisgui!Hesimplyudthe

pretextoffeelingmypultoehowfatIwas;wasnot

ghIdonoteatmen,utmytwofists,toewhathewoulddo.

Theoldmansatdown,clodhiyes,fumbledforsometimeandremainedstillforsometime;thenheopenedhis

shiftyeyesandsaid,"Don'ietlyforafewdays,andyouwillbeall

right."

Don'tletyourimaginationrunawaywithyou!Restquietlyforafewdays!WhenIhavegrownfat,naturallytheywill

havemoretoeat;butwhatgoodwillitdome,orhowcanitbe"allright"?Allthepeoplewantingtoeathumanflesh

andatthesametimestealthilytryingtokeepupappearances,notdaringtoactpromptly,reallymademenearlydieof

nothelproaringwithlaughter,hatinthislaughterwerecourageand

eoldmanandmybrotherturnedpale,awedbymycourageandintegrity.

ButjustbecauIambravetheyarethemoreeagertoeatme,man

wentoutofthegate,butbeforehehadgonefarhesaidtomybrotherinalowvoice,"Tobeeatenatonce!"Andmy

reinittoo!Thisstupendousdiscovery,althoughitcameasashock,isyetnomorethanIhad

expected:theaccompliceineatingmeismyelderbrother!

Theeaterofhumanfleshismyelderbrother!

Iamtheyoungerbrotherofaneaterofhumanflesh!

Imylfwillbeeatenbyothers,butnonethelessIamtheyoungerbrotherofaneaterofhumanflesh!

V

ThefewdaysIhavebeenthinkingagain:suppothatoldmanwerenotanexecutionerindisgui,butareal

doctor;bookonherbs,writtenbyhispredecessorLiShih-

chen,itisclearlystatedthatmen'sfleshcanheboiledandeaten;socanhestillsaythathedoesnoteatmen?

Asformyelderbrother,wasteachingme,hesaidwithhisownlips,

"Peopleexchangetheirsonstoeat."Andonceindiscussingabadman,hesaidthatnotonlydidhedervetobe

killed,heshould"havehisflesheatenandhishideslepton....Iwasstillyoungthen,andmyheartbeatfasterfor

sometime,hewasnotatallsurpridbythestorythatourtenantfromWolfCubVillagetoldustheotherdayabout

eatingaman'sheartandliver,tispossibleto

"exchangesonstoeat,"thenanythingcanbeexchanged,astIsimplylistenedtohis

explanations,andletitgoatthat;nowIknowthatwhenheexplainedittome,notonlywastherehumanfatatthe

cornerofhislips,buthiswholeheartwastoneatingmen.

______

[Note:LiShih-chen]Afamouspharmacologist(1518-1593),authorofBen-cao-gang-mu,theMateriaMedica.

[Note:lips]ThearequotationsfromtheoldclassicZuoZhuan.

[Note:lips]ThearequotationsfromtheoldclassicZuoZhuan.

VI

'ofamilydoghasstartedbarkingagain.

Thefiercenessofalion,thetimidityofarabbit,thecraftinessofafox....

VII

Iknowtheirway;theyarenotwillingtokillanyoneoutright,nordotheydare,dthey

havebandedtogetherandttrapverywhere,aviourofthemenandwomeninthe

streetafewdaysago,andmyelderbrother'sattitudethelastfewdays,eylikebestis

foramantotakeoffhisbelt,andhanghimlffromabeam;forthentheycanenjoytheirheart'sdesirewithoutbeing

therhand,ifamanisfrightenedor

worriedtodeath,althoughthatmakeshimratherthin,theystillnodinapproval.

Theyonlyeatdeadflesh!Irememberreadingsomewhereofahideousbeast,withanuglylookinitye,called

"hyena"elargestbonesitgrindsintofragmentsandswallows:themerethoughtof

arerelatedtowolves,erdaythe

dogintheChaohoulookedatmeveraltimes;

oldman'yeswerecastdown,butthatdidnotdeceiveme!

soaman,sowhyishenotafraid,whyisheplottingwithotherstoeat

me?Isitthatwhenoneisudtoithenolongerthinksitacrime?Orisitthathehashardenedhishearttodo

somethingheknowsiswrong?

Incursingman-eaters,Ishallstartwithmybrother,andindissuadingman-eaters,Ishallstartwithhimtoo.

VIII

Actually,suchargumentsshouldhaveconvincedthemlongago....

e

waswreathedinsmiles,him"Isitrighttoeat

humanbeings?"

Stillsmiling,hereplied,"Whenthereisnofaminehowcanoneeathumanbeings?"

Irealizedatonce,hewasoneofthem;butstillIsummonedupcouragetorepeatmyquestion:

"Isitright?"

"Whatmakesyouasksuchathing?Youreallyare..fondofajoke....Itisveryfinetoday."

"Itisfine,nttoaskyou:Isitright?"

Helookeddisconcerted,andmuttered:"No...."

"No?Thenwhydotheystilldoit?"

"Whatareyoutalkingabout?"

"WhatamItalkingabout?TheyareeatingmennowinWolfCubVillage,andyoucaneitwrittenalloverthebooks,

infreshredink."

Hixpressionchanged,andhegrewghastlypale."Itmaybeso,"hesaid,staringatme."Ithasalwaysbeenlikethat.

Hixpressionchanged,andhegrewghastlypale."Itmaybeso,"hesaid,staringatme."Ithasalwaysbeenlikethat.

..."

"Isitrightbecauithasalwaysbeenlikethat?"

",youshouldn'rtalksaboutitisinthewrong!"

Ileapedupandopenedmyeyeswide,uch

youngerthanmyelderbrother,afraidhe

hasalreadytaughthisson:thatiswhyeventhechildrenlookatmesofiercely.

IX

Wantingtoeatmen,atthesametimeafraidofbeingeatenthemlves,theyalllookateachotherwiththedeepest

suspicion....

Howcomfortablelifewouldbeforthemiftheycouldridthemlvesofsuchobssionsandgotowork,walk,eatand

hersandsons,husbandsandwives,brothers,friends,

teachersandstudents,swornenemiesandevenstrangers,havealljoinedinthisconspiracy,discouragingand

preventingeachotherfromtakingthisstep.

X

tandingoutsidethehalldoorlookingatthesky,whenI

walkedupbehindhim,stoodbetweenhimandthedoor,andwithexceptionalpoiandpolitenesssaidtohim:

"Brother,Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou."

"Well,whatisit?"heasked,quicklyturningtowardsmeandnodding.

"Itisverylittle,r,probablyallprimitivepeopleatealittlehumanfleshtobeginwith.

Later,becautheiroutlookchanged,someofthemstopped,andbecautheytriedtobegoodtheychangedinto

men,earestilleating—vechangedintofish,birds,monkeys

andfinallymen;owhoeatmencomparethemlves

withthowhodonot,lymuchmoreashamedthanthereptilesarebefore

monkeys.

"InancienttimesYiYaboiledhissonforChiehandChoutoeat;uallysincethecreationof

heavenandearthbyPanKumenhavebeeneatingeachother,fromthetimeofYiYa'ssontothetimeofHsuHsi-

lin,artheyexecutedacriminalin

thecity,andaconsumptivesoakedapieceofbreadinhisbloodandsuckedit.

"Theywanttoeatme,andofcouryoucandonothingaboutitsingle-handed;butwhyshouldyoujointhem?As

eatme,theycaneatyouaswell;membersofthesamegroupcanstill

ouwilljustchangeyourwaysimmediately,ghthishas

beengoingonsincetimeimmemorial,todaywecouldmakeaspecialefforttobegood,andsaythisisnottobedone!

I'msureyoucansayso,erdaywhenthetenantwantedtherentreduced,yousaiditcouldn'tbedone."

Atfirstheonlysmiledcynically,thenamurderousgleamcameintohiyes,andwhenIspokeoftheircrethisface

ethegatestoodagroupofpeople,dhisdog,allcraningtheirneckstopeer

notealltheirfaces,fortheyemedtobemaskedincloths;someofthemlookedpaleandghastlystill,

heywereoneband,soknewthattheydidnotall

themthoughtthatsinceithadalwaysbeenso,them

knewthattheyshouldnoteatmen,butstillwantedto;andtheywereafraidpeoplemightdiscovertheircret;thus

whentheyheardmetheybecameangry,l,tight-lippedsmile.

Suddenlymybrotherlookedfurious,andshoutedinaloudvoice:

"Getoutofhere,allofyou!Whatisthepointoflookingatamadman?"

uldneverbewillingtochangetheirstand,andtheirplanswerealllaid;

rewhenIwaaten,notonlywouldtherebenotrouble,butpeople

rtenantspokeofthevillageratingabadcharacter,itwaxactlythe

theiroldtrick.

OldChencameintoo,inagreattemper,buttheycouldnotstopmymouth,Ihadtospeaktothopeople:

"Youshouldchange,changefromthebottomofyourhearts!"Isaid."Youmostknowthatinfuturetherewillbeno

placeforman-eatersintheworld.

"Ifyoudon'tchange,ghsomanyareborn,theywillbewipedoutbythereal

men,kereptiles!"

m

led

ontopofme.

Theweightwassogreat,hattheweightwasfal,soI

struggledout,dtosay:

"Youshouldchangeatonce,changefromthebottomofyourhearts!Youmustknowthatinfuturetherewillbeno

placeforman-eatersintheworld...."

______

[Note:YiYa]Accordingtoancientrecords,YiYacookedhissonandprentedhimtoDukeHuanofChiwhoreigned

manhasmadeamistakehere.

[Note:HsuHsi-lin]ArevolutionaryattheendoftheChingdynasty(1644-1911),HsuHsi-linwaxecutedin1907for

rtandliverwereeaten.

XI

Thesundoesnotshine,thedoorisnotopened,everydaytwomeals.

Itookupmychopsticks,thenthoughtofmyelderbrother;Iknownowhowmylittlesisterdied:itwasallthroughhim.

criedandcried,

buthebeggedhernottocry,probablybecauhehadeatenherhimlf,

hehadanynofshame....

Mysisterwaatenbymybrother,butIdon'tknowwhethermotherrealizeditornot.

Ithinkmothermusthaveknown,butwhenshecriedshedidnotsaysooutright,probablybecaushethoughtit

berwhenIwasfourorfiveyearsold,sittinginthecoolofthehall,mybrothertoldmethatifaman's

parentswereill,heshouldcutoffapieceofhisfleshandboilitforthemifhewantedtobeconsideredagoodson;and

iececouldbeeaten,justtothinkofthe

mourningthenstillmakesmyheartbleed;thatistheextraordinarythingaboutit!

XII

Ican'tbeartothinkofit.

IhaveonlyjustrealizedthatIhavebeenlivingalltheyearsinaplacewhereforfourthousandyearstheyhavebeen

herhadjusttakenoverthechargeofthehouwhenoursisterdied,andhemaywellhave

herhadjusttakenoverthechargeofthehouwhenoursisterdied,andhemaywellhave

udherfleshinourriceanddishes,makinguatitunwittingly.

ItispossiblethatIateveralpiecesofmysister'sfleshunwittingly,andnowitismyturn,...

Howcanamanlikemylf,afterfourthousandyearsofman-caringhistory—eventhoughIknewnothingaboutitat

first—everhopetofacerealmen?

XIII

Perhapstherearestillchildrenwhohavenoteatenmen?Savethechildren....

April1918