김득연 편지 번역
목차
Student 1
金得硏 書翰 (한국학중앙연구원 장서각 편,『명가의 고문서』7)
A letter from Kim Tŭkyŏn
I received this letter with prostration and extreme gratitude. You humbled yourself to check my well-being. I came to know that your body is fully well and the extremity of my gratitude and appreciation does not allow me to calm down my emotions. Furthermore, you gave me with sincerity your generous guidance and at the same time you bestowed me the precious treasure from the sea. I hold it up and bowing, I do not know how to describe my gratitude. Me, with white hair and in the end of my path, by chance I received the post of chikmun[4], fortunately I still have a chance. However, I stopped reading classical books, my spirit and my perception are old and hazy. Although sometimes I open the book and read, I close the book and I forget. Again, is there any hope that it would change? Looking back, I have nothing to see, nothing is as good as just sitting quietly but I cannot avoid my habit of getting entangled [with things]. Again I made up this plan to raise myself by force. I am the one who does not know his own capacity. Laughable. Your son is travelling around for long and has not seen any gain of accomplishments. Perhaps he is getting benevolence[5] when travelling. Every time I receive such a sincere order from you, I am so worried and do not know what to do. I come and go without any point and it has been only within one month. It only depends on your daughter’s proceeding [with a matter]. The grace of the bow, I feel now great appreciation. [However,] the use of the excellent armour[6] does not fit to the old scholar, so I feel extremely sorry. I wish you my added blessing for the coming in the cold weather, take care of yourself.
[4] 直門 [5] 輔仁 [6] 八札
Student 2
When I was missing you, I threw myself on the floor to bow as I received your letter in which you humbled yourself. Knowing fully that you are safe and sound, because of the greatness of my gratitude and appreciation, I cannot compose myself. Furthermore, you gave me your generous teachings diligently/with sincerity, and concurrently you bestowed me delicacies from the sea (aka seafood), I received them with respect and bow, and do not know how to describe it). I, Yeon, my hair gray at the end of my life's path, I stumbled upon an official post, a fortune I had. However, I stopped reading classics, and my spirit and mind are old and blurry. Although per chance I open the book and read, I close the book and forget right away – again, what can I hope for? Looking back there is nothing to show, I might as well sit still. I could not avoid getting the old habit of involved in things, and I conceived this plan of raising myself up by force, I am so called one who does not know his own capacity, LOL (laughable). Your son’s long time of going around about, having not seen the benefit/gain of accomplishment, truly being lost in his directions from his helping out his friends. Also, every time I receive your sincere request of this degree, I sincerely am afraid that I cannot carry it out. My coming and going in vain is only within a span of one month. I only wait for your daughter to make a decision. I feel a great appreciation for the graciousness of the bow, The use of excellent armor is not appropriate for an old scholar. On the contrary I am extremely sorry. My added blessing before you for the coming cold weather. Take care of yourself for the country. I bow to before your care. I humbly bow to you and raise/send a letter of appreciation to you. Keeping it short.
