皇帝臨立，作制明法，臣下修飭。

​

The Emperor[1] having been enthroned,

He drafted edicts and clarified the laws,

Rectifying the conduct of his subordinates.

​

廿有六年，初並天下，彆不賓服。

​

In his twenty-sixth year[2]

All-Under-Heaven was first united,

And even the most recalcitrant submitted.

​

寴䡅遠黎，登茲泰山，週覽東極。

​

He personally visited his most distant subjects,

Climbing Mount Tai[3]

To observe the eastern borderlands.

​

從臣思跡，本原事業，祗誦功德。

​

The servants who followed on reflected upon his progress,

From the very beginnings of his great labour,

Praising his achievements and his glory.

​

治道運行，者產得宜，皆有法式。

​

His conduct of government was always apt

Increasing national production accordingly,

Everything according to the proper method.

​

大義箸明，陲於後嗣，順承勿革。

​

His grand principles written out clearly,

To be handed down to future generations,

To be followed and never revised.

​

皇帝躬聽，既平天下，不懈於治。

​

The Emperor heard cases in person,

Having brought peace to All-Under-Heaven,

His energy in government did not slacken.

​

夙興夜寐，建設長利，專隆教誨。

​

He rose early and slept late,

Building for future gain,

Disseminating his teachings,​

​​

訓經宣達，遠近畢理，咸承聖志。

​

Following the texts and propagating them,

Perfecting his system near and far,

That all should accomplish his sagely will.

​

貴賤分明，男女體順，慎遵職。

​

Clearly distinguishing worthy and worthless,

Letting male and female fulfill their roles,

Each in their proper function[4].

​

昭隔內外，靡不清淨，施於昆嗣。

​

Distinguishing internal and external,

Such that there was nowhere that was not at peace,

And his works would be handed down.

​

化及無窮，遵奉遺詔，永承重戒。

​

A perpetual and unending revolution,

In fulfillment of the edicts left behind,

Upholding them conscientiously forever.

​​

[1] Qin Shihuang. This stele was carved in 219 BC.

[2] I.e. the 26th year of his reign as King of Qin, 221 BC.

[3] Mount Tai is in modern Shandong and has been a cult centre for at least 3000 years.

[4] There may be a missing character here.