皇帝立國，維初在昔，嗣世稱王。

​

The founding emperors established their states[1],

In the earliest ages of ancient history,

Their descendants being acclaimed as kings of this world.

​

討伐亂逆，威動四極，武義直方。

​

Crusading against the forces of disorder and rebellion,

Their power reverberating to the four horizons,

Regulating their dominions with righteous force,

​​

戎臣奉詔，經時不久，滅六暴強。

​

Our troops received our summons

And before many years had passed,

The six warlord powers were wiped out.

​

廿有六年，上薦高號，孝道顯明。

​

After twenty-six years[2],

I ascended to a higher position and a more exalted name[3],

Thus manifesting my respect for my ancestors.

​​

既獻泰成，乃降専惠，寴䡅遠方。

 

Having offered up my meritorious services,

I thus set out to spread my benevolence abroad[4],

And tour the distant domains of my people[5].

​

登於繹山，羣臣從者，鹹思攸長。

​

I climbed Mount Yi

Accompanied by my retainers,

Our thoughts growing expansive[6],

​

追念亂世，分土建邦，以開爭理。

​

Retracing the chaotic years in our minds,

The dividing up of the land and the establishment of states[7],

Inaugurating an age regulated by war.

​

功戰日作，流血於野，自泰古始。

​

Raids and battles were our quotidian,

Blood flowing in the wilderness,

Since the beginning of highest antiquity.

​

世無萬數，陀及五帝，莫能禁止。

​

Down through the innumerable aeons,

Not even the Five Emperors[8]

​Could have brought it to a halt.

​​

廼今皇帝，壹家天下，兵不復起。

​​

Until[9] the present Emperor,

Who made one family of All-Under-Heaven,

That no more troops should be raised.

​​

𤉣害滅除，黔首康定，利澤長久。

​​

The catastrophes[10] were brought to an end,

And tranquility was established among the populace,

Favours pouring down upon them without end.

​

羣臣誦略，刻此樂石，以箸經紀。

​

My assembled servants summarised their praises thus,

And carved them on this stone,

To serve as a written record.

​

[1] This was one of several mountain inscriptions carved during the Qin dynasty. It was carved in 219 BC, two years after unification. It was destroyed during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, but preserved through copies.

[2] That is the 26th year of his reign as King of Qin.

[3] I.e. he became Emperor.

[4] 専 may be intended to read 專. This does not change the meaning.

[5] 寴䡅 may be intended to read 親巡. This does not change the meaning.

[6] This is a best-guess translation. I have seen modern Chinese versions interpret this as 沐浴天恩荣光, but I have no idea why.

[7] I.e. the establishment of the feudal system.

[8] These were semi-legendary founding sovereigns. The precise list of individuals varies by source.

[9] 廼 may be intended to read 乃. This does not significantly change the meaning.

[10] 𤉣 may be intended to read 災. This does not change the meaning.