Tom: Compared with western literature, is there any characteristic of Chinese literature?

跟西方文学相比，中国文学有什么特征

Jerry: Is it a bit reserved?

中国文学比较含蓄吧?

Tom: Yes, it is related with the culture, Western people always are straightforward when they are expressing themselves.

这和文化有一定关系，西方的人们在表达上也比较直截了当。

Jerry: In Chinese Literature, Confucianism and Taoism are in the leading position.

在中国文学中，儒家思想和道家思想占据了主导地位。

Tom: Right, there is also Buddhist thinking.

对的，还掺杂了一些佛教思想。

Jerry: Of course, Chinese literators also accept the positive attitude of Confucianism.

当然，中国文人很多容纳了儒家的兼善精神。

Tom: You mean, “If you live a life of hardships, you can manage yourself alone. But if you are powerful enough, you should also take more care of the world.”

你指是“穷则独善其身，达则兼济天下”吧?

Jerry: Absolutely, both the positive and negative attitude has been mixed.

没错，这种积极和消极的态度是交织在一起的。