吴起，卫国人也。少好学，广求知识，然家贫无以自资，常为人佣工以养己。其志在经邦济世，故虽劳苦不辞。
初仕于鲁，时鲁国弱小，诸侯环伺，吴起深知鲁之存亡在于强兵。于是请为将，练兵备战，以御外敌。吴起治军严明，赏罚分明，士兵皆乐为其用。尝有卒母病危，吴起特许归家探视，卒感其恩，临行前誓死效命。后卒战死沙场，吴起亲往祭奠，抚其子而抚恤其家，军中感泣，无不奋勇争先。
然吴起性刚直，与权贵多不合。鲁君疑其专权，惧其功高震主，遂杀之。吴起亡走魏，魏文侯拜为将。吴起在魏，修长城，拒秦、韩，使魏国边境得安。文侯问政，吴起对曰：“治国之道，在于爱民，民心所向，则国本固矣。”文侯深以为然，遂委以重任。
后吴起入楚，楚悼王甚器重之。吴起在楚，变法图强，废除旧制，裁减冗官，奖励耕战，使楚国渐趋强盛。然楚国旧贵族多怨恨吴起，欲害之。悼王崩，新王即位，旧贵族作乱，围攻吴起。吴起逃至悼王尸旁，伏尸而呼：“愿以吾血溅王尸，以谢天下！”乱兵刺吴起，吴起身死，血溅悼王尸上。
呜呼！吴起之才，实为难得。然因其刚直不阿，屡遭排挤，终至身死。其志未竟，令人叹息！
翻译：
Wu Qi was from the State of Wei. When he was young, he loved learning and sought knowledge widely. However, due to his family's poverty, he often worked as an employee to support himself. Wu Qi had ambitions to govern the country and help its people, so he endured hardships without complaint.
Initially serving in the state of Lu, Lu was weak at that time with surrounding states threatening it. Wu Qi knew that the survival of Lu depended on a strong army. Therefore, he requested to be appointed as general and trained soldiers for defense against external enemies. Wu Qi governed the army strictly, enforcing discipline and fair rewards and punishments, making all soldiers willing to follow him. Once, there was a soldier whose mother was seriously ill, and Wu Qi specially allowed him to go home to visit her. The soldier was deeply moved by his kindness and vowed to die for him before leaving. Later, this soldier died in battle, and Wu Qi personally went to mourn him, comforted his son, and provided relief to his family. All the soldiers were moved to tears and fought bravely.
However, Wu Qi was straightforward in nature and often clashed with the nobles. The ruler of Lu suspected that he held too much power and feared that his achievements would overshadow the ruler, so he killed Wu Qi. Wu Qi fled to the state of Wei, where Duke Wen of Wei appointed him as general. Wu Qi built the Great Wall in Wei, resisting the Qin and Han states, allowing the border of Wei to remain peaceful. Duke Wen asked Wu Qi about governance, and Wu Qi replied: "The way to govern a country lies in loving the people; when the people's hearts are aligned, the foundation of the country will be solid." Duke Wen agreed deeply and entrusted him with important responsibilities.
Later, Wu Qi entered Chu, where King Dao of Chu valued him greatly. Wu Qi implemented reforms in Chu, abolishing old systems, reducing redundant officials, and rewarding farming and warfare, gradually strengthening Chu. However, the old aristocrats in Chu resented Wu Qi and wanted to harm him. After King Dao's death, his successor ascended the throne, and the old aristocrats rebelled, attacking Wu Qi. Wu Qi fled to the side of King Dao's corpse,伏尸而呼："愿以吾血溅王尸，以谢天下！" (I wish my blood to stain Your Majesty's corpse to apologize to the world!) The rebels stabbed Wu Qi, and he died, his blood splashing onto King Dao's corpse.
Alas! Wu Qi's talent was rare. However, because of his straightforwardness and integrity, he was repeatedly marginalized and ultimately met his end. His aspirations remained unfulfilled, which is truly lamentable!
