Permit me to observe: the late emperor was taken from us before he could finish his life's work， the restoration of the Han. Today， the empire is still divided in three， and our very survival is threatened.
However， the officials who serve within the court remain diligent， and the loyal warriors who fight on the frontier forget their own lives. They do this out of gratitude for the late Emperor’s exceptional kindness， hoping to repay it to Your Majesty.
【原文】 先帝创业未半而中道崩殂，今天下三分，益州疲弊，此诚危急存亡之秋也。然侍卫之臣不懈于内，忠志之士忘身于外者，盖追先帝之殊遇，欲报之于陛下也。诚宜开张圣听，以光先帝遗德，恢弘志士之气，不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失义，以塞忠谏之路也。 宫中府中，俱为一体；陟罚臧否，不宜异同。
