Standards for Being a Good Student and Child is a book that
was taught by Chinese saints and sages of the ancient past.
首孝弟。次谨信。
First be filial to your own parents
And respectful to all of your elders.
The book first teaches us how to be dutiful to your parents, and how to be respectful and loving to our siblings.
It then teaches us how to be cautious with all people, matters, and things in our daily life, and how to be a trustworthy person; and to believe in the teachings of the ancient saints and sages.
泛爱众。而亲仁。
Be trustworthy, cautious and kind,
And draw near to those who are good.
Furthermore, it teaches us to love all equally,
and to be close to and learn from people of virtue and compassion.
有余力。则学文。
Whatever time you have left
Should be devoted to learning.
Only when we have accomplished all the above
can we then study further and learn literature and art to improve the quality of our cultural and spiritual lives.作者: jenniferchina 时间: 2007-4-2 13:00
第一章 入则孝
Chapter 1 On Being Filial at Home
Chapter 1 At Home, Be Dutiful to My Parents
父母呼。应勿缓。
When your mother or father is calling,
Do not be slow to respond.
When my parents call me,
I will answer them right away.
父母命。行勿懒。
When your parents tell you to do something,
Do not be lazy or sulky.
When they ask me to do something,
I will do it quickly.
父母教。须敬听。
When your parents need to instruct you,
You should listen with patient respect.
When my parents instruct you,
I will listen respectfully.
父母责。须顺承。
Whenever your parents must scold you,
Accept it with faithful compliance.
When my parents reproach me,
I will obey and accept their scolding. I will try hard to change and improve myself, to start anew.
冬则温。夏则凊。
In the winter, make sure they are warm.
In the summer, make sure they are cool.
In the winter, I will keep my parents warm;
in the summer, I will keep your parents cool.
晨则省。昏则定。
In the morning, cheerfully greet them.
In the evening, tell them “Good night.”
I will always greet my parents in the morning to show them that I care.
At night I will always make sure my parents rest well.
出必告。反必面。
If you plan to go out, tell your parents.
Report to them when you get back.
Before going out, I must tell my parents where I are going, for parents are always concerned about their children.
After returning home, I must go and see my parents to let them know I am back, so they do not worry about me.
居有常。业无变。
Settle down in one certain place.
Do not switch from one job to another.
I will maintain a permanent place to stay and lead a routine life.
I will persist in whatever I do and will not change my aspirations at will.作者: jenniferchina 时间: 2007-4-2 13:01
事虽小。勿擅为。
No matter how small the affair,
Do not act just as you please.
A matter might be trivial, but if it is wrong to do it or unfair to the other person,
I must not do it thinking it will bear little or no consequence.
苟擅为。子道亏。
For if you act just as you please,
Then you have not performed as you should.
If I do,
I am not being a dutiful child because my parents would not want to see me doing things that are irrational or illegal.
物虽小。勿私藏。
Although a thing may be small,
Do not save it just for yourself.
Even though an object might be small,
I will not keep it a secret from my parents.
苟私藏。亲心伤。
For if you hoard things for yourself,
Your parents’ hearts will be grieved.
If I do,
I will hurt my parents’ feelings.
亲所好。力为具。
Whatever your parents like best,
You should provide for them soon.
If whatever pleases my parents is fair and reasonable,
I will try my best to attain it for them.
亲所恶。谨为去。
Whatever your parents dislike,
You should do your best to remove.
If something displeases my parents, if within reason
I will cautiously keep it away from them.
身有伤。贻亲忧。
If you carelessly injure your body,
Your parents will worry and fret.
When my body is hurt,
My parents will be worried.
德有伤。贻亲羞。
If you heedlessly damage your virtue,
You bring shame and disgrace to your parents,
If my virtues are compromised,
my parents will feel ashamed.
亲爱我。孝何难。
When your parents are loving and kind,
Of course it’s not hard to be filial.
When I have loving parents,
it is not difficult to be dutiful to them.
亲憎我。孝方贤。
being a person
The true test of
Comes when parents are ful and cruel.
hate
But if I can be dutiful to parents who hate me,
only then will I meet the standards of the saints and sages for being a dutiful child.
亲有过。谏使更。
If your recognize faults in your parents,
Exhort them to change for the better.
When my parents do wrong,
I will urge them to change.
怡吾色。柔吾声。
Speak to them kindly and gently
With a pleasant smile on your face.
I will do it with a kind facial expression
and a warm gentle voice.
谏不入。悦复谏。
If they cannot accept your advice,
Wait for an opportune time.
If they do not accept my advice,
I will wait until they are in a happier mood before I attempt to dissuade them again,
号泣随。挞无怨。
You may even use tears to exhort them,
But don’t resent it if you are punished.
followed by crying, if necessary, to make them understand.
If they end up whipping me I will not hold a grudge against them.作者: jenniferchina 时间: 2007-4-2 13:01
亲有疾。药先尝。
When your parents are ill, call the doctor,
Be sure the prescrīption is right.
When my parents are ill,
I will taste the medicine first before giving it to them.
昼夜侍。不离床。
Wait on them day after day,
At their bedside by day and by night.
I will take care of them night and day and
stay by their bedside.
丧三年。常悲咽。
For three years after their death,
Remember them always in sorrow.
During the first three years of mourning after my parents have passed away,
I will remember them with gratitude and feel sad often for not being able to repay them for their kindness in raising me.
居处变。酒肉绝。
During this period of mourning,
Don’t drink wine or eat meat.
During this period I will arrange my home to reflect my grief and sorrow.
I will also avoid festivities and indulgence in food and alcoholic drinks.
丧尽礼。祭尽诚。
Take care of their funeral arrangements,
Make offerings on their behalf.
I will observe proper etiquette in arranging my parents’ funerals.
I will hold the memorial ceremony and commemorate my parents’ anniversaries with utmost sincerity.
事死者。如事生。
Reverently cherish their memory
As if they were still in the world.
I will serve my departed parents
as if they were still alive.
________________________________________
第二章 出则悌
Chapter 2 On Practicing True Brotherhood
Chapter 2 Standards for Brothers At Home or Away from Home
兄道友。弟道恭。
When the older children are friendly
And the younger children respectful,
If I am the older sibling, I will befriend the younger ones.
If I am the younger sibling, I will respect and love the older ones.
兄弟睦。孝在中。
Then brothers and sisters won’t fight,
And it’s clear they know how to be filial.
Only when I can maintain harmonious relationships with my siblings
am I being dutiful to my parents.
财物轻。怨何生。
Don’t think of wealth as important,
Or else you will feel resentful.
When I value my familial ties more than property and belongings,
no resentment will come between me and my siblings.
言语忍。忿自泯。
When talking to others, be patient,
Then you won’t be troubled by anger.
When I am careful with words and hold back hurtful comments,
my feelings of anger naturally die out.
或饮食。或坐走。
When people are eating or drinking,
Sitting down or taking a walk,
Whether you are drinking, eating,
walking, or sitting,
长者先。幼者后。
Let those who are older go first.
The young ones should follow behind.
I will let the elders go first;
the younger ones should follow.
长呼人。即代叫。
If an elder is looking for someone,
You should run the errand instead.
When an elder is asking for someone,
I will get that person for him right away.
人不在。己即到。
If the person you seek can’t be found,
Hurry back and report what you’ve learned.
If I cannot find that person,
I will immediately report back, and put myself at the elder’s service instead.作者: jenniferchina 时间: 2007-4-2 13:02
称尊长。勿呼名。
In speaking to those who are older,
Use the proper terms of respect.
When I address an elder,
I should not call him by his given name. This is in accord with ancient Chinese etiquette.
对尊长。勿见能。
When you are facing teachers and elders,
Don’t show off or try to look smart.
In front of an elder,
I will never show off.
路遇长。疾趋揖。
If you meet an elder while walking,
Greet him or her with respect.
If I meet an elder I know on the street,
I will promptly clasp my hands and greet him with a bow.
长无言。退恭立。
If the elder does not address you,
Respectfully stand to one side.
If he does not speak to me,
I will step back and respectfully stand aside.
骑下马。乘下车。
If an elder’s walking and you’re riding,
Stop and ask if he’s traveling far.
Should I be riding on a horse and spot an elder I know walking, I will dismount and pay respect to the elder.
If I am riding in a carriage, I will stop, get out of the carriage, and ask if I can give the elder a ride.
过犹待。百步余。
Respectfully wait till he’s passed you
Before you continue on in your car.
If I meet an elder passing by, I will stand aside and wait respectfully.
I will not leave until the elder disappears from my sight.
长者立。幼勿坐。
When an elder person is standing,
The young ones should not take a seat,
When an elder is standing,
I will not sit.
长者坐。命乃坐。
But wait till the elder is seated,
And sit down when you are told.
After an elder sits down,
I sit only when I am told to do so.
尊长前。声要低。
Speak softly in front of your elders,
In a low voice that pleases the ear.
Before an elder,
I will peak softly.
低不闻。却非宜。
But you are wrong if you’re speaking
So softly that no one can hear.
But if my voice is too low and hard to hear,
it is not appropriate.
进必趋。退必迟。
Greet your elders promptly,
And take your leave slowly.
When meeting an elder, I will walk briskly towards him;
when leaving, I will not exit in haste.
问起对。视勿移。
Answer questions respectfully,
And don’t let your eyes dart around.
When answering a question,
I will look at the person who is asking me the question.
as if they are my own siblings.作者: jenniferchina 时间: 2007-4-2 13:03
第三章 谨（On Being Careful）
Chapter 3 Be Cautious in My Daily Life
朝起早。夜眠迟。
In the morning it’s best to rise early.At night you should go to bed late.
I will get up each morning before my parents;
at night, I will go to bed only after my parents have gone to sleep.
老易至。惜此时。
Cherish the time that is left you. Don’t expect that old age will wait.
When I realize that time is passing me by and cannot be turned back, and that I am getting older year by year,
I will especially treasure the present moment.
晨必盥。兼漱口。
In the morning, first wash your face, And next brush your teeth very well.
When I get up in the morning, I will wash my face
and brush my teeth.
便溺回。辄净手。
After you go to the toilet, Use water and soap on your hands.
After using the toilet,
I will wash my hands.
冠必正。纽必结。袜与履。俱紧切。
You should put on your hat withcare,And fasten your buttons and snaps.
Then pull up your socks very neatly,And fasten your shoelaces as well.
I must wear my hat straight,
and make sure the hooks of my clothes are tied.
袜与履。俱紧切。置冠服。有定位。
Then pull up your socks very neatly,And fasten your shoelaces as well.
Your hat and other clothes，Should be put in their own special places.
My socks and shoes
should also be worn neatly and correctly.
置冠服。有定位。勿乱顿。致污秽。
Your hat and other clothes，Should be put in their own special places.
Do not leave them just lying around,Or they’re sure to get wrinkled and soiled.
I will always place my hat and clothes away
in their proper places.
勿乱顿。致污秽。
Do not leave them just lying around,Or they’re sure to get wrinkled and soiled.
I will not carelessly throw my clothes around,
for that will get them dirty.
衣贵洁。不贵华。
Your clothing should always be neat.
If it’s not new and stylish, don’t worry.
It is more important that my clothes are clean,
rather than how extravagant they are.
上循分。下称家。
What you wear should make common sense.
Don’t spend too much money on clothes.
I will wear only what is suitable for my station.
At home, I will wear clothes according to my family traditions and customs.
对饮食。勿拣择。
Do not fuss and complain about tastes
When you are given something to eat.
When it comes to eating and drinking,
I will not pick and choose my food.作者: jenniferchina 时间: 2007-4-2 13:04
食适可。勿过则。
Eat enough so that you are full,
But do not eat more than you need.
I will only eat the right amount;
I will not over-eat.
年方少。勿饮酒。
During the time when you are young,
Don’t drink liquor or take harmful drugs.
I am still young,
I must not drink alcohol.
饮酒醉。最为丑。
To get drunk is disgraceful and ugly.
Taking drugs brings you nothing but shame.
When I am drunk,
my behavīor will turn ugly.
步从容。立端正。
Your walk should be easy and graceful.
When you stand, keep your back tall and straight.
I will always walk composed, with light and even steps.
I will always stand up straight and tall.
揖深圆。拜恭敬。
Your half bows should be deep and full,
And your full bows made with respect.
My bows will always be deep, with hands held in front and arms rounded.
I will always pay my respect with reverence.
勿践阈。勿跛倚。勿箕踞。勿摇髀。
Watch your step as you enter a doorway. Stand up straight and don’t lean against the wall.
Do not sit sprawled all over the floor. Or wriggle and squirm when you walk.
I will not step on doorsills
or stand leaning on one leg.
勿箕踞。勿摇髀。
Do not sit sprawled all over the floor. Or wriggle and squirm when you walk.
I will not sit with my legs apart or sprawled out.
I will not rock the lower part of my body while standing or sitting down.
缓揭帘。勿有声。
When closing a door best be careful,
Do it slowly without too much noise.
I will always lift the curtain slowly,
and quietly.
宽转弯。勿触棱。
Whenever crossing a room,
Don’t bump into the table and chairs.
I must leave myself ample space when I turn
so I will not bump into a corner.
执虚器。如执盈。入虚室。如有人。
You should carry an empty container, Just as carefully as one that is full.
And enter a room that is empty, As you would if a crowd were inside.
I will hold empty containers carefully
as if they were full.
入虚室。如有人。
And enter a room that is empty, As you would if a crowd were inside.
I will enter empty rooms
as if they were occupied.
事勿忙。忙多错。
There is no need to be in a hurry.
If you rush you will make a mistake.
I will avoid doing things in a hurry,
as doing things in haste will lead to many mistakes.
勿畏难。勿轻略。
Don’t be afraid of what’s hard,
And don’t be careless with what is easy.
I should not be afraid of difficult tasks,
and I will not become careless when a job is too easy.
斗闹场。绝勿近。
Never go to rowdy places,
Or places where people are fighting.
I will keep away from rowdy places.
邪僻事。绝勿问。
When something is low and improper
It’s not worth your talk or your questions.
I will not ask about things that are abnormal or unusual.
将入门。问孰存。
When you’re going to enter a room,
First knock to make sure it’s permitted.
When I am about to enter a main entrance,
I must first ask if someone is inside.
将上堂。声必扬。
When joining a gathering of people,
Let them all know you’ve arrived.
Before entering a room,
I must first make myself heard, so that those inside know someone is approaching.
人问谁。对以名。
If someone should ask who you are,
You should answer by giving your name.
If someone asks who I am,
I must give my name.作者: jenniferchina 时间: 2007-4-2 13:04
吾与我。不分明。
If you respond, “It is me,”
You ’re not giving a proper reply.
To answer ‘It is me’ or ‘Me’
is not sufficient.
用人物。须明求。
If you use someone else’s belongings,
Be sure that you ask for permission.
Before borrowing things from others,
I must ask for permission.
倘不问。即为偷。
If you don’t get the owner’s permission,
Then stealing is what you have done.
If I do not ask,
it is stealing.
借人物。及时还。后有急。借不难。
If you must borrow something from another, Make sure you return it on time.
If someone asks you for something, Loan it to them as soon as you can.
When borrowing things from others,
I will return them promptly.
后有急。借不难。
If someone asks you for something, Loan it to them as soon as you can.
Later, if I have an urgent need,
I will not have a problem borrowing from them again.作者: jenniferchina 时间: 2007-4-2 13:04
第四章 信
Chapter 4 On Being Honest
Chapter 4 Be Trustworthy
凡出言。信为先。
Whatever it is that you say,
You should speak so that you can be trusted.
When I speak,
honesty is important.
诈与妄。奚可焉。
Tell the truth so others can believe you.
To lie is against human nature.
Deceitful words and lies
must not be tolerated.
话说多。不如少。
To talk just a little is better
Than to chatter non-stop all day long.
Rather than talking too much,
it is better to speak less.
惟其是。勿佞巧。
Talk only about what you’re sure of;
Avoid cunning or flowery words.
I will speak only the truth,
I will not twist the facts.
奸巧语。秽污词。
Don’t use words to be mean and cruel,
Or speak about things that are coarse.
Cunning words,
foul language, and
市井气。切戒之。
Let your language be pure and correct.
Stay away from all that’s unworthy.
philistine habits
must be avoided at all costs.
见未真。勿轻言。
If you haven’t seen something quite clearly,
Don’t speak of it as if you know.
What I have not seen with my own eyes,
I will not readily tell to others.
知未的。勿轻传。
If you’re not sure about what exactly happened,
Don’t spread rumors around.
What I do not know for sure,
I will not easily pass on to others.
事非宜。勿轻诺。
When you know something is wrong,
Do not simply follow along.
If I am asked to do something that is inappropriate or bad,
I must not agree to do it.
茍轻诺。进退错。
If you just go along with the crowd,
You’re bound to make a mistake.
If I do, I will be doubly wrong.
凡道字。重且舒。
When you speak, say the words clearly;
Distinctly and smoothly they flow.
I must speak
clearly and to the point.
勿急疾。勿模糊。
If you talk too fast, no one will heed you;
The same if you mumble too low.
I must not talk too fast
or mumble.
彼说长。此说短。
Some like to talk about good points,
Others like to find faults, big and small.
Some like to talk about the good points of others,
while some like to talk about the faults of others.
不关己。莫闲管。
If something is none of your business,
Simply pay no attention at all.
If it is none of my business,
I will not get involved.作者: jenniferchina 时间: 2007-4-2 13:05
见人善。即思齐。纵去远。以渐跻。
When you see the good points of others, You should strive to imitate them.
Though you don’t match up to them now. Persevere and one day you’ll catch up.
When I see others do good deeds,
I must think about following their example.
纵去远。以渐跻。
Though you don’t match up to them now. Persevere and one day you’ll catch up.
Even though my own achievements are still far behind those of others,
I am getting closer.
见人恶。即内省。
When you notice bad habits in others,
Reflect on your own shortcomings.
When I see others do wrong,
I must immediately reflect upon myself.
有则改。无加警。
If you have the same faults, correct them.
If not, never let them arise.
If I have made the same mistake, I will correct it.
If not, I will take extra care to not make the same mistake.
唯德学。唯才艺。
If your virtue, learning and talents
Don’t measure up to others,
When my morals, conduct, knowledge,
and skills
不如人。当自砺。
Then spur yourself to work harder.
Accept nothing less than your best.
seem not as good as those of others,
I will encourage myself to be better.
若衣服。若饮食。
If your wardrobe is seldom in fashion
And your home is simple and plain,
If the clothes I wear,
and the food I eat and drink
不如人。勿生戚。
While your friends have the newest and finest,
Don’t be upset and never complain.
are not as good as that of others,
I should not be concerned.
闻过怒。闻誉乐。
If you’re angry when told of your faults,
And happy when praise comes your way,
If criticism makes me angry and
compliments make me happy,
损友来。益友却。
Harmful friends will draw near you,
And wholesome friends will stay away.
bad company will come my way and
good friends will shy away.
闻誉恐。闻过欣。
If compliments make you uneasy
And hearing your faults makes you glad,
If I am uneasy about compliments and
appreciative of criticism,
直谅士。渐相亲。
Forgiving and straightforward friends
Will then gradually come to your side.
then sincere, understanding, and virtuous people
will gradually come close to me.
无心非。名为错。
When an error is not made on purpose,
It is simply called a mistake.
If any mistake I make is inadvertent,
it is merely a mistake.
有心非。名为恶。
But to deliberately do something wrong,
Is not a mistake, but an evil.
If it is done on purpose, however,
it is an evil act.
过能改。归于无。
If you can reform your offenses,
Your faults will all disappear.
If I correct my mistake and do not repeat it,
I no longer own the mistake.
倘掩饰。增一辜。
But trying to cover them over
Makes your offenses more severe.
If I try to cover it up,
I will be doubly wrong.作者: jenniferchina 时间: 2007-4-2 13:05
第五章 泛爱众
Chapter 5 On Cherishing All Living Beings
Chapter 5 Love All Equally
凡是人。皆须爱。
For all creatures throughout the world,
One should cherish a kind regard.
Human beings, regardless of nationality, race, or religion
- everyone - should be loved equally.
天同覆。地同载。
The sky covers all of us equally.
The earth supports all humankind.
We are all sheltered by the same sky and
we all live on the same planet Earth.
行高者。名自高。
People whose conduct is fine
Are sure to have good reputations.
A person of high ideals and morals
is highly respected.
人所重。非貌高。
Good conduct is what we respect;
Fine looks cannot bring people honor.
What people value
is not based on outside appearance.
才大者。望自大。
People who have great ability
Thereby enjoy great prestige.
A person’s outstanding ability
will naturally endow him with a good reputation.
人所服。非言大。
Others will follow their lead,
But great talkers don’t earn much respect.
Admiration from others does not come from
boasting or praising oneself.
己有能。勿自私。
The abilities you yourself have
Should not be used to attain selfish goals.
If I am a very capable person,
I should use my capabilities for the benefit of others.
人所能。勿轻訾。
The abilities others may have
Should not be belittled and scorned.
Other people’s competence
should not be slandered.
勿谄富。勿骄贫。
It’s not right to flatter the rich
Or be arrogant towards the poor.
I will not flatter the rich,
or despise the poor.
勿厌故。勿喜新。
What’s old need not be rejected.
What’s new is not necessarily good.
I will not ignore old friends,
only taking delight in new ones.
人不闲。勿事搅。
If you see a person who’s busy,
Leave him alone until he’s free.
When a person is busy,
I will not bother him with matters.
人不安。勿话扰。
If you see that a person is upset,
Don’t annoy him with idle chatter.
When a person’s mind is not at ease,
I will not bother him with words.
人有短。切莫揭。
Although you may know someone’s faults,
There’s no need to tell everyone.
If a person has a shortcoming,
I will not expose it.
人有私。切莫说。
The personal business of others
Should not be the subject of talk.
If a person has a secret,
I will not tell others.
道人善。即是善。
Praising the virtue of others
Is itself a virtuous deed.
Praising the goodness of others
is a good deed in itself.
人知之。愈思勉。
When people hear they’ve been praised,
They will want to improve even more.
When people are being praised and approved of,
they will be encouraged to try even harder.
扬人恶。即是恶。
There is never anything good
In talking of others’shortcomings.
Spreading rumors about the wrongdoings of others
is a wrongdoing in itself.
疾之甚。祸且作。
If they hear, they will surely resent it;
They will see you mean nothing but trouble.
When the harm done has reached the extreme,
misfortunes will surely follow.
善相劝。德皆建。
We should urge each other towards goodness
And develop our virtue together.
When I encourage another to do good,
both of our virtues are built up.
过不规。道两亏。
If our faults are not corrected,
We will surely stray from the Way.
If I do not tell another of his faults,
we are both wrong.作者: jenniferchina 时间: 2007-4-2 13:06
凡取与。贵分晓。
The amount you give and you get
Should always be clearly distinguished.
Whether I take or give,
I need to know the difference between the two.
与宜多。取宜少。
Make sure that your giving surpasses
The amount that you receive.
It is better to give more
and take less.
将加人。先问己。
Before you begin to blame others,
First you should question yourself:
What I ask others to do,
I must first ask myself if I would be willing to do.
己不欲。即速已。
“Would I want to be scolded and blamed?”
If not, then don’t do it to someone else.
If it is not something I would be willing to do,
I will not ask others to do it.
恩欲报。怨欲忘。
Kindness must be returned.
Let enmity just fade away.
I must repay the kindness of others and
let go of my resentments.
报怨短。报恩长。
Grudges are better forgotten;
Make kindness increase day by day.
I will spend less time holding grudges and
more time paying back the kindness of others.
待婢仆。身贵端。
Treat your employees with fairness.
Be proper and just with each one.
When I am directing maids and servants,
I will act honorably and properly.
虽贵端。慈而宽。
And not only proper and just—
You should also be kind and forgiving.
I will also treat them kindly and generously.
势服人，心不然。
If you try to rule others by force,
You will never win over their hearts.
If I use my influence to make them submissive,
their hearts will not be with you.
理服人，方无言。
If you lead them with virtue and reason,
Then they won’t feel oppressed and apart.
If I can convince them with sound reasoning,
they will have nothing to object to.
________________________________________
第六章 亲仁
Chapter 6 On Drawing Near to Goodhearted People
Chapter 6 Be Close to and Learn from People of Virtue and Compassion
同是人。类不齐。
Many different kinds of people
All live on the earth together.
We are all human,
but we are not the same.
流俗众。仁者希。
There are many who follow the crowd.
There are few who are truly humane.
Most of us are ordinary;
only a very few have great virtues and high moral principles.
果仁者。人多畏。
Yet those who are truly humane
Are often feared by other people,
A truly virtuous person
is greatly respected by others.
言不讳。色不媚。
For they don’t hide behind words
Or try to please with their looks.
He will not be afraid to speak the truth and
he will not fawn on others.
能亲仁。无限好。
To follow the truly humane
Will bring immeasurable good.
If I can be close to and learn from people of great virtue and compassion,
I will benefit immensely.
德日进。过日少。
Virtue will grow day by day;
Mistakes will slowly fade away.
My virtues will grow daily and
my wrongdoings will lessen day by day.
不亲仁。无限害。
Not to follow the truly humane
Will bring immeasurable harm,
If I choose not to be close to and learn from people of great virtue,
I will suffer a great loss.
小人进。百事坏。
Unworthy people will draw near you,
And everything will go awry.
People without virtue will get close to me and
nothing I attempt will succeed.作者: jenniferchina 时间: 2007-4-2 13:06
第七章 余力学文
Chapter 7 On Studying Whenever We Can
Chapter 7 After All the Above Are Accomplished, Study Further and Learn Literature and Art to Improve Your Cultural and Spiritual Life
不力行。但学文。
Cultural refinements have value,
But not at the expense of real work.
If I do not actively practice what I have learned,
but continue to study on the surface,
长浮华。成何人。
If you’re just superficially polished,
Then what can you expect to become?
even though my knowledge is increasing, it is only superficial.
What kind of person will I be?
但力行。不学文。
But if you do nothing but work
And have no understanding of culture,
If I do apply my knowledge diligently,
but stop studying,
任己见。昧理真。
You will be bound by your own narrow views,
And your notions of truth will be murky.
I will only do things based on my own opinion, thinking it is correct.
In fact, what I know is not the truth.
读书法。有三到。
When you’re pursuing your studies,
On the “three places” focus attention:
There are methods to study correctly.
They involve concentration in three areas:
心眼口。信皆要。
Your mind, your eyes and your mouth.
It’s important to train all these three.
my mind, my eyes, and my mouth.
To believe in what I read is equally important.
方读此。勿慕彼。
When you’ve taken up study of something,
Don’t let yourself become sidetracked.
When I begin to read a book,
I will not think about another.
此未终。彼勿起。
Be sure that you’ve finished one project
Before starting off on another.
If I have not completed the book,
I will not start another.
宽为限。紧用功。
Let your goals be lofty and broad.
Let your efforts be focused and steady.
I will give myself lots of time to study,
and I will study hard.
工夫到。滞塞通。
Once you have skill and experience,
You’ll solve every problem with ease.
If I devote enough time and effort,
I will thoroughly understand.
心有疑。随札记。
When a question comes up in your reading,
Make note of it before you forget.
If I have a question,
I will make a note of it.
就人问。求确义。
Then ask someone else who will know,
And who can explain the meaning.
I will ask the person who has the knowledge
for the right answer.
房室清。墙壁净。
Your room should be kept neat and tidy,
With walls and floors uncluttered and clean.
I will keep my room neat,
my walls uncluttered and clean,
几案洁。笔砚正。
Your desk should be kept in good order,
Pencils, paper, and pens well arranged.
my desk tidy and
my brush and inkstone properly placed.
墨磨偏。心不端。
If your desk and papers are messy,
It is likely your mind’s mixed up too.
If my ink block is ground unevenly,
it shows I have a poor state of mind.
字不敬。心先病。
If your writing is sloppy and careless,
It’s likely your mind is not focused.
When words are written carelessly, showing no respect,
this shows my state of mind has not been well.
列典籍。有定处。
Each of the books that you use
Should have its proper place on the shelf.
My books should be classified, placed on the bookshelves,
and in their proper places.
读看毕，还原处。
After you’ve finished your reading,
Put them back in the place they belong.
After I finish reading a book,
I will put it back where it belongs.
虽有急。卷束齐。
Although you may be in a hurry,
You should close your books the right way.
Even if I am in a hurry,
I still must neatly roll up and bind the open bamboo scroll I have been reading.
有缺坏。就补之。
If the pages or covers are damaged,
Be sure to take time to repair them.
Any missing or damaged pages
ought to be immediately repaired.
非圣书。屏勿视。
What hasn’t been written by sages
Is not something you should be reading.
If it is not a book on the teachings of the saints and sages,
it should be discarded and not even looked at.
蔽聪明。坏心志。
Such books block your intelligence
And undermine your resolve.
Such books can block my intelligence and wisdom, and
will undermine my aspirations and sense of direction.
勿自暴。勿自弃。
Don’t ever look down on yourself
Or fail to progress toward goodness.
Neither be harsh on myself,
nor give up on myself.
圣与贤。可驯致。
We all can gradually learn
To become worthies and sages.
To be a person of high ideals, moral standards and virtue
is something we can all attain in time.作者: jenniferchina 时间: 2007-4-2 13:09 标题: 整体下载 整体下载，见附件。
