Di Zi Gui 弟子規 Rules for children-- Two English translations

in this post I will present two nineteenth century English translations of the the book called 

弟子規

CR: Rules for Sons and Younger Brothers 

H: Rules of behaviour for children 

https://www.google.com/books/edition/%E5%BC%9F%E5%AD%90%E8%A6%8F/PzZqH5F7hPwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%E5%BC%9F%E5%AD%90%E8%A6%8F&pg=PP1&printsec=frontcover 

This book is one of the more popular primers that is still in circulation today. aside from teaching children the language, it also teaches them tradtional standards of conduct. The language of this text is simple; tit is written in rhyming verse, each line being 3 characters long

1) Anonymous (possibly John Ross?)  from the China Review (CR) 1878, no 6 https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_China_Review_Or_Notes_and_Queries_on/zh5BAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA404&printsec=frontcover  

The translation also includes this colophon in the original. it is reproduced below. 

Printed by subscription at the Tũng Shen Tang 同善堂 or Co-operative Goodness Hall, and the blocks kept at the blockoutter's shop in Arbutus Street in Kiang Chau in the province of Shansi, 1865.

NOTE.-The names of sixteen persons are added, whose total subscriptions fur the blocks of this book amount to 144 strings of cash.

2) By Issac Taylor Headland, in rhyming verse https://www.google.com/books/edition/Chinese_Recorder_and_Missionary_Journal/QdAWAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%E5%BC%9F%E5%AD%90%E8%A6%8F%20translation&pg=PA368&printsec=frontcover 

Both Headland and the China review translation omit the lines 便溺回，輒淨手 which refer to washing your hands after defecation and urination. This might be due to 19th century standards of decorum

 

I have taken the Chinese text from https://www.amtb.tw/pdf/dzgjs.pdf . This particular edition divides the text into 8 headings, which do not exatcly correspond to the headings in both translators. as such I have supplied my own translations for the headings in angle brackets 

There are two modern translations that are worth noting 

3) by  Feng Xin-ming from https://tsoidug.org/dizigui_trans_comp.php (Chinese and English, with vernacular chinese paraphrase)

4) from Pure Land Learning College Assn., Inc. (PL) http://www.amtb.tw/pdf/hz32-05.pdf 

This version is not a translation from the original Dizigui, but rather is a translation of the vernacular chinese paraphrase of the text. For example the following line 

出必告，反必面；居有常，業無變。

is rendered thus:

Before going out, I must tell my parents where I am 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. 

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.

There is nothing about "parents are always concerned..." in the original text, but there is such an explanation in a Chinese vernacular paraphrase of the text, which the above four lines do translate: 

出門前我應該先稟告父母，讓他們知道我會去那裡，因為父母時刻都在為子女們操心。 

回家後，我應 該先拜見父母，讓他們知道我已回來了，好讓父母安心。 

居住的地方要固定，生活要有規律， 

做事要有恆心，不要隨意更改自己的志向。

弟子規

CR: Rules for Sons and Younger Brothers 

H: Rules of behaviour for children 

1. 總敘 <general preface> 

弟子規，聖人訓，首孝弟，次謹信，

CR: Heads and arrangements of the rules

Rules for sons and younger brothers

Have been taught well by holy men;

These must rank above all others,

And then comes faith and due respect

H: Preface:

Rules of behaviour for brothers and sons,

Teachings of ancient and vrituous ones;

First you be filial and brotherly then, 

Try to be faithful and earnest as men. 

汎愛眾，而親仁，有餘力，則學文。

CRLove all alike with  one regard,

And daily grow in huamane work;

Whatever strength then still remains,

To learn and write may well be given 

H: Love in each heart for all people should spring,

Specially to the benevolent cling; 

Strength if you've left, be it small be it great,

Spend it in study, both early and late. 

2. 入則孝 <Filial Piety> 

父母呼，應勿緩。父母命，行勿懶。

CR: Rules for filial duty at home and fraternal love abroad 

When father or mother call you,

Answer them quick without delay;

When father or mother bid you,

 Go at once; show no repugnance,

H: Filial affection.

Whenever the summons of parents you hear, 

Answer at once, do not tardy appear;

Whenever the mandates of parents you know,

Heed them at once, never lazily go. 

父母教，須敬聽。父母責，須順承。

CR When father or mother teach you; 

With reverence hear their wise advice,

When they condemn your wicked ways,

Then mildly take their warning words.

H: To every instruction of parents you need

To respectively listen, with deference heed;

Parental reproofs, if they ever should come,

Kindly receive, and with lips that are dumb. 

冬則溫，夏則凊；晨則省，昏則定。

CR:  In the Winter see that they're warm,

And in summer see they're cool.

In the morning wake them early, 

In the evening watch them closely;

H: Warm well their couch in the cold winter days,

Fan theur couch cool from the sun's scorching rays,

Greet them and serve them whene'er you arise, 

See to their wants before closing your eyes. 

出必告，反必面；居有常，業無變。

CR:Tell them where and when you're going,

And see their faces when you've come back.

 Let abode be still the same  

And change not soon your calling 

H: Tell them your errand when leaving your home;

Returning announce it as soon as you come. 

 Every young man should have definite work; 

This he should neither abandon nor shirk 

事雖小，勿擅為；茍擅為，子道虧。

CR:Even in small and slight affairs,

Act not against their well known wish;

For if you act with self-conceit,

A son's true path will soon be missed.

H: Always in e'en the most trifling affiair, 

He the parental opinion should share;

Once by neglecting with them to consult,

Failure in duty will be the result. 

物雖小，勿私藏；茍私藏，親心傷。

CR:Even the least or trifling thing,

Ne'er put it by for selfish use;

For if you hide it thus away,

Sore wounds and hurt your heart will get. 

H: From parents at home the most trivial toy, 

Conceal not for personal use to employ;

If aught you from personal use should conceal,

Sore wounded the hearts of your parents will feel.

親所好，力為具，親所惡，謹為去；

CR:When relatives live in accord, 

Their strength is never wasted; 

When kith and kin hate one another 

Mutual respect gets quite estranged.

H: Whatever your parents delight to possess,

Strive to obtain, be it food, be it dress ;

Whatever your parents regard with displeasure,

To remove from their presence, employ every measure.

身有傷，貽親憂，德有傷，貽親羞。

CR:If my body be sore wounded, 

The sympathy of friends is stirred;

But a good name once widely lost,

Makes all my kindred blush for shame.

H: If ever you injure your body, be sure,

Sorrow your parents will have to endure ;

If ever you sully your virtue , your blame

Will redden the cheeks of your parents with shame.

親愛我，孝何難；親憎我，孝方賢。

CR:If my relations love me well,

Where's the hardship in their service?

But if they take a causeless grudge,

Then my duty must surpass it 

H: When parents bestow upon children their love,

To be filial to such very easy will prove,

But those who from parents receive only hate,

And still remain filial, their virtue is great

親有過，諫使更；怡吾色，柔吾聲。

CR:If they transgress in any way,

Admonish them to mend their course;

Still be placid in your manner,

And your voice be soft and gentle

H: If faults in your parents by chance you should see,

Reprove them and help them to virtuous be;

Reprove with the love- lighted face of a child,

Reprove with a voice that is gentle and mild.

諫不入，悅復諫；號泣隨，撻無怨。

CR:If loving words find no response,

Cheerfully you'll once more tell them,

And cry and weep to move them still.

Nor harbor anger at their blows.

H: Reproof that is slighted may give your heart pain,

But joyfully, kindly, reprove them again ;

Follow with tear-streaming eyes and reprove them,

Murmur not though they should beat you, but love them.

親有疾，藥先嘗；晝夜侍，不離床。

CR:When your parents lie sick and weak, 

First taste the potion which they take;

Day and night wait patient by them, 

Nor leave their couch one hour alone.

H: Should your parents by illness be ever laid low,

First taste of their potion, its safety to know ;

By day and by night your best services give,

And stay by their bedside as long as they live.

喪三年，常悲咽；居處變，酒肉絕。 

CR:Mourn for them each the three full years,

With constant sob and sorrow.

In a dwelling quite by yourself,

All wine and flesh discarding;

H: Mourn for three years from the time they are dead,

Let them be bitter the tears that you shed ;

Of meat you should neither partake, nor of wine,

To dwell in poor quarters should be your design.

喪盡禮，祭盡誠； 事死者，如事生。

CR:When all the mourning rites are done,

And proper offerings all presented,

Then serve the dead who've gone before, 

As if each one were living still. 

H: Perform ceremonial rites every year ;

Each sacrifice offered should prove you sincere;

In a word, the dead parents of you who survive,

You should serve with the fervor you served when alive.

3. 出則弟 <brotherly affection> 

兄道友，弟道恭，兄弟睦，孝在中。

CR:An elder brother's friendly way

Will make his younger show respect;

Harmony uniting brothers,

Proves filial love to be yet strong;

H: Brotherly kindness 

The duty of elder to younger is love,

Of younger to elder respect all approve ;

Fraternal agreement they cannot neglect,

For wrapped up within it is filial respect. 

財物輕，怨何生；言語忍，忿自泯。 

CR:If each deem his wealth as trifling,

Where's the room for rancorous envy?

If their words be mild and patient, 

Strife will vanish without notice.

H: Possessions they neither should greedily prize ;

Then how could such feelings as hatred arise ?

If each in his language should gently forbear,

Then anger self - conquered must vanish in air.

或飲食，或坐走，長者先，幼者後。

CR:Whene'er you're called to eat and drink, 

Or else to sit or walk are bid, 

A senior ever has the front, 

A junior always walks behind ;

H: When brothers are drinking, or when at their meat,

When brothers are seated, or walk on the street,

The elder should always the younger precede,

The younger should follow, -thus men have decreed.

長呼人，即代叫；人不在，己即到。

CR:If he cry out for one to come, 

Then for him make his call be heard;

If yet the man be not at hand, 

Then come yourself to get his word.

H: If the elder should summon a person by word,

The younger should hasten to make the call heard ;

In failing to find him, your duty is plain,

From taking his place not a moment refrain.

稱尊長，勿呼名；對尊長，勿見能。

CR:When calling to the high or low, 

Do not speak out their given names;

When answering to a group of such, 

Let not your parts be vainly shown;

H: Respectfulness 

Wen who are older, whenever addressed,

Never their name, but their title is best ;

When you talk with those older, whatever you feel ,

Your talents with diligence strive to conceal,

路遇長，疾趨揖，長無言，退恭立。

CR:When you meet an elder coming, 

Quickly come near to make your bow ;

If he should not give you a word, 

Courteously stand aside and wait;

H: In walking, whenever those older you meet,

Approach with abow, and with reverence greet ;

If it be not his wish to express his respect,

Retreat and respectfully stand up erect.

騎下馬，乘下車，過猶待，百步餘。

CR:Before him from your horse get down,

And leave your cart for him to pass;

Wait for him till he's gone his way,

 A hundred steps or more behind.

H: When riding or driving, you always descend

From your horse or your cart, when you meet with a friend,

Nor mount till your friend has passed by, Ishould say,

Ahundred, or more than that , steps on his way

長者立，幼勿坐；長者坐，命乃坐。

CR:If a senior choose to stand, 

Let not his junior think to sit;

If afterwards he take his seat, 

Wait his commands to do so too.

H: When those older are standing it never is fit ,

Whether indoors or out, that a young man should sit ;

When an old man is sitting, a young man should stand,

And wait to be seated till he shall command.

尊長前，聲要低；低不聞，卻非宜。

CR:In presence of an elder's face

Let your voice be low and quiet;

But so low as hard to be heard, 

Is still a breach of etiquette.

H: Whenever grown people are present, a child

Should speak with a voice that is gentle and mild,

Not too low for the elder to hear what you say ;

No advantage arises from speaking that way.

進必趨，退必遲；問起對，視勿移。

CR:When approaching haste your steps, 

When retiring stay your guit.

Rise up when answering a question, 

And wriggle not when looking.

H: Approach him with haste, then all will admire,

Withdrawing, you always should slowly retire ;

When answering questions, politely arise,

Nor move from one side to another your eyes.

事諸父，如事父；事諸兄，如事兄。

CR:In your service to your father, 

Remember both relations;

In your service to your brother, 

Forget not he's still the senior.

H: From service of uncles, you never should swerve,

But serve them the same as your parents you serve,

And cousins who chance to be older than you,

You should do to them just as to brothers you do.

4.謹 <Decorum> 

朝起早，夜眠遲，老易至，惜此時。

CR:Rules for Decorum and Faith.

At the dawn get up in season, 

And at even sleep not early;

For old age will soon be on you, 

And wasted hours will then cause sighs.

H: Diligence .

Awake in the morning, arise with the sun,

Retire late at night when your lessons are done,

Remember that age will come easily on,

Utilize youth for ' twill quickly be gone.

晨必盥，兼漱口，便溺回，輒淨手。

CR:In the morning wash the body, 

Rinsing clean the mouth and teeth ;

<After defecating and urinating,

You must wash your hands>   (these 2 lines are omitted, translated by me. ) 

H: Wash in the morning your hands and your face,

Rinse well your mouth, or ' twill be a disgrace ;

... ... ... 

... ... ...

冠必正，紐必結，襪與履，俱緊切。

CR:Let your cap be straight and tidy, 

And the buttons never dangling;

The stockings and the shoes as well, 

Should both be neat and in good style;

H: Your hat should be straight, and not worn on the side,

Your clothing be buttoned, not left gaping wide .

Your shoes and your stockings should both be on right ;

Make sure they are neat , and make sure they are tight ;

置冠服，有定位，勿亂頓，致污穢。

CR:In putting on the cap and robe, 

There is that marks the gentleman, 

Do not bow so quick and awkward, 

That your dress shall get begrimed ;

H: In order your hat and your clothing to trace,

Assign to each one a particular place.

If thrown in confusion they'll quickly be soiled ,

And all of your clothing will surely be spoiled ;

衣貴潔，不貴華，上循分，下稱家。

CR:Neatness 'tis that marks the costume,

A gaudy robe confers no praise.

Respect the rank of those above, 

And look in love on those below;

H: In cleanliness beauty of clothing consists,

But beauty in gorgeousness never exists ;

Yourself and surroundings should harmony show,

Beyond your resources you never should go.

對飲食，勿揀擇，食適可，勿過則。

CR:When with your friends at social meals, 

Don't choose out this and that good bit,

But take what's put in front of you, 

And ne'er transgress good manners.

H: When eating or drinking, of this have a care,

Do no picking and choosing, wherever you are ;

If good be the food, do not make matters bad,

By saying that other much better you've had.

年方少，勿飲酒，飲酒醉，最為醜。

CR:When yet remaining young in years, 

Drink not a drop of liquor;

For otherwise you'll soon be drunk,

And quickly get disgusting.

H: In youth or young manhood, wherever you dine,

Let this be your motto, I'll never drink wine ;

If once you are drunken, you lose your good name,

And how loathsome it is, and how great is your shame !

步從容，立端正，揖深圓，拜恭敬。

CR:Walk with grace and true decorum,

Stand erect with sober mien, 

kneel in proper form and order

And salute with reverent air.

H: When walking, walk straight, do not swaggering go,

When you stand, stand erect, that you handsome may grow ;

Let your bow be profound to the persons you meet,

And greet with respect whomsoever you greet.

勿踐閾，勿跛倚，勿箕踞，勿搖髀。

CR:In entering tread not on the threshold, 

And never roll or lean away;

Never squat upon your haunches, 

Nor wriggle with your hips and legs.

H: Stand not on a doorstep, stand inside or out ,

Lean not against aught that by chance is about ,

Do not sit like a dust-pan, your legs spreading wide,

Nor back and forth move them from this to that side.

緩揭簾，勿有聲；寬轉彎，勿觸棱。

CR:Gently raise the door-screen mat, 

And scream not when within a room;

Beware how you turn the corner, 

And do not run against a beam, 

H: Raise slowly the screen when you enter a room,

That clatter may never announce you have come ;

Inturning a corner in wide circle move,

To bump 'gainst the corner will awkwardness prove.

執虛器，如執盈；入虛室，如有人。

CR:Carry or hold an empty cup, 

As carefully as if 'twas filled ;

Enter a vacant house or room

As still as if 'twas occupied.

H: When you bear empty vessels, be careful to go,

So that empty or full, people never can know.

When you enter a room, you should act on the minute,

As though many people already were in it ;

事勿忙，忙多錯；勿畏難，勿輕略。

CR:Do your work without a flurry, 

Lest on yourself you bring mistakes;

Don't be afraid of taking pains, 

Nor slight the work you've set about;

H: Perform duties slowly and cultivate taste,

For a homely old proverb says : " Haste maketh waste."

Never fear your work arduous, show yourself true,

Nor look lightly on what you're expected to do.

鬥鬧場，絕勿近；邪僻事，絕勿問。

CR:To every place of strife and brawl

Most carefully avoid to come;

To all that seems both low and vile,

By no means listen to its tale.

H: A public disturbance 'tis manly to fear,

And excepting on duty, to never draw near ;

Aknowledge of vice you should never desire,

And of matters corrupt you should never inquire.

將入門，問孰存，將上堂，聲必揚。

CR:When entering a neighbour's door,

Ask whether any one is in;

When walking up towards the hall, 

Raise your voice to give a warning ;

H: Whenever you enter a house, it is clear

You should ask as you enter, " Is anyone here ? "

When to enter a house, you design, have a care,

With some kind of noise to announce you are there.

人問誰，對以名，吾與我，不分明。

CR:If people ask you who you are, 

Answer and tell your given name;

For just to say I or myself, 

Still leaves your person yet in doubt.

H: If asked " Who is there ? " to avoid any blame

You should answer the person at once with your name ;

If you answer, " Tis I, " as the vulgar oft say,

They will not understand who is coming their way.

用人物，須明求，倘不問，即為偷。

CR:Whene'er you use another's things, 

First ask them for their full consent;

For not to get this full consent, 

Is certainly just like stealing :

H; If another man's things you by chance wish to use,

You should ask for them, giving a chance to refuse ;

If you use without asking, that manner of dealing

By men is considered no better than stealing

借人物，及時還，後有急，借不難。

CR:When you borrow things of others, 

Return them when the leave is passed;

Also to those who ask of you, 

What you have then be not stingy.

H: Whenever you borrow, be sure that you learn

The thing, after using, to promptly return ;

If others to borrow of you be inclined,

If you have, you should lend, with a generous mind.

5 信 <Trustworthiness> 

凡出言，信為先，詐與妄，奚可焉。

CR: In everything you're called to speak, 

Truth must be held as paramount;

For guile and words meant to deceive, 

Cannot in any form be borne;

H: Faithfulness.

When speaking, let this be your motto, from youth-

The first of all things in importance is truth,

And words of deceit or expressions untrue

Should ne'er be reported as coming from you.

話說多，不如少，惟其是，勿佞巧。

CR:To talk and chatter overmuch, 

Is not so well as fewer words;

Whatever be the facts or truth, 

Ne'er try to gloss or trim them up.

H Let others' loquacity constantly teach

That for you it were well to be sparing of speech ;

For the truth of whate'er you report to a friend,

For proof, on your eloquence never depend.

奸巧語，穢污詞，市井氣，切戒之。

CR:Sarcastic, biting, railing talk, 

Obscene, degrading, filthy speech, 

The scum of markets and of stews,

Must first and last be all eschewed.

H: You should never insult any person 'tis plain,

Nor utterance give to expressions profane ;

' Gainst market-place habits and street-talk keep guard,

That your talk be not sullied, your manners be marred.

見未真，勿輕言，知未的，勿輕傳。

CR:Whate'er you have not clearly seen, 

Be careful how you lightly tell ;

... ... 

... ... <2 lines not translated> 

H: Where proof is deficient and evidence weak,

Of any such matters you never should speak ;

Unless you are certain your proof is exact,

You should never so much as refer to the fact.

事非宜，勿輕諾，茍輕諾，進退錯。

CR:To that which is not just nor right,

Beware lest your consent be made;

For if you lightly pass your word, — 

Doing or failing -both bring wrong.

H: Things barren of profit, which often cause harm,

You never should rashly agree to perform ;

With a rashly made promise great evils begin ;

To keep it or break it will both count as sin.

凡道字，重且舒，勿急疾，勿模糊。

CR:He who is a man of letters,

 Let him be grave and cheerful too;

No hasty or impetuous ways, 

Nor double sense within his words;

H: Whenever with others you chance to converse,

To enunciate badly, you could not do worse,

Unless you should speak in too rapid a way,

Or mumble the words you are trying to say.

彼說長，此說短，不關己，莫閒管。

CR:Now telling you that this is long, 

Then telling him that it is short;

For he who can't restrain himself,

Can never rule the lawless.

H: When you hear a man argue a thing thus and so,

And another declare an emphatical no ;

If the matter is one of no moment to you,

Not to utter a word is the best thing to do.

見人善，即思齊，縱去遠，以漸躋。

CR:Wherein you see a man who's good, 

Think how you can be like him;

Avoid all reckless devious ways, 

If you desire to reach the top.

H You should think when a virtuous person you see,

" Such virtue is possible also for me,"

And though far below him you move at the time,

By striving you yet to his level may climb.

見人惡，即內省，有則改，無加警。

CR:Whene'er you see a man who's bad, 

Examine well your own defects;

And if you then begin to mend, 

You'll need no further caution.

H: If wickedness under your vision should come,

Examine yourself lest you also have some ;

Repent if you find in your heart aught of sin,

Let your care be increased, if you find naught within.

唯德學，唯才藝，不如人，當自礪。

CR:If one has sense and knows all love, 

Gifted with skill and every art, 

He is unlike the common run— 

He'll cheer himself as on he goes, 

H: Your virtue and learning examine with care,

Your talents and skill, though they may not be rare,

If to those of your friends they inferior prove,

By putting forth strength e'en the world you may move.

若衣服，若飲食，不如人，勿生慼。

CR:Having enough to clothe himself, 

With food and water still for use, 

Unlike the common sort of men 

Envy will ne'er arise in him.

H: If your clothing and shoes are not just to your mind,

If when you examine your food, you should find

It is not quite so good as the people's around you,

Be sure you allow not such matters to wound you.

聞過怒，聞譽樂，損友來，益友卻。

CR:If angry when he's told his sins, 

And pleased to hear himself extolled,

 Such grieve the friends they ought to keep,

And gladden those who ought to go;

H: When friends mention faults, if your anger is raised,

Or should you be happy whenever you're praised,

The friends who are hurtful will gather anon,

While those who are helpful will quickly be gone.

聞譽恐，聞過欣，直諒士，漸相親。

CR:But if he fears when praise is given, 

And joys to learn and see his faults, 

All true and faithful scholars will 

Be more and more drawn close to him.

H:  When others extol you, let fear be your choice,

When others find fault, 'tis a time to rejoice ;

Then those who are upright, and scholars sincere,

Though slowly, yet surely, to you will adhere.

無心非，名為錯，有心非，名為惡。

CR:He who is careless of his faults, 

Soon blurs an honored fame or name;

But he who purposely does wrong, 

Makes it a word of scorn to all ;

H: When wrong not intended is done by mistake,

We call it a " fault" for the wrong- doer's sake,

But wrong that is done with intention is blamed,

And such by all people is " wickedness " named.

過能改，歸於無，倘揜飾，增一辜。

CR:While if he strive his ways to mend,

Erelong the path of right he'll reach :

But he who hides his sin from view, 

Thereby just makes it one grade worse.

H: The faults you repent of are nevermore seen,

But are reckoned with others which never have been ;

If ever a failing you try to conceal,

Your efforts a greater will surely reveal.

6 汎愛眾 <universal love> 

凡是人，皆須愛；天同覆，地同載。

CR: Rules for universal  Love and to adherence in Humanity

Wherever men are found to live, 

All ought by all to be beloved;

Heaven above doth cover all, 

And earth beneath supports us too.

H: Love all, especially the Benevolent.

To the people around you, below or above,

Your duty is clear, every one you should love ;

One circling heaven is over all spread,

One flowering earth produces our bread.

行高者，名自高；人所重，非貌高。

CR:He who acts from noblest motives, 

Will thereby make his name a praise.

Mankind prize high above all else 

That which shuns to exalt itself;

H:If your conduct is that of a nobleman pure,

Of fame and esteem you are certainly sure,

And honor , if honor upon you shall fall,

Will not be for outside appearance at all.

才大者，望自大；人所服，非言大。

CR:The man of talent, great and vast, 

May aim to raise himself on high;

But what mankind concedes as great,

Doth never style itself as such.

H: If your talents are brilliant, however attired,

You will always be courted, and greatly admired,

But others, to second your efforts, you'll find,

Will never, because of your talk, be inclined.

己有能，勿自私；人有能，勿輕訾。

CR:Conscious of his full attainments,

No man will hide himself away.

Whom men justly style their nobles, 

Never lightly slander others,

H: If of skill or ability you are possessed,

You should never let selfishness enter your breast ;

When ability likewise in others is praised,

A thought to defame them should never be raised.

勿諂富，勿驕貧；勿厭故，勿喜新。

CR:Never fawn and court the rich, 

Never lord it o'er the poor, 

Never weary with what's old, 

Nor like a thing because it's new.

H: With flattery never the rich seek to gain,

With pride in your heart , ne'er the poor man disdain ;

Your back never turn to old friends tried and true,

Nor rejoice beyond measure in those who are new.

人不閒，勿事攪；人不安，勿話擾。

CR:He who has no time to idle 

Will not care to stir up strife;

Or if he have his own disquiets 

Will not trouble others' things.

H: Men not at leisure, or men having cares,

You never should trouble with other affairs ;

When men are disturbed, or have other employ,

You should never by talking such persons annoy.

人有短，切莫揭；人有私，切莫說。

CR:If you know a man's shortcomings, 

Do not lightly lift thin veil;

Or if aware of secret deeds, 

Blab not thin shame in other's ears.

H: If your lot with a wrong-doer ever be cast,

Remind him not daily of that which is past ;

The personal secrets a man would conceal,

You cannot by right to another reveal .

道人善，即是善，人知之，愈思勉。

CR:To make known another's goodness, 

Is in itself a precious good ;

And when its known to all full well, 

They'll strive the more to do so too.

H: To speak of the good that in others you find,

In you is considered benignant and kind,

For when they discover you speak in their praise,

They will earnestly seek to still better their ways.

揚人惡，即是惡，疾之甚，禍且作。

CR:To bruit abroad another's sins, 

Is in itself a great misdeed;

One who's quick beyond all bounds

Induces ills of every kind.

H: To speak of the faults that in others you find,

In you is considered bad taste and unkind ;

You soon will receive and will merit their hate,

And disaster will come when alas ! ' tis too late.

善相勸，德皆建；過不規，道兩虧。

CR:When the good exhort each other, 

Their virtue grows in strength and breadth;

But if their faults are not rebuked, 

They lose the path of right and truth.

H: If to good you each other incite, nothing loth,

You soon will establish the virtue of both ;

If faults in each other you do not correct,

In the duty of each there will be a defect.

凡取與，貴分曉；與宜多，取宜少。

CR:When called upon to take or give, 

The noble mind will choose the right;

But giving ought to be the most, 

And taking ought to be the least.

H: Receiving or giving, make sure that both know

The amount you receive, the amount you bestow ;

When giving give much, is the best I should say,

When taking take little, -a very safe way.

將加人，先問己；己不欲，即速已。

CR:If you desire to help a man, 

First examine well your motive,

And if you do not relish it, 

Quickly reply you will not act.

H: What you think proper treatment for others would be,

First ask : " Would this treatment be pleasing to me ? "

If you would dislike it if done unto you,

Do not do what you would not have other men do.

恩欲報，怨欲忘；報怨短，報恩長。

CR:Requite the kindness done to you, 

But harbor not the hatred shown, 

And settle all such strifes at once,

While long let kindness be preserved.

H: You should recompense favors whenever bestowed,

And offences forgotten will lighten your load ;

If ever you punish you lightly should do it,

But recompense freely, you never will rue it .

待婢僕，身貴端，雖貴端，慈而寬。

CR:Treat the low-born maid and servant, 

With honor to yourself and them;

And while you keep the proper bound, 

Let kindness and forbearance rule.

H: Your treatment of servants, 'tis surely decreed,

Majestic should be if you wish to succeed,

But while majesty is in a master a beauty,

To be generous and kind is as truly a duty .

勢服人，心不然，理服人，方無言。

CR:Hope not to conquer men by force, 

For hearts refuse to yieid consent ;

But get their will by proving right;

No words are said;— you've won them all.

H: For if by authority men are controlled,

Their hearts you will never be able to hold ;

If their hearts you secure in a virtuous way,

They are satisfied then and have nothing to say.

7親仁 <Humaneness> 

同是人，類不齊；流俗眾，仁者希。

CR:Though all mankind are still but men, 

Their several minds are not the same, 

The vile and vulgar most abound, 

And those with tender hearts are few ;

H: All people are men, but examine their minds,

And you find there are many and different kinds ;

That the mass follow custom is painfully true,

While benevolent people are certainly few.

果仁者，人多畏；言不諱，色不媚。

CR:The earnestly humane are those

Whom others truly fear and laud.

Let not one's words be always said, 

Nor beauty scanned with amorous eye.

H: But those who benevolence follow in truth

Are respected by all , -men and women and youth ;

In the ring of their words is no recondite sound,

Their appearance seductive will never be found.

能親仁，無限好；德日進，過日少。

CR:The nearer you approach the good, 

Goodness itself will then advance;

Your virtues still will daily grow, 

And all defects decrease as fast.

H: If thus to benevolent persons you cling,

To you ' twill unnumbered advantages bring ;

Your virtues will daily increase, it is true,

And your faults will diminish as rapidly too.

不親仁，無限害；小人進，百事壞。

CR:But failing of this lofty aim,

Your woes the utmost bound will pass, 

What's bad within will soon grow strong, 

All things go wrong, and ruin come.

H: If to cling to benevolent men you refuse,

Untold will the injury be that you choose ;

Mean people will gather, encompassing you,

And spoil all the good you might otherwise do.

8 餘力學文 <Study> 

不力行，但學文，長浮華，成何人。

CR:Rules for Study and Application.

Not to act with zeal and method, 

While at study or in letters, 

Is to grow an idle loafer-

What can be hoped from such a one ?

H: Spend your Surplus Strength in Study.

If these things you neglect, as some people have done,

And spend all your time in book-study alone,

You'll become superficial, though much you may know,

And to what sort of man can you hope thus to grow.

但力行，不學文，任己見，昧理真。

CR:Having all your powers in vigor, 

And yet not to learn a letter, 

Your wayward will to never check, 

Will soon bedim your sense of right.

H: If you practice these rules and continue their use ,

But study no books, you will then be obtuse ;

You will see things from only your own point of view,

And thus subvert principles useful and true.

讀書法，有三到，心眼口，信皆要。

CR:The rules and ways to study books, 

End at last in these three methods :— 

The eyes, the mind, the ready speech, 

Are needed all in their full work, 

H: Your method of study, the poet here sings,

Should have a foundation of three little things :

The heart, eye and mouth, for each one is a link,

And all are important in study, we think.

方讀此，勿慕彼，此未終，彼勿起。

CR:While making one book all your own,

Hanker not to take another;

Until the one is finished quite, 

Let not a second be begun.

H: When you study a book let your thought be confined,

And banish all other good books from your mind,

For before you've completed the reading of one,

You should never be wishing another begun.

寬為限，緊用功，工夫到，滯塞通。

CR:Relaxation has its merit,

Diligence needs fix its limit;

When the set hour for labor comes,

Let whate'er stops it be removed.

H: Take time to complete it ; you ne'ertheless ought

To be diligent still in your study and thought,

For when to your work you with diligence go,

Each obstacle you will with ease overthrow.

心有疑，隨札記，就人問，求確義。

CR:If you suspect a thing be false, 

Record it in your notes to learn, 

And ask the point of those who know,

For so you'll reach the facts and truth.

H: If of aught in the book you should have any doubt,

Write it down: ' tis the thing to ask questions about ;

Inquire then about it again and again ,

In order its meaning to clearly obtain .

房室清，牆壁淨，几案潔，筆硯正。

CR:Let your house and rooms be tidy, 

Their walls and fences all in trim;

The stools and tables each so neat, 

Pencils and inkstones in their place;

H: Your room should be neatly and orderly kept,

The walls should be spotless, the dust from them swept ;

Your tables be clean, and of dust without traces,

Your pen and your inkstone arranged in their places.

墨磨偏，心不端；字不敬，心先病。

CR:Rub not the ink with slighting hand, 

It shows the mind is not quite clear.

If written words meet no respect,

The heart has got some malady.

H: if your ink-stick you rub in a one-sided way,

Your heart is not upright, good people will say ;

Do you lack in respect for the characters, then

Your heart is already corrupted by men.

列典籍，有定處；讀看畢，還原處。

CR:Let all your rolis, and books, and sheets, 

Each have its own peculiar place, 

And when their present use is o'er, 

Return each where it will be found;

H: In order that each of your books you may trace,

For each you should have a particular place,

And when you have finished the reading of one,

Put it back whence you took it before 'twas begun.

雖有急，卷束齊，有缺壞，就補之。

CR:Though you may hurried be at times, 

Keep straight your papers and your books.

If any get defects and harms, 

See that they soon all mended are.

H: And though you should be in a hurry, you ought

To wrap up the books just as when they were bought ;

If a torn place in one you should ever discover,

Then neatly repair it by pasting it over.

非聖書，屏勿視，蔽聰明，壞心志。

CR:Unless a book be pure and good, 

Let darkness keep it out of sight.

To hide what's excellent and bright, 

Will mar the heart's best purposes.

H: Unless ' tis a sacred or classical book

Reject it, nor ever vouchsafe it a look,

For such will intelligence only impede,

And injure the mind 'twas intended to feed.

勿自暴，勿自棄，聖與賢，可馴致。

CR:Never vaunt yourself beyond your dues, 

Nor make yourself too cheap or low;

Our teachers wise and virtuous too, 

Will clearly tell you what to do.

H : Never violate self with o'er-burdensome cares,

Nor waste noble traits upon trifling affairs ;

Then virtue like those who are holy and pure ,

You by gradual growth may expect to secure