Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Chapter 3

蓋 此身 髮 ， 四大 五常 。 These bodies and this hair of ours; Four Great Things, Five Principles. 恭惟 鞠養 ， 豈敢 毀傷 。 Do honor to your upbringing; how dare one inflict a wound! 女慕貞 絜 ， 男效 才 良 。 Girls admire the chaste and pure; boys, the talented and good. 知過必改 ， 得 能 莫忘 。 Aware of wrong, you must then change; mind the limits of your strength. 罔 談彼短 ， 靡恃己 長 。 Refrain from talk of others' faults; don't rest upon your strengths. 信使 可覆 ， 器欲 難量 。 Words must stand the test of proof; good deeds are hard to weigh. 墨悲 絲染 ， 詩 讚 羔羊 。 Mozi wept that the silk was dyed; in the Poems the lamb was glorified. 景行 維賢 ， 克 念作 聖 。 Exalted go only the wise and good; control desire, achieve sagehood. 德建 名立 ， 形端 表正 。 Virtue built, good name made; figure upright, bearing straight. 空谷傳聲 ， 虛堂習 聽 。 The empty valleys broadly resonate; in hollow halls wisely officiate. 禍因惡積 ， 福緣 善慶 。 Calamity's caused by evil stored; blessings result as good's reward. 尺 璧 非 寶 ， 寸陰 是 競 。 A foot of jade is no treasure; an inch of time is to fight for. 資父 事君 ， 曰 嚴與敬 。 Nourish your father and serve your king; known as reverence and respect. 孝當 竭力 ， 忠則 盡命 。 Devoted to parents with all your strength; loyal to throne with your very life. 臨深履薄 ， 夙興 溫凊 。 Like facing the deep, like treading thin ice; early to rise, warm and cool. 似 蘭斯 馨 ， 如松 之盛 。 Like an orchid is this fragrance; like fresh pines, abundant, dense. 川流不息 ， 淵澄 取映 。 The river flows at endless pace; in deepest pool behold the face. 容止 若思 ， 言辭 安定 。 Stand solemly and thoughtfully; speak with calm and dignity. 篤 初誠美 ， 慎終 宜令 。 Diligence at start indeed is fine; completeness at ending, duly grand. 榮業 所基 ， 藉 甚無竟 。 Glorious works as the foundation, no limit to one's reputation. 學優 登仕 ， 攝職 從政 。 Studies superior, step up to serve; be given your duties, join government's work. 存以 甘棠 ， 去 而益 詠 。 Alive, under a sweet pear tree; gone, in song of eulogy. 樂殊 貴賤 ， 禮別 尊卑 。 Music distinct by social rank, rites according to prestige. 上和下睦 ， 夫唱婦隨 。 The higher is pleasing, the lower harmonious; the husband leads and the wife accompanies. 外受 傅訓 ， 入奉 母儀 。 Outside, as teacher said you ought; at home, the rules your mother taught! 諸姑 伯叔 ， 猶子 比兒 。 To each uncle and every aunt; as if you'd been their own infant. 孔懷兄弟 ， 同氣連枝 。 Brothers cherish each other; united in the blood they share. 交友 投分 ， 切磨 箴規 。 In friendship each must do their share; "Qie mo!" the warning to beware. 仁慈 隱惻 ， 造次 弗離 。 Kindness, mercy, sympathy; Don't leave these in emergency. 節義 廉退 ， 顛沛 匪虧 。 Righteous, just, honest, retiring; though in failure, never lacking. 性靜 情逸 ， 心動 神疲 。 Nature settled, feelings mild; heart aroused, the spirit tired. 守真志滿 ， 逐物 意移 。 Keeping pure brings satisfaction; chasing things, the mind's distraction. 堅持 雅操 ， 好爵 自縻 。 Hold fast to your high sentiments; a fine position will come from this.