弟 子 规
(STANDARDS FOR STUDENTS)
弟子规 圣人训 首孝悌 次谨信
These standards for students are guidelines, handed down to us by Ancient Stages.
First, obey and care for your parents, and then practice true brotherhood.
泛爱众 而亲仁 有余力 则学文
Learn to be careful and honest, and cherish all living beings.
Draw near to good-hearted people, and study whenever you can.
孝 (On Being Filial At Home)
父母呼 应勿缓 父母命 行勿懒
When mother and father are calling, answer them right away.
When they give you instructions, obey them without hesitation.
解：父母呼唤的时候，要立刻答应；父母要你做事的时候，要马上去做，不要偷懒。
父母教 须敬听 父母责 须顺承
When your parents need to instruct you, respectfully do as you’re told.
Whenever your parents must scold you, acknowledge your errors and faults.
解：父母教导的时候，要恭敬地听；父母责备的时候，要心悦诚服地接收。
冬则暖 夏则凉 晨则省 昏则定
In the winter make sure they are warm, in the summer make sure they are cool.
Each morning cheerfully greet them, at night see their rest is secure.
解：照料父母要冬暖夏凉。早上要给父母请安，晚上要照料父母安眠。
出必告 返必面 居有常 业无变
Before going out , tell your parents. Let them know when you come in.
Settle peacefully in your home, and finish what you begin.
解：每次出去回来，都要禀告父母。居住应有定所，选定了职业，立定的志向要努力去完成，不可见异思迁。
事虽小 勿擅为 苟擅为 子道亏
No matter how small the affair , don’t just do as you please.
If you act just as you please, then you’ve not been a dutiful child.
解：不要因为是小事就不禀告父母而自作主张去做，那就不合为人子女的道理了。
物虽小 勿私藏 苟私藏 亲心伤
When good things ,though small , come your way. Give your family their rightful share first.
If you hoard up the best for yourself, kinfolk’s feelings are sure to be hurt.
解：东西虽小，也不要私自隐藏，如果父母知道你隐藏一些东西，一定会很伤心。
亲所好 力为具 亲所恶 谨为去
Whatever your parents enjoy, do all you can to provide.
Whatever your parents dislike, you should earnestly cast aside.
解：凡是父母所喜欢的，一定要尽力地做到。凡是父母所不喜欢的东西，要尽力簟?
身有伤 贻亲优 德有伤 贻亲羞
Whenever you injure your body , your parents feel grief and alarm .
Whenever you damage your virtue , your family’s good name comes to harm .
解：如果我们的身体有所不适，会使父母为我们担忧，如果品德上有了缺失，会使父母没有面子。
亲爱我 孝何难 亲憎我 孝方贤
When parents have loving regard . Obeying them is not hard ,
Parents who are hateful and cruel , test the worth of one filial heart .
解：父母爱我，我孝敬父母，这并不是一件难事。如果父母不爱我，我又能孝敬父母，这才是真正的大孝。
亲有过 谏使更 怡吾色 柔吾声
When your parents do something wrong , exhort them to change for the better .
On your face a kind expression , in your voice a gentle tone .
解：如果父母有了过失，我们要劝他改过。在劝的时候一定要和颜悦色，声调柔和。
谏不入 悦复谏 号泣随 挞无怨
If they cannot accept your advice , kindly tell them again ,
Or use tears to move them with feelings . If punished , you never complain .
解：如果父母不接受子女的规劝，要反复再劝，甚至哭泣恳求，如果因此而遭父母的鞭打，也不要怨恨父母。
亲有疾 药先尝 昼夜侍 不离床
When parents are ill , call the doctor ，be sure the prescription is right .
Wait on them day after day , at their bedside by day and by night .
解：当父母大病的时候，父母所吃的药要先尝，要昼夜照料在父母的身边。
丧三年 常悲咽 居处变 酒肉绝
For three years after their passing , remember them always in sorrow .
Don’t go to parties and shows , and don’t eat meat or drink liquor .
解：父母去世，要居丧三年。在居丧期间常哀思养育之恩，居处力求简朴，不可饮酒作乐。
丧尽礼 祭尽诚 事死者 如事生
See to the funeral arrangements , honor your family ties .
Serve your departed ancestors , as you honor your kin while alive .
解：举行丧礼，要按照礼法；祭奠时要表现得诚恳。对待去世的父母要象对待在世的父母一样尽孝道。
悌 (On Practicing True Brotherhood)
兄道友 弟道恭 兄弟睦 孝在中
When all the brothers are friendly, and sisters show respect,
the harmony blessing these children, is a sign of the Filial Way.
解：作兄长的要爱护弟弟，做弟弟的要尊敬兄长。兄弟和睦，这也是对父母的一种孝道。
财物轻 怨何生 言语忍 忿自泯
If wealth is not viewed as essential, how could resentment arise?
When words are both gentle and patient, bad feeling will soon disappear.
解：把财物看得轻淡些，兄弟之间就不会相互怨恨，处处忍让、和言爱语便不会引起忿怒。
或饮食 或坐走 长者先 幼者后
When people are eating and drinking, or when it is time to sit down,
Let those who are older go first; The young ones should follow behind
解：或吃，或坐，或走，都要让长者在先，幼者应在后面。.
长人呼 即代叫 人不在 己先到
If an elder is looking for someone, you run the errand instead. If the
Person you seek can’t be found, return and offer to help in his place.
解：长者呼人时，即要代为呼叫；若所叫的人不在，自己要先代为听命。
称尊长 勿呼名 对尊长 勿现能
In speaking to those who are older, use the right term of respect.
When facing your teachers and elders, don’t show off or try to look smart.
解：称呼尊长，不可以直呼其名。在尊长面前，要谦逊，不可以表示自己很能干。
长者立 幼勿坐 长者坐 命乃坐
When an older person is standing, children should not take a seat.
But wait till the elder is seated, and then sit when you are told.
解：长者站着，幼者不可以坐，待长者坐下后，招呼幼者坐下，幼者才可以坐下。
进必趋 退必迟 问起对 视勿移
Be swift when it’s time to move forward ; go last when it’s time to return.
Stand up to answer when questioned, your gaze held steady and calm.
解：要见尊长的时候，动作要敏捷。告退时，动作要缓慢。尊长问话，要站起来回答，不可左顾右盼。
谨 （On Being Careful）
朝起早 夜眠迟 老易至 惜此时
In the morning it’s best to rise early, at night you should go to bed late.
Cherish the time that is left you, don’t expect that older age will wait.
解：清晨要尽早起床，晚上要迟些才睡；人生的岁月有限，所以每一个人都要珍惜此时此刻。
衣贵洁 不贵华 上循分 下循家
What matters with clothes is they’re clean, not whether they’re stylish or fine.
Wear what is suitable for you, accords with your status and means.
解：衣服贵于整洁，不在于华丽。穿衣服要依照自己的身份，还要和自己的家境状况相称。
对饮食 勿拣择 食适可 勿过则
Don’t get attached to good flavors, or pick out the best foods and drink.
Eat just enough to get full, and never take more than you need.
解：对食物，不要挑食，不要偏食，适可而止，不可吃得太饱。
年方少 勿饮酒 饮酒醉 最为丑
Whatever your age or position, don’t drink liquor or take harmful drugs.
Drunks are disgraceful and ugly, drugs bring you misery and shame.
解：年青人不可饮酒，一旦喝醉酒，会丑态百出。
步从容 立端正 揖深圆 拜恭敬
Your walk should be easy and graceful, stand with your back tall and straight.
Salute other people sincerely, make full bows with respect.
解：走路的时候步态从容，站立要身子端正，作揖要把身子躬下去，礼拜时要恭敬。
缓揭廉 勿有声 宽转弯 勿触棱
When you open a door, best be careful, do it gently, without too much noise.
Go wide when you’re turning a corner, don’t trip on the legs of the chairs.
解：掀开门廉时要轻，不得出声。转弯要宽，不要触到棱角。
事勿忙 忙多错 勿畏难 勿轻略
Avoid doing things in a hurry, haste leads to many mistakes.
Neither fear the difficult jobs, nor skip over simpler chores.
解：做事情不可太匆忙，匆忙最容易出差错。也不要怕困难即使是小事，也不轻易忽略。
斗闹场 绝毋近 邪僻事 绝无声
Never go near rowdy place, or where you see fight going on.
Gossip about things improper, is better not to pass on.
解：凡是打架闹事的场所，绝对要远离；发现别人做了不正经的事，绝对不要声扬。
将入门 问谁存 将上堂 声必扬
Before you step through a doorway, ask first if there’s someone inside.
Then when you enter the room, raise your voice to show you’ve arrived.
解：拜访朋友，入门前要先问某某人在不在，或进入客厅时要高声呼：“有人在吗？”
人问谁 对以名 勿与我 不分明
If someone should ask who you are, never respond, “It is me .”
Answer by giving your name, or you’ve not make a clear reply.
解：当有人问“是谁？”的时候，你应当报出自己的名字，不能说“是我”，使对方不明白。
用人物 须明求 倘不问 即为偷
Be sure that you first get permission, before using people’s possessions.
If you use it but don’t ask the owner, then stealing is what you have done.
解：要用别人的东西，必须事先向别人说。假如你不事前得到别人的允许，随便拿来，这就是偷窃了。
借人物 及时还 人借物 有勿悭
If you borrow an item from someone, make sure you return it in time.
When people ask you for something, loan it to them whenever you can.
解：借了别人的东西，要及时归还；别人来借东西，如果有，不可吝啬不借。
信 （On Being Honest）
凡出言 信为先 诈与妄 奚可焉
Honesty is most important, in choosing the words that we speak.
When was it ever permitted, to say things dishonest and false?
解：凡是开口允诺之前，要先考虑自己能不能做得到，如果没有把握做到就不必讲。不可欺骗蒙混，失信是绝对可以的。
话说多 不如少 惟其是 勿佞巧
To talk just a little is better than to chatter non-stop all day long.
Stick to the facts and speak briefly; don’t use cunning or flowery words.
解：讲话不可太多，言多必失。要讲得恰当，要实事求是，不可花言巧语。
刻薄语 秽污语 市井气 切戒之
Harsh words and vulgar expressions, cheap talk and words that are cruel,
Jargon, slang and swearing; All talk such as this we avoid.
解：尖酸刻薄的话，下流的脏话，阿谀奉承之类小市民习气都要彻底革除。
见未真 勿轻言 知未的 勿轻传
If you haven’t seen something quite clearly, don’t pretend that you know .
If you’re mot sure what actually happened, don’t spread the story around.
解：所见未真切时，不得轻易说出，所知未确实时，也不能轻易传扬出去。
事非宜 勿轻诺 苟轻诺 进退错
When you know that a matter is wrong , don’t carelessly take part .
If you just go along with the crowd , then your are certain to make a mistake.
解：不适宜的事不能轻易允诺别人，假如你不轻考虑允诺了别人，会使你进退两难。
凡道字 重且舒 勿急疾 勿模糊
When you speak , say the words clearly . distinctly and smoothly they flow .
If you talk too fast , no one will heed you . The same if you mumble too slow .
解：在讲话的时候，咬字要清楚，态度要自然，不可以讲得太快太紧张，也不可以讲得含糊不清。
彼说长 此说短 不关己 莫闲管
Some like to talk about good points, others enjoy finding faults .
If something is none of your business, simply pay no attention at all.
解：说东家长、西家短的话，与自己无关的不要去管他。
见人恶 即内省 有则改 无加警
When you notice a person’s bad habits , look for the fault in yourself .
Correct it at once if you find it , and work harder still if you don’t .
解：看见别人的恶习，要即刻自我检讨，如果发现自己也有这个毛病，就要即刻改掉，如果没有，要时刻警惕，不能染上这种恶习。
惟德学 惟才艺 不如人 当自励
If your virtue and learning and talents , don’t measure up to your friends’,
Then spur yourself on to try harder . Accept nothing less than your best .
解：如果自己品德、学问、才能、技艺不如别人，应当努力争取尽力赶上。
若衣服 若饮食 不如人 勿生戚
If your clothes are seldom in fashion, and your home is quite simple and plain ,
While your friends have the newest and finest ,don’t worry and never complain .
解：如果自己的衣服、饮食不如别人的，不要难过。
闻过怒 闻誉喜 损友来 益友却
If hearing your faults makes you angry ,if you like it when praise comes your way ;
Harmful friends will draw near you , and wholesome friends will stay away .
解：听见别人说自己的过失就发怒，而听见别人恭维自己就欢喜，这样就会招来坏朋友，而好人就离你而去。
闻誉恐 闻过欣 直谅士 渐相亲
If compliments make you uneasy , and hearing your faults makes you glad ,
Forgiving and straight forward friends , will gradually come to your side .
解：听见恭维话就感到不安，听见别人指责自己过错便欣然接受，这样良师益友渐渐地就和你亲近了。
无心非 名为错 有心非 名为恶
When an error is not made on purpose , we call it a simple mistake .
But evil is what we consider , wrong that is purposefully done .
解：如果是无意中做了坏事，这叫做错。如果是存心做坏事，这就叫作恶。
过能改 归於无 倘掩饰 增一辜
If you can reform your offenses , your faults by themselves disappear .
But trying to cover them over , make offenses more severe .
解：如果犯了过错，能够改过，就跟没有犯过错误一样。如果犯了错误而掩饰之，那就罪加一等了。
泛 爱 众 （On Cherishing All Living Beings）
凡是人 皆须爱 天同覆 地同载
For all creatures throughout the world , we should cherish a kindred regard .
The sky covers all of us equally . The earth supports all humankind .
解：不论是什么人，我们都要关怀爱护，因为我们都共同生活在这天地之间。
行高者 名自高 人所重 非貌高
People whose conduct is fine , are sure to have good reputations .
Good conduct is what we respect ; Fine looks cannot bring people honor .
解：一个品德高尚的人，名声自然高远。人们所重视的，并不是一个人的相貌。
才大者 望自大 人所服 非言大
People with outstanding talents , rightfully earn their prestige .
Achievements are what we admire ; braggarts don’t gain our respect .
解：才学丰富的人，他的名声自然会大。人们所佩服的是有真才实学的人，并非大言不惭的人。
己有能 勿自私 人有能 勿轻訾
Don’t use for selfish advantage , your own special talents and skills .
The abilities others may have , should never be envied or scorned .
解：自己有才能，就应当做些对公众有益的事，不可自私自利。别人有才能，不可心生嫉妒，轻易诽谤。
勿诌富 勿骄贫 勿厌故 勿喜新
It’s not right to flatter the rich , or act arrogant towards the poor .
Old things need not be rejected , new things are not always good .
解：不可曲意奉承富有的人，不可傲慢对待贫困的人。不要喜新厌旧。
人不闲 勿事搅 人不安 勿话搅
When you see that a person is busy , leave him alone till he’s free .
If you see that a person’s upset , don’t annoy him with idle chatter .
解：在别人忙的时候，不要去打扰他。在别人情绪不安的时候，不要去找他谈话打扰他。
人有短 切莫揭 人有私 切莫说
Although you may know someone’s faults ,there’s no need to spread them about .
The personal business of others , should not be the subject of talk .
解：不要揭他人的短处，对别人的秘密也不要宣扬出去。
道人善 即是善 人知之 愈思勉
Now praising the virtues of others ,is itself a virtuous deed .
When people hear of those good points , they will want to emulate them .
解：称赞人做好事就是做了一件好事，因为别人知道了，他会因受到勉励，更加努力。
扬人短 即是恶 疾之甚 祸且作
Talking of others shortcomings , in itself is a karmic offense .
When slander goes far beyond reason , disaster will surely result .
解：宣扬别人的短处是一种罪恶，如果宣扬得过份激烈或夸张，会惹出祸患。
善相劝 德皆建 过不规 道两亏
We develop our virtue together , by urging each other towards goodness .
If we don’t regulate our bad habits , then we all will have strayed from the path .
解：劝人行善，对双方皆有好处。如果知道别人有了过错不去劝阻，对自己和别人都好处。
凡取与 贵分晓 与宜多 取宜少
As to things that you give and you get ,their value will differ: you should be clear
Make sure the amount that you give , is more than what you receive .
解：凡所得到的和所赠予的，都要交待清楚。你自己付出的应当多些，取得的应当少些。
将加人 先问己 己不欲 即速已
Don’t simply pass on to others , a job you yourself wouldn’t do .
First ask , “Would I be willing ?” if not , let the matter stop there .
解：让别人做一件事，首先要问问自己是不是愿意做。假如自己不愿意做，你赶快不要让别人做。
恩欲报 怨欲忘 报怨短 报恩长
Kindness must be returned , let enmity just fade away .
Grudges are better forgotten , while kindness increases each day .
解：对别人的恩惠要报答，对别人的怨恨要尽快忘记；对别人的怨恨越短越好；对别人报恩要越长越好。
待婢仆 身贵端 虽贵端 慈而宽
Let the virtue of your right conduct , set the standards for your employees .
With your character proper and just , let your heart be forgiving and kind .
解：对待家里的佣人，先要自身品行端正。品行端正固然重要，对人还要仁慈宽厚。
势服人 心不然 理服人 方无言
If you try to rule others by force , you will never win over their hearts .
If you lead them with virtue and reason ,they will never have cause to complain .
解：用势力压服人，别人口服心不服。以理服人才会使人心服口服。
亲 仁 (On Drawing Near To Good-Hearted People)
同是人 类不齐 流俗众 仁者稀
We live on the earth all together , but we people are not all the same ,
There are many who follow the crowd ; yet few who are truly humane .
解：同样是人，但类别不一样，普通的俗人最多，品德高尚，仁慈宽厚的人却很少。
果仁者 人多畏 言不讳 色不媚
Yet those who are truly humane , intimidate average souls .
Because they’re direct and outspoken , and because they won’t flatter and please .
解：真正仁慈的人，大家都会敬畏他，因为他直言不讳，也不阿谀奉承。
能亲仁 无限好 德日进 过日好
To draw near to such wholesome people . Will bring on immeasurable good .
Our virtues increase day by day , our faults bit by bit disappear .
解：能亲近仁慈的人，会得到无限的好处，因为他的道德会日日增进，他的过失会一天天减少。
不亲仁 无限害 小人进 百事坏
To fail to draw near good advisors , will bring immeasurable harm ,
Unworthy people will prosper , and all sorts of bad deeds will be done .
解：不亲近仁慈的人，会得到无限的害处，因为他会受到小人的影响，什么事皆会因此而败。
学 文 (On Studying Whenever You Can)
不力行 但学文 长浮华 成何人
Being a scholar has value , if we cultivate what we have learned .
When knowledge is gained to no purpose , then what can we hope to become ?
解：如果所学的不实践力行，而只是在文字上做文章，结果会变成华而不实的人，这种人是不会成才的。
但力行 不学文 任己见 昧理真
But those who exclusively work , and know nothing of reason and truth ,
Will rely on their own narrow vision ; Their judgment will be uninformed .
解：如果只是实践力行，不读书不求真理，任凭自己的见解，会作出许多不符合道理的事来。
读书法 有三到 心眼口 信皆要
The way to success in your studies , is to focus attention on three :
Trust to your eyes , mouth , and mind .Believe these are all that you need .
解：读书的方法要做三到，心到，眼到，口到。心眼口都要信实地用到，才能产生读书的功能。
方读此 勿慕彼 此未终 彼勿起
Study one book at a time , don’t let concentration diverge .
Stick with this topic till finished , only then choose another to learn .
解：刚开始读书时，不要想到别的书还没读，一本书还未读完，不要再读另一本书。
宽为限 紧用功 工夫到 滞塞通
Budget your time for one project , and then work as hard as you can .
When your efforts come up to the mark , quite naturally you’ll understand .
解：在开始读一本书的时候，不妨把预定时间安排得长些，加紧用功，下够了工夫，不懂的自然会懂。
心有疑 随札记 就人问 求确义
When a question comes up in your reading , make notes of it while you recall .
The first chance you get , ask an expert , to settle it once and for all .
解：读书时，若有疑问，应随时作成笔记，有待请教别人，求其确切的意义。
房室清 墙壁净 几案洁 笔砚正
Keep your room tidy and neat , with the walls uncluttered and clean .
Your desk should be kept in good order : with papers and pens well arranged .
解：房间要收拾得清净，墙壁要保持干净，书桌要擦清洁，笔砚要放端正。
墨磨偏 心不端 字不敬 心先病
If your tools are scattered and dull , it’s certain your thoughts are the same .
When a mind’s lost its right concentration , poor writing reveals its state .
解：如果把墨磨偏，表示你心不在焉；字写得不工整，说明你心神散乱。
列典籍 有定处 读看毕 远原处
Each of the books that you read , should have its own place on the rack .
After you’ve finished your study . Carefully put the books back .
解：排放书籍要有固定的地方，读完要放回原处。
虽有急 卷束齐 有缺坏 就补之
Although you may be in a hurry , close up your books properly .
If you damage the cover or pages , repair the book before you leave .
解：就是有急事，也要把书整理好，书有破损的地方，要应时修补好。
非圣书 屏不视 蔽聪明 坏心志
Teachings that don’t come from sages , are words that we don’t need to read ,
These books cover over our wisdom , and undermine our resolve .
解：非圣贤之书避而不看，因为邪僻的书，会蒙蔽人的正确思想，会损坏人的意志。
勿自暴 勿自弃 圣与贤 可驯致
Don’t let your instincts control you , or waste time in idle pursuits .
Work hard and become worthy Sages . We all can harvest these fruits !
解：一个人不可以自暴自弃，如果立定志向，努力进取，一定可以成为圣人贤人。
