依据《论语》精神而作：首孝悌，次谨信，泛爱众，而亲仁；有余力，则学文。This complete bilingual scroll preserves all canonical couplets line-by-line for study and on-chain archiving.
Download PDF (coming soon)总叙 · Preface
弟子规 圣人训
Standards for students — teachings of the sages.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Standards for students — teachings of the sages.
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
首孝弟 次谨信
First, be filial and fraternal; next, be careful and trustworthy.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: First, be filial and fraternal; next, be careful and trustworthy.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
泛爱众 而亲仁
Love all broadly and draw close to the benevolent.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Love all broadly and draw close to the benevolent.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
有余力 则学文
With strength remaining, study the classics and literature.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: With strength remaining, study the classics and literature.
Practice: Set a daily study slot (15–25 min), read aloud, and note one takeaway.
入则孝 · Filial Piety at Home
父母呼 应勿缓
When parents call, answer without delay.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: When parents call, answer without delay.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
父母命 行勿懒
When parents instruct, act without laziness.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: When parents instruct, act without laziness.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
父母教 须敬听
When they teach, listen respectfully.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: When they teach, listen respectfully.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
父母责 须顺承
When they correct, accept with compliance.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: When they correct, accept with compliance.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
冬则温 夏则凊
Keep them warm in winter and cool in summer.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Keep them warm in winter and cool in summer.
Practice: Go outside and notice nature: seasons, directions, rivers, stars—connect learning to the world.
晨则省 昏则定
Attend to them in the morning and settle them at night.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Attend to them in the morning and settle them at night.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
出必告 反必面
Inform them when you go out; greet them face-to-face when you return.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Inform them when you go out; greet them face-to-face when you return.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
居有常 业无变
Keep regular habits; do not change your proper work.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Keep regular habits; do not change your proper work.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
事虽小 勿擅为
Though a matter is small, do not act on your own.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Though a matter is small, do not act on your own.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
苟擅为 子道亏
If you do so, you fail in the way of a child.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If you do so, you fail in the way of a child.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
物虽小 勿私藏
Though an item is small, do not keep it secretly.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Though an item is small, do not keep it secretly.
Practice: Ask before using others’ things and return them the same day.
苟私藏 亲心伤
If you do, you hurt your parents’ hearts.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If you do, you hurt your parents’ hearts.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
亲所好 力为具
Provide diligently what your parents like.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Provide diligently what your parents like.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
亲所恶 谨为去
Remove carefully what your parents dislike.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Remove carefully what your parents dislike.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
身有伤 贻亲忧
If your body is harmed, you cause your parents worry.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If your body is harmed, you cause your parents worry.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
德有伤 贻亲羞
If your virtue is harmed, you bring your parents shame.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If your virtue is harmed, you bring your parents shame.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
亲爱我 孝何难
If parents love me, filial piety is easy.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If parents love me, filial piety is easy.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
亲憎我 孝方贤
If parents dislike me, being filial is truly virtuous.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If parents dislike me, being filial is truly virtuous.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
亲有过 谏使更
If parents err, remonstrate to help them change.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If parents err, remonstrate to help them change.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
怡吾色 柔吾声
Do so with a pleasant expression and gentle voice.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do so with a pleasant expression and gentle voice.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
谏不入 悦复谏
If counsel is not accepted, wait and advise again.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If counsel is not accepted, wait and advise again.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
号泣随 挞无怨
Even with tears and beating, bear no resentment.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Even with tears and beating, bear no resentment.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
亲有疾 药先尝
If parents are ill, taste the medicine first.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If parents are ill, taste the medicine first.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
昼夜侍 不离床
Attend by day and night, not leaving the bedside.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Attend by day and night, not leaving the bedside.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
丧三年 常悲咽
During three years’ mourning, remain sorrowful.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: During three years’ mourning, remain sorrowful.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
居处变 酒肉绝
Change your dwelling and abstain from wine and meat.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Change your dwelling and abstain from wine and meat.
Practice: Eat just enough, don’t be picky, and avoid alcohol.
丧尽礼 祭尽诚
Fulfill mourning rites and sacrifice with sincerity.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Fulfill mourning rites and sacrifice with sincerity.
Practice: Stand straight, bow respectfully, and speak in a calm tone.
事死者 如事生
Serve the departed as if they were alive.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Serve the departed as if they were alive.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
出则弟 · Fraternal Duty & Respect Outside
兄道友 弟道恭
Elder brothers should be friendly; younger brothers respectful.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Elder brothers should be friendly; younger brothers respectful.
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
兄弟睦 孝在中
Harmony among siblings is itself filial piety.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Harmony among siblings is itself filial piety.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
财物轻 怨何生
Hold property lightly; how can resentment arise?
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Hold property lightly; how can resentment arise?
Practice: Ask before using others’ things and return them the same day.
言语忍 忿自泯
Endure in speech; anger will fade.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Endure in speech; anger will fade.
Practice: Speak less but true: think first, avoid gossip, and keep promises.
或饮食 或坐走
Whether eating, sitting, or walking,
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Whether eating, sitting, or walking,
Practice: Eat just enough, don’t be picky, and avoid alcohol.
长者先 幼者后
Let elders go first; the young go after.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Let elders go first; the young go after.
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
长呼人 即代叫
If elders call someone, call on their behalf.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If elders call someone, call on their behalf.
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
人不在 己即到
If the person is absent, go yourself.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If the person is absent, go yourself.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
称尊长 勿呼名
When addressing elders, do not call by given name.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: When addressing elders, do not call by given name.
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
对尊长 勿见能
Before elders, do not show off your ability.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Before elders, do not show off your ability.
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
路遇长 疾趋揖
On meeting elders on the road, hasten and bow.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: On meeting elders on the road, hasten and bow.
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
长无言 退恭立
If they do not speak, withdraw and stand respectfully.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If they do not speak, withdraw and stand respectfully.
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
骑下马 乘下车
Dismount from horse or carriage before elders.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Dismount from horse or carriage before elders.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
过犹待 百步余
When passing by, wait even a hundred steps away.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: When passing by, wait even a hundred steps away.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
长者立 幼勿坐
If elders stand, the young should not sit.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If elders stand, the young should not sit.
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
长者坐 命乃坐
Sit only when elders invite you to sit.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Sit only when elders invite you to sit.
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
尊长前 声要低
Before elders, keep your voice low.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Before elders, keep your voice low.
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
低不闻 却非宜
Yet too low to hear is also improper.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Yet too low to hear is also improper.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
进必趋 退必迟
When approaching, quicken your step; when leaving, do so slowly.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: When approaching, quicken your step; when leaving, do so slowly.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
问起对 视勿移
When asked, rise to answer; do not avert your gaze.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: When asked, rise to answer; do not avert your gaze.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
事诸父 如事父
Serve paternal uncles as father.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Serve paternal uncles as father.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
事诸兄 如事兄
Serve elder cousins/brothers as elder brothers.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Serve elder cousins/brothers as elder brothers.
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
谨 · Cautious Conduct
朝起早 夜眠迟
Rise early; retire with purpose.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Rise early; retire with purpose.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
老易至 惜此时
Old age comes easily; cherish your time.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Old age comes easily; cherish your time.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
晨必盥 兼漱口
Wash in the morning and rinse your mouth.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Wash in the morning and rinse your mouth.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
便溺回 辄净手
After using the toilet, always wash hands.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: After using the toilet, always wash hands.
Practice: Keep clothes neat, hands washed, and study space tidy.
冠必正 纽必结
Cap straight, buttons fastened.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Cap straight, buttons fastened.
Practice: Keep clothes neat, hands washed, and study space tidy.
袜与履 俱紧切
Socks and shoes fitted and secure.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Socks and shoes fitted and secure.
Practice: Ask before using others’ things and return them the same day.
置冠服 有定位
Place clothes and cap in fixed positions.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Place clothes and cap in fixed positions.
Practice: Keep clothes neat, hands washed, and study space tidy.
勿乱顿 致污秽
Do not toss them about and make them dirty.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do not toss them about and make them dirty.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
衣贵洁 不贵华
Value cleanliness over extravagance.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Value cleanliness over extravagance.
Practice: Keep clothes neat, hands washed, and study space tidy.
上循分 下称家
Act within your means, fitting your family.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Act within your means, fitting your family.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
对饮食 勿拣择
At meals be undemanding; do not be picky.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: At meals be undemanding; do not be picky.
Practice: Eat just enough, don’t be picky, and avoid alcohol.
食适可 勿过则
Eat to sufficiency; avoid excess.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Eat to sufficiency; avoid excess.
Practice: Eat just enough, don’t be picky, and avoid alcohol.
年方少 勿饮酒
In youth, do not drink alcohol.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: In youth, do not drink alcohol.
Practice: Eat just enough, don’t be picky, and avoid alcohol.
饮酒醉 最为丑
Drunkenness is most disgraceful.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Drunkenness is most disgraceful.
Practice: Eat just enough, don’t be picky, and avoid alcohol.
步从容 立端正
Walk with composure; stand upright.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Walk with composure; stand upright.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
揖深圆 拜恭敬
Bows should be deep and rounded; salute with respect.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Bows should be deep and rounded; salute with respect.
Practice: Stand straight, bow respectfully, and speak in a calm tone.
勿践阈 勿跛倚
Do not tread on thresholds; do not lean or hobble.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do not tread on thresholds; do not lean or hobble.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
勿箕踞 勿摇髀
Do not sprawl with legs spread; do not shake your thighs.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do not sprawl with legs spread; do not shake your thighs.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
缓揭帘 勿有声
Lift curtains slowly and silently.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Lift curtains slowly and silently.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
宽转弯 勿触棱
Turn corners with space; avoid hitting edges.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Turn corners with space; avoid hitting edges.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
执虚器 如执盈
Hold empty vessels as if full.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Hold empty vessels as if full.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
入虚室 如有人
Enter empty rooms as if someone were there.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Enter empty rooms as if someone were there.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
事勿忙 忙多错
Do not act in haste; haste breeds mistakes.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do not act in haste; haste breeds mistakes.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
勿畏难 勿轻略
Do not fear difficulty; do not treat things lightly.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do not fear difficulty; do not treat things lightly.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
斗闹场 绝勿近
Avoid brawls and places of disorder.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Avoid brawls and places of disorder.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
邪僻事 绝勿问
Do not inquire into deviant matters.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do not inquire into deviant matters.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
将入门 问孰存
Before entering, ask who is present.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Before entering, ask who is present.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
将上堂 声必扬
Before entering the hall, raise your voice to announce.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Before entering the hall, raise your voice to announce.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
人问谁 对以名
If asked who you are, answer with your name.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If asked who you are, answer with your name.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
吾与我 不分明
‘I’ and ‘me’—do not be unclear.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: ‘I’ and ‘me’—do not be unclear.
Practice: Ask before using others’ things and return them the same day.
用人物 须明求
When using others’ things, clearly ask first.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: When using others’ things, clearly ask first.
Practice: Ask before using others’ things and return them the same day.
倘不问 即为偷
If you do not ask, it is stealing.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If you do not ask, it is stealing.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
借人物 及时还
Return borrowed items promptly.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Return borrowed items promptly.
Practice: Ask before using others’ things and return them the same day.
后有急 借不难
Then when urgent later, borrowing is not hard.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Then when urgent later, borrowing is not hard.
Practice: Ask before using others’ things and return them the same day.
信 · Trustworthiness
凡出言 信为先
In all speech, let trust come first.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: In all speech, let trust come first.
Practice: Speak less but true: think first, avoid gossip, and keep promises.
诈与妄 奚可焉
Deceit and falsehood—how can they be?
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Deceit and falsehood—how can they be?
Practice: Ask before using others’ things and return them the same day.
话说多 不如少
Better few words than many.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Better few words than many.
Practice: Speak less but true: think first, avoid gossip, and keep promises.
惟其是 勿佞巧
Speak only what is right; avoid flattery or craftiness.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Speak only what is right; avoid flattery or craftiness.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
奸巧语 秽污词
Cunning words and foul language—
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Cunning words and foul language—
Practice: Speak less but true: think first, avoid gossip, and keep promises.
市井气 切戒之
Vulgar street tone—strictly avoid.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Vulgar street tone—strictly avoid.
Practice: Do one focused session today (timer on, phone away) and reflect for one minute after.
见未真 勿轻言
What you have not seen true—do not speak lightly.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: What you have not seen true—do not speak lightly.
Practice: Speak less but true: think first, avoid gossip, and keep promises.
知未的 勿轻传
What you do not know for sure—do not spread lightly.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: What you do not know for sure—do not spread lightly.
Practice: Speak less but true: think first, avoid gossip, and keep promises.
事非宜 勿轻诺
If a matter is improper, do not promise lightly.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If a matter is improper, do not promise lightly.
Practice: Speak less but true: think first, avoid gossip, and keep promises.
苟轻诺 进退错
If you do, you will err in advance and retreat.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If you do, you will err in advance and retreat.
Practice: Speak less but true: think first, avoid gossip, and keep promises.
凡道字 重且舒
When speaking, be weighty and measured.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: When speaking, be weighty and measured.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
勿急疾 勿模糊
Do not be hasty or vague.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do not be hasty or vague.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
彼说长 此说短
Praising one, belittling another—
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Praising one, belittling another—
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
不关己 莫闲管
If it does not concern you, do not meddle.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If it does not concern you, do not meddle.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
见人善 即思齐
Seeing others’ goodness, think to equal it.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Seeing others’ goodness, think to equal it.
Practice: Praise others’ good, hide their faults, and choose kind friends.
纵去远 以渐跻
Even if far from it, approach gradually.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Even if far from it, approach gradually.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
见人恶 即内省
Seeing others’ faults, examine yourself.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Seeing others’ faults, examine yourself.
Practice: Praise others’ good, hide their faults, and choose kind friends.
有则改 无加警
If you have them, correct; if not, be more alert.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If you have them, correct; if not, be more alert.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
唯德学 唯才艺
In virtue, learning, talent, and skill—
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: In virtue, learning, talent, and skill—
Practice: Set a daily study slot (15–25 min), read aloud, and note one takeaway.
不如人 当自砺
If inferior to others, you must sharpen yourself.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If inferior to others, you must sharpen yourself.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
若衣服 若饮食
As for clothing and food—
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: As for clothing and food—
Practice: Keep clothes neat, hands washed, and study space tidy.
不如人 勿生戚
If not as good as others, do not be sad.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If not as good as others, do not be sad.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
闻过怒 闻誉乐
Angry at criticism, pleased by praise—
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Angry at criticism, pleased by praise—
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
损友来 益友却
Such harms attract bad friends and repel good ones.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Such harms attract bad friends and repel good ones.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
闻誉恐 闻过欣
Be wary of praise and glad to hear faults.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Be wary of praise and glad to hear faults.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
直谅士 渐相亲
Then upright, honest people will draw near.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Then upright, honest people will draw near.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
无心非 名为错
Faults without intent are called mistakes.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Faults without intent are called mistakes.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
有心非 名为恶
Faults with intent are called evil.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Faults with intent are called evil.
Practice: Praise others’ good, hide their faults, and choose kind friends.
过能改 归于无
If you can correct faults, they return to nothing.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If you can correct faults, they return to nothing.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
倘掩饰 增一辜
If you cover them up, you add another guilt.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If you cover them up, you add another guilt.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
泛爱众 · Universal Love
凡是人 皆须爱
All people should be loved.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: All people should be loved.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
天同覆 地同载
Heaven covers us alike; Earth bears us alike.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Heaven covers us alike; Earth bears us alike.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
行高者 名自高
Those of high conduct have high repute.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Those of high conduct have high repute.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
人所重 非貌高
What people esteem is not lofty looks.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: What people esteem is not lofty looks.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
才大者 望自大
Those of great talent have great expectations.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Those of great talent have great expectations.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
人所服 非言大
What people admire is not big talk.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: What people admire is not big talk.
Practice: Speak less but true: think first, avoid gossip, and keep promises.
己有能 勿自私
If you have ability, do not be selfish.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If you have ability, do not be selfish.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
人所能 勿轻訾
Do not belittle what others can do.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do not belittle what others can do.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
勿谄富 勿骄贫
Do not fawn on the rich or be proud in poverty.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do not fawn on the rich or be proud in poverty.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
勿厌故 勿喜新
Do not despise the old or only like the new.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do not despise the old or only like the new.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
人不闲 勿事搅
If people are busy, do not disturb them.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If people are busy, do not disturb them.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
人不安 勿话扰
If people are ill at ease, do not trouble them with talk.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If people are ill at ease, do not trouble them with talk.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
人有短 切莫揭
Do not expose others’ shortcomings.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do not expose others’ shortcomings.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
人有私 切莫说
Do not divulge others’ privacy.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do not divulge others’ privacy.
Practice: Speak less but true: think first, avoid gossip, and keep promises.
道人善 即是善
Speaking of others’ good is itself good.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Speaking of others’ good is itself good.
Practice: Praise others’ good, hide their faults, and choose kind friends.
人知之 愈思勉
When others know it, they will be more encouraged.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: When others know it, they will be more encouraged.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
扬人恶 即是恶
Proclaiming others’ evil is itself evil.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Proclaiming others’ evil is itself evil.
Practice: Praise others’ good, hide their faults, and choose kind friends.
疾之甚 祸且作
If extreme in this, disaster will follow.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If extreme in this, disaster will follow.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
善相劝 德皆建
Urging each other to goodness builds virtue for both.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Urging each other to goodness builds virtue for both.
Practice: Praise others’ good, hide their faults, and choose kind friends.
过不规 道两亏
Not correcting faults harms both parties.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Not correcting faults harms both parties.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
凡取与 贵分晓
In taking and giving, clarity matters.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: In taking and giving, clarity matters.
Practice: Ask before using others’ things and return them the same day.
与宜多 取宜少
Give more; take less.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Give more; take less.
Practice: Ask before using others’ things and return them the same day.
将加人 先问己
Before imposing on others, ask yourself first.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Before imposing on others, ask yourself first.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
己不欲 即速已
If you would not want it, stop at once.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If you would not want it, stop at once.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
恩欲报 怨欲忘
Repay kindness; forget resentment.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Repay kindness; forget resentment.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
报怨短 报恩长
Repaying resentment is brief; repaying kindness is long.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Repaying resentment is brief; repaying kindness is long.
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
待婢仆 身贵端
Treat servants with dignity and uprightness.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Treat servants with dignity and uprightness.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
虽贵端 慈而宽
Be kind and lenient even when dignified.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Be kind and lenient even when dignified.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
势服人 心不然
Power forces obedience, but not the heart.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Power forces obedience, but not the heart.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
理服人 方无言
Reason convinces and leaves no words unsaid.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Reason convinces and leaves no words unsaid.
Practice: Speak less but true: think first, avoid gossip, and keep promises.
亲仁 · Draw Near to the Virtuous
同是人 类不齐
Though all are people, dispositions are not the same.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Though all are people, dispositions are not the same.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
流俗众 仁者希
Common customs are many; the benevolent are few.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Common customs are many; the benevolent are few.
Practice: Praise others’ good, hide their faults, and choose kind friends.
果仁者 人多畏
Truly benevolent people are often revered.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Truly benevolent people are often revered.
Practice: Praise others’ good, hide their faults, and choose kind friends.
言不讳 色不媚
They do not mince words nor flatter in looks.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: They do not mince words nor flatter in looks.
Practice: Speak less but true: think first, avoid gossip, and keep promises.
能亲仁 无限好
Keeping close to the benevolent brings endless good.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Keeping close to the benevolent brings endless good.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
德日进 过日少
Virtue increases daily; faults decrease daily.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Virtue increases daily; faults decrease daily.
Practice: Praise others’ good, hide their faults, and choose kind friends.
不亲仁 无限害
Failing to be close to them brings endless harm.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Failing to be close to them brings endless harm.
Practice: At home, respond promptly, help with small chores, and check in morning/evening.
小人进 百事坏
The petty advance, and a hundred things go wrong.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: The petty advance, and a hundred things go wrong.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
余力学文 · Study With Remaining Energy
不力行 但学文
If you do not practice but only study words—
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If you do not practice but only study words—
Practice: Set a daily study slot (15–25 min), read aloud, and note one takeaway.
长浮华 成何人
You become long on show and shallow—what kind of person is that?
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: You become long on show and shallow—what kind of person is that?
Practice: Practice yielding in small things, listen first, and let elders go first.
但力行 不学文
If you only practice but do not study—
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If you only practice but do not study—
Practice: Set a daily study slot (15–25 min), read aloud, and note one takeaway.
任己见 昧理真
You follow your own views and miss true principles.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: You follow your own views and miss true principles.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
读书法 有三到
The method of reading has three arrivals—
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: The method of reading has three arrivals—
Practice: Set a daily study slot (15–25 min), read aloud, and note one takeaway.
心眼口 信皆要
Heart, eyes, and mouth: all must be sincere.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Heart, eyes, and mouth: all must be sincere.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
方读此 勿慕彼
While reading this, do not yearn for that.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: While reading this, do not yearn for that.
Practice: Set a daily study slot (15–25 min), read aloud, and note one takeaway.
此未终 彼勿起
Before finishing this, do not start another.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Before finishing this, do not start another.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
宽为限 紧用功
Set broad limits; apply effort tightly.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Set broad limits; apply effort tightly.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
工夫到 滞塞通
With sufficient effort, blockages will clear.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: With sufficient effort, blockages will clear.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
心有疑 随札记
If doubts arise, note them down.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If doubts arise, note them down.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
就人问 求确义
Ask others to seek the exact meaning.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Ask others to seek the exact meaning.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
房室清 墙壁净
Keep rooms clean and walls tidy.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Keep rooms clean and walls tidy.
Practice: Keep clothes neat, hands washed, and study space tidy.
几案洁 笔砚正
Desks clean; brush and inkstone set straight.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Desks clean; brush and inkstone set straight.
Practice: Keep clothes neat, hands washed, and study space tidy.
墨磨偏 心不端
If grinding ink askew, the mind is not upright.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If grinding ink askew, the mind is not upright.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
字不敬 心先病
If characters lack respect, the heart is already ill.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If characters lack respect, the heart is already ill.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
列典籍 有定处
Place books in fixed positions.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Place books in fixed positions.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
读看毕 还原处
After reading, return them to their places.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: After reading, return them to their places.
Practice: Ask before using others’ things and return them the same day.
虽有急 卷束齐
Even in haste, roll and bind them neatly.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Even in haste, roll and bind them neatly.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
有缺坏 就补之
If damaged, repair them.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: If damaged, repair them.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
非圣书 屏勿视
Non-classic harmful books—avoid looking at them.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Non-classic harmful books—avoid looking at them.
Practice: Set a daily study slot (15–25 min), read aloud, and note one takeaway.
蔽聪明 坏心志
They obscure wisdom and harm the will.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: They obscure wisdom and harm the will.
Practice: Look up a short story from this era and retell it in your own words.
勿自暴 勿自弃
Do not despise or abandon yourself.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Do not despise or abandon yourself.
Practice: Summarize the line in your own words and choose one tiny action to live it today.
圣与贤 可驯致
Sages and worthies can be gradually attained.
🎓 Commentary
Meaning: Sages and worthies can be gradually attained.
Practice: Ask before using others’ things and return them the same day.
Public domain text; bilingual rendering by ToadAid (faithful & concise for study). Version: 1.0.