Guidelines of Being a Good Person

前言

Preface

弟子規 聖人訓 首孝弟 次謹信

Di Zi Gui was written by ancient Chinese sages. It teaches us the guidelines for being a good human being. 

Firstly, it teaches us to respect and love our parents and to be kind to our siblings. 

Secondly, it teaches us how to interact with people and engage in daily tasks. It also teaches us to be a trustworthy person. 

泛愛眾 而親仁 有餘力 則學文

Furthermore, it teaches us to love all beings and to be close to kind and virtuous people. 

Having learned how to do all these, we can then expand our horizons by studying the arts. 

（一）入則孝

Respecting and Loving Our Parents at Home

父母呼 應勿緩 父母命 行勿懶

When our parents call us, we should answer them right away. When they tell us to do something, we should do it promptly. 

父母教。須敬聽。父母責。須順承。

When our parents instruct us, we should listen respectfully. When they scold us, we should sincerely accept what they say. 

冬則溫。夏則凊。晨則省。昏則定。

We should make sure that our parents are warm in winter and cool in summer. In the morning, we should greet them and show them that we care. At night, we should make sure that they are resting comfortably. 

出必告。反必面。居有常。業無變。

Before going out, we should let our parents know. When we return, we should tell them that we are back. We should lead a routine life, and we should not be constantly changing our mind in whatever we do. 

事雖小。勿擅為。茍擅為。子道虧。

Even when a matter is trivial, we should not act without permission or just do as we please. If we do so, we are no longer a dutiful child. 

物雖小。勿私藏。茍私藏。親心傷。

We should not hide any possession, no matter how small, from our parents. If we do, they will feel hurt. 

親所好。力為具。親所惡。謹為去。

When something pleases our parents [and is proper], we should try our best to provide it for them. When something displeases them, we should remove it. 

身有傷。貽親懮。德有傷。貽親羞。

If we injure ourselves, we will make our parents worry. If we do something unvirtuous, they will feel ashamed. 

親愛我。孝何難。親憎我。孝方賢。

When our parents love us, it is easy to be respectful and loving. When they do not love us, respecting and loving them means that we have a noble heart. 

親有過。諫使更。怡吾色。柔吾聲。

If our parents do something wrong, we should urge them to change. Do so with a kind expression and caring voice. 

諫不入。悅復諫。號泣隨。撻無怨。

Should our parents not accept our advice, try again when they are in a better mood. If they still do not listen, our sincere tears will show them how deeply we care. Should they get angry with us, do not hold it against them. 

親有疾。藥先嘗。晝夜侍。不離床。

When our parents are ill, we should make sure that they take the right medicine. Care for them day and night and do not leave them alone. 

喪三年。常悲咽。居處變。酒肉絕。

For three years after our parent’s passing, we should remember them in sadness. We should live simply and not adorn our home. Avoid merry-making, meat and alcohol. 

喪盡禮。祭盡誠。事死者。如事生。

We should arrange our parent’s funeral in a proper manner. We should always honour them as if they were still alive and, especially on the anniversary of their death, remember them with a sincere heart. 

（二）出則弟

Interacting with Others Away from Home

兄道友。弟道恭。兄弟睦。孝在中。

Older siblings should love and care for the younger ones; younger siblings should love and respect the older ones. Getting along well with our siblings is a sign of respecting our parents and caring that they are happy. 

財物輕。怨何生。言語忍。忿自泯。

When siblings value family ties more than possessions, resentment will not arise. When siblings are careful with their words, feelings of anger naturally dissolve.

或飲食。或坐走。長者先。幼者後。

When drinking, eating, walking or sitting, let elders do so first; younger ones follow. 

長呼人。即代叫。人不在。己即到。

When an elder is asking for someone, find that person right away. If we cannot find that person, we should immediately report back and ask if we can help instead. 

稱尊長。勿呼名。對尊長。勿見能。

When addressing elders, do not call them by their first name. When in the presence of elders, do not show off. 

路遇長。疾趨揖。長無言。退恭立。

When meeting elders whom we know, greet them promptly and respectfully. If they do not greet us in return, respectfully stand aside. 

騎下馬。乘下車。過猶待。百步餘。

If we are in a vehicle and see an elder whom we know passing by, we should get out and greet the person [if the situation safely allows]. We continue on our way only after the elder has left us. 

長者立。幼勿坐。長者坐。命乃坐。

When an elder is standing, do not sit. After an elder sits down, sit only when invited to do so. 

尊長前。聲要低。低不聞。卻非宜。

Before an elder, speak softly. But if our voice is too low and hard to hear, we are being improper. 

進必趨。退必遲。問起對。視勿移。

When meeting elders, walk briskly towards them; when leaving, do not do so in haste. When answering a question, look attentively at the person. 

事諸父。如事父。事諸兄。如事兄。

We should regard our aunts and uncles as if they were our parents, and our cousins as if they were our siblings. 

（三）謹

Being Mindful in Daily Life

朝起早。夜眠遲。老易至。惜此時。

Get up early and go to bed at a reasonable time. Knowing how time flies, we should treasure every day. 

晨必盥。兼漱口。便溺回。輒淨手。

When we get up, we should wash our face and brush our teeth. After using the toilet, we should always wash our hands. 

冠必正。紐必結。襪與履。俱緊切。

Our hat should be properly put on, clothing correctly buttoned, and socks and shoes neatly worn. 

置冠服。有定位。勿亂頓。致污穢。

We should put our clothes away in their proper places. We should not leave them lying around for they will get dirty that way. 

衣貴潔。不貴華。上循分。下稱家。

It is more important that our clothes are neat and clean than fashionable and expensive. We should wear what is suitable and appropriate for our age, and within our family's means.  

對飲食。勿揀擇。食適可。勿過則。

When eating and drinking, do not be fussy. Eat only the right amount; do not overeat. 

年方少。勿飲酒。飲酒醉。最為丑。

When we are young, we should not drink alcohol. The behaviour of those who are drunk is unsightly. 

步從容。立端正。揖深圓。拜恭敬。

Walk in an unhurried manner and always stand up straight. Whether greeting friends or elders, do so properly and with respect. 

勿踐閾。勿跛倚。勿箕踞。勿搖髀。

Do not step on doorsills or stand leaning on one leg. When sitting, do not sprawl or fidget. 

緩揭簾。勿有聲。寬轉彎。勿觸棱。

When entering a room, we should open the door quietly. When walking, we should be aware of our surroundings so as not to bump into anything. 

執虛器。如執盈。入虛室。如有人。

Hold empty containers just as carefully as if they were full. Enter empty rooms as if they were occupied. 

事勿忙。忙多錯。勿畏難。勿輕略。

Avoid doing things in a hurry, since acting in haste will lead to many mistakes. Do not be afraid of a task that is difficult or become careless when a job is easy. 

鬥鬧場。絕勿近。邪僻事。絕勿問。

Keep away from rowdy places. Do not be curious about things that are bad or unusual. 

將入門。問孰存。將上堂。聲必揚。

When we are about to enter a house, we should ask if anyone is inside. As we enter, we should make ourselves heard. 

人問誰。對以名。吾與我。不分明。

If someone asks who it is, we should say our name, not 'me' because such a reply is not clear. 

用人物。須明求。倘不問。即為偷。

Before using something that belongs to another, we should ask for permission. If we do not ask, it is stealing. 

借人物。及時還。後有急。借不難。

After we borrow from others, we should return the items on time. Later, if we have an urgent need, we will be able to easily borrow from them again. 

（四）信

Being Trustworthy

凡出言。信為先。詐與妄。奚可焉。

When we speak, honesty counts the most. Deceit and lies are unacceptable. 

話說多。不如少。惟其是。勿佞巧。

It is better to talk a little than chat too much. Tell the truth and do not speak insincerely. 

奸巧語。穢污詞。市井氣。切戒之。

Cunning, deceptive speech and foul language should never be used. We should never conduct ourselves in an unruly manner. 

見未真。勿輕言。知未的。勿輕傳。

We should not readily talk about something we have not seen for it may not be the whole truth. We should not readily pass on to others what we do not know for sure. 

事非宜。勿輕諾。茍輕諾。進退錯。

If someone asks us to do something and we are not sure whether it is appropriate, we should not carelessly promise. If we do promise to do something [and it is inappropriate], we will be wrong whether we keep or break our promise. 

凡道字。重且舒。勿急疾。勿模糊。

When speaking, say each word unhurriedly, clearly and correctly. Do not mumble or talk too fast. 

彼說長。此說短。不關己。莫閒管。

Some people like to gossip and comment on the faults or good points of others. But if something does not concern us, we should not get involved. 

見人善。即思齊。縱去遠。以漸躋。

When we see the goodness of others, we should encourage ourselves to learn from them. Even if we are far behind them, gradually we will achieve as they have. 

見人惡。即內省。有則改。無加警。

When we see the faults of others, we should reflect on our own behaviour. If we have the same fault, correct it. If we do not have this fault, we should always be alert and not make the same mistake. 

唯德學。唯才藝。不如人。當自礪。

When our morals, knowledge and skills are not as good as those of others, we should encourage ourselves to try harder. 

若衣服。若飲食。不如人。勿生戚。

If the clothes we wear and the food we eat are not as good as those of others, do not feel sad. 

聞過怒。聞譽樂。損友來。益友卻。

If criticism makes us angry and compliments make us happy, we will attract bad company, while good friends will leave us. 

聞譽恐。聞過欣。直諒士。漸相親。

If we are appreciative of criticism and uneasy with compliments, people who are virtuous, sincere and trustworthy will gradually become our friends. 

無心非。名為錯。有心非。名為惡。

If we accidentally make a mistake, it is only an error. But if we do it on purpose, it is definitely wrong.  

過能改。歸於無。倘揜飾。增一辜。

If we correct our faults and mistakes and do not repeat them, they will cease. But if we try to cover them up, we will be doubly wrong.

（五）汎愛眾

Loving All Beings

凡是人。皆須愛。天同覆。地同載。

Love all beings because we all live under the same sky and are supported by the same earth. 

行高者。名自高。人所重。非貌高。

A person of good moral character is highly respected. Respect is not based on external appearances. 

才大者。望自大。人所服。非言大。

A capable person will naturally have a good reputation. People are not won over by boasting or self-praise. 

己有能。勿自私。人所能。勿輕訾。

If we are good at something, we should be willing to use that ability to benefit others. When we feel others are more competent than us, we should not criticise or slander them for being so. 

勿諂富。勿驕貧。勿厭故。勿喜新。

Neither flatter the rich nor despise the poor. Neither ignore old friends nor take delight in only new ones. 

人不閒。勿事攪。人不安。勿話擾。

When others are busy, do not bother them. When they are troubled, do not make things worse by talking unnecessarily. 

人有短。切莫揭。人有私。切莫說。

We should neither expose the shortcomings of others nor disclose their private matters. 

道人善。即是善。人知之。愈思勉。

It is good to praise the virtuous actions of others. Knowing that they are being praised, people will be encouraged to do better. 

揚人惡。即是惡。疾之甚。禍且作。

Gossiping about the wrongdoings of others is in itself wrong. When we slander others excessively, we too will suffer harm and great misfortune. 

善相勸。德皆建。過不規。道兩虧。

By mutually encouraging one another to do good, both of us will improve our moral characters. But not advising one another to correct our respective faults, our moral characters will diminish. 

凡取與。貴分曉。與宜多。取宜少。

When giving and receiving, we should be clear in what we are doing. It is better to give more and take less. 

將加人。先問己。己不欲。即速已。

Before we ask others to do something, we should first ask ourselves if we would do it. If not, then we should not ask others to do it. 

恩欲報。怨欲忘。報怨短。報恩長。

We should repay the kindness of others and we should let go of our anger. Spend less time holding grudges and more time repaying kindness. 

待婢僕。身貴端。雖貴端。慈而寬。

When we interact with people who serve us, we should act in ways that inspire respect. While being dignified and proper is important, it is also important to be kind and generous. 

勢服人，心不然。理服人，方無言。

If we force others to do as we wish, they will silently rebel. But if we convince them with sound reasoning, they will happily agree without complaining. 

（六）親仁

Being Close to Kind and Virtuous People

同是人。類不齊。流俗眾。仁者希。

We are all human beings, but we are not the same. Most of us are ordinary and only a few of us are kind and virtuous. 

果仁者。人多畏。言不諱。色不媚。

Truly virtuous people are held in awe by others. They are not afraid to speak the truth and they do not fawn on others. 

能親仁。無限好。德日進。過日少。

If we associate with and learn from people of great virtue, we will benefit greatly. Day by day our own virtues will grow and our faults will lessen. 

不親仁。無限害。小人進。百事壞。

If we do not associate with and learn from these people, we will suffer a great loss. We will attract people without virtue, and nothing we do will succeed. 

（七）餘力學文

After Doing the Above, the Arts Come Next

不力行。但學文。長浮華。成何人。

If we acquire knowledge but do not sincerely apply what we have learned, we will have only increased our conceit. What then will we become? 

但力行。不學文。任己見。昧理真。

If we are sincere in what we are doing but not acquiring knowledge, we will only be stubbornly following our viewpoints. We will never see the truth. 

讀書法。有三到。心眼口。信皆要。

When studying, our mind, eyes and mouth must be focused on our learning. All three must be wholeheartedly dedicated to learning. 

方讀此。勿慕彼。此未終。彼勿起。

When reading a book, do not contemplate another. If we have not completed one, do not start another. 

寬為限。緊用功。工夫到。滯塞通。

In our studies, we should set a reasonable timetable and study hard. With enough time and effort, we will thoroughly understand the text. 

心有疑。隨札記。就人問。求確義。

If we have a question, we should make a note of it and then ask someone who knows the answer. 

房室清。牆壁淨。几案潔。筆硯正。

We should keep our room clean, our desk tidy, and our pens and pencils in their proper places. 

墨磨偏。心不端。字不敬。心先病。

If we do not properly care for our writing tools, it shows carelessness. If our words are written sloppily, it shows disrespect. 

列典籍。有定處。讀看畢，還原處。

Books should be organised and placed on bookshelves in their proper places. After reading a book, we should put it back where it belongs. 

雖有急。卷束齊。有缺壞。就補之。

Even when in a hurry, we should carefully put our book away. If it is damaged, we should repair it. 

非聖書。屏勿視。蔽聰明。壞心志。

Do not read books that are untruthful or immoral, for these will block our wisdom and undermine our aspirations. 

勿自暴。勿自棄。聖與賢。可馴致。

We should not, because of our arrogance, harm ourselves by doing something improper. We should not, because of our lack of confidence, give up on ourselves. With effort, we will gradually become a noble person.