"Running a Family" ("Running a Family in Zhu Bailu"), with 524 words, is easy to understand, concise, clear and catchy. Since its publication, it has spread like wildfire, becoming a well-known and well-known classic family motto for the godsons in the Qing Dynasty.
Some of these epigrams, such as "a porridge and a meal, are not easy to think about;" Half-silk and half-wisp, persistent thinking about material difficulties, "prepare for a rainy day and dig a well without thirst" still has educational significance today. The motto of managing the family, which aims at "self-cultivation" and "keeping the family in order", is a master of the Confucian way of life, with profound thoughts and profound implications. Looking at the motto of managing the family, it is intended to persuade people to be diligent in managing the family and keep their position.
China's moral education thought formed over thousands of years is expressed in the form of famous sayings and epigrams. It can be taught orally, or it can be written as couplets to be hung at the gate, hall and bedroom as the motto of managing the family and educating children. Therefore, it is very popular with bureaucrats, gentry and scholarly families, and has spread widely since it came out. It was regarded as a "classic of family management" by scholars of past dynasties and once became one of the required textbooks for children from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China.
Main translation:
As a monarch, the most important thing is to have a kind heart. As a courtier, the most important thing is loyalty. Being a father, the most important thing is kindness; As a child, the most important thing is filial piety. As brothers, the most important thing is to love your brothers and sisters; As a sister, you should respect your brother.
The most important thing for a husband is peace of mind, while a wife must attach importance to the role of tenderness. The most important thing to get along with teachers is politeness; When meeting friends, the most important thing is to keep your word. When you meet an old man, you should have respect; When you see young people, you should have a loving heart. I should respect a man of noble character even if he is younger than me. For those who misbehave, although they are older than me, we should stay away from them.
Never talk about other people's shortcomings, and don't think that it's great to be convinced of your own advantages. If you have hatred for people, the way to resolve it is to check whether you are on the moral side; For those who hate themselves, treat them with a normal heart.
No matter what kind of environment you encounter, you should accept it frankly. Others have small mistakes, so be tolerant; If someone makes a big mistake, you should tell him in a correct and reasonable way.
Don't think it's just a small good thing and don't do it, let alone a small bad thing and do it boldly. We should help others cover up their shortcomings (when facing others); The advantages of others should be publicized for him. You shouldn't make enemies with others for personal reasons; When managing the family, we should pay more attention not to be unfair because of selfishness.
Don't do things that harm others and benefit yourself, and don't be jealous. If something goes wrong, don't be angry, but make a quick decision; Don't violate the normal code of conduct and hurt other objects. If there is an improper opportunity to make a fortune, you should give it up; When you meet something reasonable, you might as well do it.
Classics handed down by ancient sages cannot be read; We should know the reasonable norms and correct attitude towards life. For future generations, we must attach importance to education; For servants, you must be considerate and concerned. Thousands of years of cultural traditions must be respected; We must support each other in the face of disasters.
Keeping one's duty must depend on understanding the basic norms of being a man; The fate of our lives is decided by God. If a person can do the above, God will certainly come to help. These basic principles can be achieved everywhere in daily life. Just as clothes are to the body and diet is to the mouth, you are indispensable every day. How can we not pay attention to these basic principles of life?