Zeng Guofan’s mottos and aphorisms for governing the family

Everyone hopes that their descendants will be high officials. I don’t want to be high officials, but I hope to be gentlemen who are educated and sensible. ——"Zeng Guofan's Family Letter"

The bad qualities of the children of the capital are all due to arrogance and extravagance. You and your brothers should be warned and warned. ——"Family Letters of Zeng Guofan"

The children of ordinary families have the same clothing, food and daily life as those of poor people. A commoner can become a great person; but if he is contaminated with the habits of wealth and honor, it is difficult to hope for success. ——"Zeng Guofan's Home"

Zeng Guofan's Quotes on Reading and Struggle

1. Therefore, if we work hard to get rid of arrogance, guard against complacency, and not to be laughed at by others, we will make progress.

2. When a family is ruined and divorced, there is no word for luxury; when a person is divorced, there is no word for luxury; when a person is divorced, there is no word for arrogance.

3. The sages and heroes of the ages, who are both treacherous and determined, have nothing more than the word "diligence".

4. Belief in fortune telling and feng shui are all caused by delusions. Those who read and are sensible will not believe in the righteousness of their lives.

5. The most important thing in the world is reading. However, reading occupies status, in terms of character, not in position.

6. If you look at it for a long time, you will not be able to recognize the familiar words. If you look at it, it will appear that a still object seems to be moving. You will know that those who have doubts will confuse the truth, and those who think too much will be confused.

7. If you eat a vegetarian diet, your breath will not be turbid; if you sleep alone, your spirit will not be turbid; if you sit in silence, your heart will not be turbid; if you read, your mouth will not be turbid.

8. A person who likes reading will not have bad character; a person with good character will not have bad luck in life.

9. The mind can be calm, and nothing will happen despite all the changes. If there is no tranquility, Yan will live in leisure, longing and peaceful. Be still in your heart, not in your surroundings.

10. To live a life without seeking wealth, to study without seeking an official position, to cultivate virtue without seeking reward, and to write without seeking biography is like drinking wine without getting drunk, and being intoxicated with joy. Forget words.