The original text and translation of Zeng Guofan's family motto quotations are as follows:

Original text: In the ninth month of the sixth year of Xianfeng, the Nine Nights Edict was recited to Ji Hong'er: Those who come to the camp from home should praise them more I am somewhat comforted by the magnanimity of your conduct.

Translation: Zeng Guofan wrote to his son Zeng Jihong in September of the sixth year of Xianfeng (1856): People who came to the camp from home praised your generous and decent behavior, so I felt a little comforted.

Original text: All wealth and fame are destined by fate, half due to personal efforts and half determined by God's will; only learning to be a sage is entirely up to us and has nothing to do with God's destiny.

I have the ambition to learn to be a sage. When I was a child, I was deficient in Jujing Kung Fu, and even now I still have the problem of occasionally acting rashly. You should behave dignifiedly and refrain from speaking easily. This is the foundation for your moral cultivation.

Translation: Whether it is wealth or fame, they are all destined. Half of it depends on personal efforts, and the other half depends on God's will. Only learning to become a sage depends entirely on our own efforts and has nothing to do with destiny.

I myself also have the ambition to learn to be a sage, but my self-respecting skills were still somewhat lacking when I was a child, and even now I still can't avoid the occasional rash behavior. You should behave in a dignified manner and refrain from making remarks easily. This is the basis for improving your moral character and practicing your studies.

The inspiration of Zeng Guofan’s family motto to modern people

First of all, Zeng Guofan’s family motto emphasizes the importance of family education, believing that the family is the first classroom for children to grow up, and parents should take the responsibility for education Responsibilities of children. This is also applicable to modern people. Family education is crucial to the growth of children. Parents should focus on cultivating their children's moral character and good habits.

Secondly, Zeng Guofan’s family motto focuses on the construction of family tradition, believing that family tradition is the spiritual outlook of a family, and good family tradition can make family members more harmonious and harmonious. In modern society, people also need to pay attention to the construction of family tradition. Family members should respect, understand and trust each other to create a warm and harmonious family atmosphere.