Zeng Guofan’s family tradition and family motto are as follows:

1. As the proverb goes, eating for a while will make you wise. All my progress in life comes from frustration and humiliation. I must be clear about inspiration and accumulate my energy. To gain wisdom, one must not be discouraged.

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 someone is displeased, there is no word for pride.

3. The mediocre people in the world, both ancient and modern, are all defeated by the word laziness. The talented people in the world, ancient and modern, are all defeated by the word arrogance.

4. Taking farming and reading as the foundation is a long-term solution.

5. Brothers must be diligent and respectful when teaching their children and nephews at home. No matter in troubled times, in every family. Those who are diligent and respectful will never be unhappy; those who are not diligent and respectful will never be invincible.

6. The Eight Virtues: Diligence, Thrift, Strength, Ming, Loyalty, Forgiveness, Modesty, and Honesty.

7. The success or failure of your life is all related to the virtuousness of your friends. Don’t be careless.

8. My grandfather also regarded cowardice as a great shame when he taught others. Therefore, in order for a man to stand on his own feet, he must be stubborn.

9. The first meaning of the word "guard against arrogance" is not to laugh at others easily. The first meaning of the word "guard against laziness" is not to laugh easily.

10. The emotions of ordinary people are that they are not fond of leisure and hate work. No matter whether they are high or low, wise, stupid, old or young, they are all greedy for leisure and afraid of work. This is the same in ancient and modern times.