Original text

1·4 Zengzi (1) said: "I examine myself three times in a day (2). Do I want to be unfaithful to others (3)? Is it true that I don't trust my friends when I make friends ( 4) Huh? Don’t you know it?”

Notes

(1) Zengzi: Zengzi’s surname was Zeng Shen (pronounced shēn) and his courtesy name was Ziyu. He was born in 505 BC. The people of Lu are the descendants of the nobles of Zuo who were destroyed by Lu. Zeng Shen was a favorite disciple of Confucius and was known as a filial son. It is said that he wrote the "Book of Filial Piety".

(2) Three Provinces: Province (sound xǐng), inspection, observation. There are several explanations for the three provinces: first, three inspections; second, inspection from three aspects; third, multiple inspections. In fact, in ancient times, numbers were added before action verbs to indicate that the action was more frequent and did not need to be considered three times.

(3) Loyalty: The old note said: Doing one’s best is called loyalty. This means that you should do your best to others.

(4) Faith: The old note says: Those who believe are sincere. Honesty is called trust. It requires people to keep trust with each other according to the provisions of etiquette to adjust the relationship between people.

(5) Transmission or not practice: Chuan, the old note said: "What is received from the teacher is called transmission. What the teacher teaches to oneself. Xi" is the same as the word "Xi" in "Learn and learn from time to time" The same refers to review, internship, exercises, etc.

Translation

Zeng Zi said: "I reflect on myself many times every day, have I done my best in doing things for others? Have you been honest and trustworthy in your interactions with friends? Have I reviewed the studies the teacher taught me? ”