1. Don’t be slow when your parents call you; don’t be lazy when your parents order them. ——Li Yuxiu's "Disciple Regulations" in the Qing Dynasty
Meaning: When parents call, you should quickly respond; when parents give orders, you should quickly do it.
2. The tree wants to be quiet but the wind does not stop; the child wants to be nourished but cannot be kissed. ——"Han Shi Wai Zhuan" by Han Ying of the Han Dynasty
Meaning: The tree wants to be still, but the wind keeps blowing its branches and leaves. The tree is an objective thing, and the wind is the passing time. It is a metaphor that the passage of time does not stop according to personal wishes. It is often used to lament that when the son of man wishes to be filial to his parents, his parents have already passed away.
3. The thread in the hands of a loving mother, the clothes on the body of a wanderer. Before leaving, I was afraid of returning late. Whoever speaks of an inch of grass will be rewarded with three rays of spring light. ——"Yin of the Wandering Son" by Meng Jiao of the Tang Dynasty
Meaning: A loving mother uses the needle and thread in her hand to make clothes for her son who is traveling far away. Before leaving, I sewed it stitch by stitch, fearing that my son would come back late and the clothes would be damaged. Who dares to say that children with filial piety as weak as Xiaocao can repay the kindness of Chunhui Puze?
4. There are three kinds of filial piety: the first is to respect relatives, the second is not to be humiliated, and the second is to be able to support. ——"Book of Rites" by Dai Sheng of the Western Han Dynasty
Meaning: Filial behavior can be divided into three levels: the highest level is respecting parents in speech, behavior and heart, and the second level is not beating, scolding and insulting Parents, be good to them, and the next best thing is to be able to provide for them until they die. Of course, it would be unfilial to not even be able to provide for one's retirement.
5. Don’t let your parents suffer from hard work, and don’t let your parents suffer from sorrow. ——Anonymous "Encouragement to Repay Parents' Favors" from the Qing Dynasty
Meaning: Don't let your parents suffer and be burdened, don't let your parents share your sorrows.