Zeng Guofan taught his children well, "love them in their own way." If nothing else, as long as he does not seek any specialization for his children and teaches them to be frugal and entrepreneurial, it will make people think deeply.
On November 5, the sixth year of Xianfeng (1856), he wrote a letter to his son Jize. The letter said: "Children of aristocratic families are most likely to be guilty of one word of luxury and one word of pride. It is not necessary to call it luxury after having rich clothes and fine food, but it is common to have leather robes and woolen coats lying around, and the habit of being with horses and servants. This is becoming more and more luxurious day by day. When you see the villagers, you scoff at their simplicity, and when you see the hired workers, you criticize them. You have become accustomed to doing this... There is no bad behavior among the children of the capital that is not due to arrogance and extravagance. You and your brothers should warn them. On May 27, the first year of Tongzhi (1862), he wrote another letter to his son Ji Hong: "The children of all aristocratic families are all the same as those of poor people. A commoner can become a great person, but if he is tainted by the habits of wealth and wealth, it is difficult to achieve success. "
In July of the third year of Tongzhi (1864), Zeng Guofan was awarded the title of Marquis. Ji Hong was going to Changsha to take the exam. Zeng Guofan wrote a special letter to warn him. : "Outside, you are mainly characterized by the word Qianjin. You are a child of an aristocratic family. Your family is too prosperous, and you belong to thousands of eyes. ... You are not allowed to interact with the state or county in front of the venue, and you are not allowed to send notes. You must know how to respect yourself from the beginning when you enter."
He is equally strict with his daughter. On August 24, the eleventh year of Xianfeng's reign (1861), he wrote to his daughter: "Clothes should not be made in too many styles, especially if they are too colorful with large borders." He also told his children and family members: "Although our family is in a good situation now, Become more prosperous, and have endless blessings. Diligence means getting up early, and being persistent is the second most important thing. Frugal means not wearing fancy clothes, and secondly, don’t use servants and servants. Anyone who is determined can achieve anything."
He also asked: "My men are indispensable for reading, reading, writing, and making, and women are indispensable for clothing, food, coarseness, and fineness. The words are indispensable. If a family is diligent, it will be prosperous; if a person is diligent, he will be healthy; if he is diligent and frugal, he will never be poor."