1. Only frugality can help integrity, but forgiveness can achieve virtue. ——From "Self-police Chapter·Frugality" by Zhao Shanhuang in the Song Dynasty
Translation: Only frugality can promote integrity, and only forgiveness can promote virtue.
2. It’s noon on the day of hoeing, and the sweat is dripping from the soil. Who would have thought that every meal on the plate is hard work? ——From "Compassion for the Farmers" by Li Shen of the Tang Dynasty
Translation: At noon in midsummer, the sun was scorching, and the farmers were still working, and beads of sweat dripped into the soil. Who would have thought that every grain of rice in our bowls is filled with the blood and sweat of farmers.
3. Stay calm to cultivate your character, and be frugal to cultivate your virtue. ——From "The Book of Commandments" by Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms
Translation: Rely on inner peace and concentration to cultivate body and mind, and rely on frugal style to cultivate moral character.
4. Being frugal and economical is the source of promoting Taoism; advocating extravagance and indulgence is the root of bad virtue. ——From "Zhenguan Politicians: Admonishing the Prince" by Wu Jing of the Tang Dynasty
Translation: Being able to be frugal and frugal is the source of promoting the great road; advocating luxury and self-indulgence are the roots of moral corruption.
5. It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality. Building a country through diligence and thrift will always be the mantra. ——From "Diligence and Frugality" by Zhu De in modern times
Translation: It is easy to throw away the tradition of diligence and frugality and slip into the pit of extravagance. But it is easy to climb out of the pit of extravagance and return to the road of diligence and thrift. Difficult. But no matter how difficult it is, we must curb the current trend of extravagance and restore the tradition of diligence and thrift. Otherwise, our socialist legacy may be ruined and the fruits of reform and opening up may be exhausted.