Original text:

The conduct of a gentleman ① is to cultivate one’s character through tranquility, and to cultivate one’s virtue through frugality. Without indifference ② there is no clear ambition, without tranquility ③ there is no way to reach far. Learning requires tranquility, and talent requires learning. Without learning, there is no way to expand talents, and without ambition, there is no way to achieve learning.

If you are impatient, you will not be able to stimulate your energy ④, and if you are impatient, you will not be able to cure your nature ⑤. Years go by with the times, thoughts go with the sun, and they become withered and withered⑥, many people do not take on the world⑦, and they stay in the poor house with sadness⑧, how will they be able to come back?

Notes

Line 1: Behavior style.

②Indifferent: Quiet and devoid of desires, not seeking fame or wealth; living a simple life, not pursuing enjoyment.

③Tranquility: Quiet mood and concentration.

④Sexy and arrogant: indulgent and frivolous. Energize: Invigorate the spirit and strive for excellence.

⑤Dangerous: impetuous, not calm; Cultivation: cultivate sentiment.

⑥Wither and decline: Wither and decline, which refers to old age and weak strength, and failure to learn.

⑦Acceptance: contact with society.

⑧Poor house: a simple house.

Interpretation:

The conduct of a person with both ability and political integrity, who cultivates his temperament with meditation and cultivates his character with courtesy and frugality. If you can't be calm and have few desires, you can't express your ambitions. If you can't be peaceful and quiet, you can't realize your lofty ideals.

Learning requires calmness of mind, and learning is necessary to become successful. Without learning, you cannot increase your talents, and without ambition, you cannot achieve success in learning. Age will pass away with time, and will will wear away day by day with the years. In the end, the energy will be exhausted and the knowledge will be useless. Most of them will not be used by society. By then, they will sadly guard their home with no future. Even if they regret it, it will be too late.

Extended information:

Zhuge Liang (181-October 8, 234), courtesy name Kongming, alias Wolong, was a native of Yangdu, Langya, Xuzhou (now Yinan County, Linyi City, Shandong) , the Prime Minister of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period, an outstanding politician, strategist, diplomat, writer, calligrapher, and inventor.

This article was written in the twelfth year of Jianxing of the Shu Han Dynasty (234 AD). It is a family letter written by Zhuge Liang to his eight-year-old son Zhuge Zhan in his later years. Zhuge Liang served his country his entire life, dedicated himself to it, and died.

He worked day and night for the Shu Han Dynasty and neglected to educate his son himself, so he wrote this letter to warn Zhuge Zhan. The full text is just eighty-six words long, expounding the profound principles of dedication, self-cultivation, and academic conduct. It is thought-provoking.

Zhuge Liang wrote this book to earnestly warn his son about the qualities that ancient sages should possess: "cultivate one's moral character, manage one's family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world." With a politician's mind and vision, combined with his personal experience, he required his descendants to start by cultivating their moral character, be motivated to study hard, and prepare themselves to serve the country and make contributions in the future.

Zhuge Liang pointed out in his letter that "indifferent" and "tranquility" are the prerequisites for cultivating noble sentiments and establishing lofty aspirations. He also clarified the relationship between learning and becoming talented, affirming that talents and academic achievements are acquired through acquired learning.

Zhuge Liang also highlighted that "arrogance" and "impetuousness" are the enemies of moral cultivation and motivation, thus further affirming the importance of "indifferent" and "tranquility".

Finally, Zhuge Liang specially warned his descendants not to waste their years and waste their years, but to work hard to "take over the world" and be useful in the world, otherwise they will be sad and regretful. Zhuge Liang's words in this letter home are all wise words summed up from his life experiences. They still have very positive and practical educational significance and are regarded as mottos by many people.

Reference material Baidu Encyclopedia-Zhuge Liang