1. Inscribed on Brother and Nephew’s Book Hall

Tang Dynasty: Du Xunhe

Why do you live in poverty and the road is not endless? In times of chaos, it is the same as in times of tranquility.

Although his family is in a war zone, his brother and nephew often practice rituals and music.

The shadow of bamboo on the window shakes on the desk, and the sound of wild spring flows into the inkstone pond.

Young people work hard all their lives, and don’t waste time and effort.

Translation

Although the house I live in is simple, my knowledge has not decreased. I am still the same as before, even though there is war outside.

Although there is a war in my hometown, my brother and nephew are still receiving the enlightenment of Confucianism.

The shadow of the bamboo outside the window is still swaying on the desk, and the ink in the inkstone seems to make the tinkling sound of wild spring water.

The efforts you make when you are young are important things that will last a lifetime. Don’t relax your efforts at all in the face of the passing time.

2. Diligence in learning

Song Dynasty: Wang Zhu

Study and diligence will lead to thousands of books in the window.

Three winters are enough now, who laughs with an empty stomach.

Translation

Knowledge requires hard work, just like the predecessors who used fireflies to catch light, diligently read at night, and read many books.

After several years of hard study, "three winters of literature and history are enough", and you have knowledge. Who will laugh at you at that time for your ignorance and lack of knowledge?

3. Academy

Song Dynasty: Liu Guo

Mechanics is like hard work, and you know yourself if you are diligent and lazy.

But if there are many kinds of books, there will be times when they will be old.

Translation

Studying hard is like farmers working hard. Only you will know whether you are diligent or lazy.

Even if there are many types of books, as long as you work hard, you will eventually be able to read and understand them.

4. Encouragement to study

Tang Dynasty: Yan Zhenqing

It is the time for men to study when the lights are on at three and the chickens are on at five.

Black-haired people don’t know how to study early, and white-haired people regret studying late.

Translation

The best time for boys to study is between midnight and the time when the rooster crows.

When I was young, I only knew how to play and didn’t know how to study hard. When I get older, I regret why I didn’t know how to study hard when I was young.

5. Reading

Song Dynasty: Lu You

I returned to Zhining without a five-acre garden, and my original intention of reading was in Yuan and Yuan Dynasties.

Although my eyesight in front of the lamp is not the same as before, I still have to learn 20,000 words.

Translation

The ambition to return home and live in seclusion is still the same even without the five acres of farmland. The original intention of reading is for the common people.

When I read under the lamp, my eyes are no longer what they used to be. But I still finished reading twenty thousand small words.