Zhu Xi’s family motto is also known as Zhu Xi’s family precepts.

Full text:

Get up at dawn and sweep the courtyard to make sure it is tidy inside and outside; when you feel faint, you will rest, lock the door, and check it yourself.

A porridge and a meal, when you think about the difficulty of getting there; half a thread, half a thread, always think about the difficulty of material resources.

It is better to be prepared before it rains and not to dig a well when thirsty.

You must be frugal in serving yourself, and don’t linger when entertaining guests.

The utensils are clean and earthenware, and the earthenware and pots are better than gold and jade; the food is simple and refined, and the vegetables in the garden are more delicious.

Don’t build luxurious houses, don’t seek fertile land.

Three aunts and six wives are matchmakers for adulterers and thieves; beautiful maids and coquettish concubines are not the blessings of a boudoir.

Slaves should not use handsome clothes, and wives and concubines should not wear colorful clothes.

Although the ancestors are far away, the sacrifices must not be dishonest; although the descendants are foolish, they must read the scriptures.

You must be simple in your home life and teach your children in a righteous way.

Don’t be greedy for unexpected wealth, and don’t drink too much wine.

When trading with Jian Tiao, do not take advantage; when you see poor relatives and neighbors, you must show warmth and compassion.

If you are mean and start a family, you will not be able to enjoy it for a long time; if you have a bad relationship, you will soon perish.

Brothers, uncles and nephews must be divided into many to benefit the few; elders and younger ones, both internally and externally, should be strict in their speech.

How can he be a husband if he listens to his wife and behaves like a good boy? He who values ??his property but despises his parents cannot be a good son.

When you marry a daughter and choose a good son-in-law, don’t ask for a generous offer; when you marry a daughter-in-law, don’t ask for a generous dowry.

It is most shameful to be flattering when seeing wealth; to be arrogant when seeing poverty is nothing more despicable.

Avoid lawsuits at home, as litigation will lead to disaster; avoid talking too much in life, as talking too much will lead to mistakes.

Do not rely on power to bully the orphans and widows, do not be greedy for food and drink, and do not kill livestock and poultry.

If you are eccentric, you will have many regrets and mistakes; if you are lazy and resigned, your family fortune will be difficult to achieve.

If you are young and have bad affection, you will suffer from it for a long time; if you are old and mature, you can rely on each other if you are in a hurry.

If you listen carefully to what is said, how can you be aware of the accusations made by others? Be patient and think twice; when you argue over something, how can you know that it is not your fault? Need to think quietly.

Don’t forget to give favors, and never forget to receive favors.

You should leave room for everything, and you should not go back when you are proud.

When people are happy, don’t be jealous; when people are in trouble, don’t be happy.

It is not really good to be kind if you want others to see you; to be evil if you are afraid of others seeing it is great evil.

If you see lust and have lustful thoughts, you will repay it to your wife and children; if you hide your grudges and use hidden arrows, you will bring disaster to your descendants.

The family is harmonious, and although the food is not enough, there is still a lingering joy; the national lessons are finished early, and there is nothing left in the bag, and I am happy.

Studying aims at being a sage, not just a scholar; when serving as an official, you only care about the country, how can you care about your wealth?

Keep your peace and order, and listen to God.

If you behave like this, you are almost a common man.

Translation:

Get up at dawn, sweep the courtyard, and keep the inside and outside clean.

Translation: Get up at dawn, clean the courtyard, and keep the inside and outside clean. tidy.

As soon as you feel faint, you will rest. If you lock the door, you must check it yourself.

Translation: Take a rest when the sun sets, close the doors and windows, and be sure to check it yourself.

A porridge and a meal, when you think about the difficulty of getting there; half a thread, half a thread, always think about the difficulty of material resources.

Translation: A bowl of porridge and a bowl of rice should be considered as hard-earned. (On clothes, cloth) half silk, half thread, it must be considered that it is very difficult for them to come.

It is better to prepare for the rain (chóu móu) than to dig a well when thirsty (Wù). Note: Preparation: tightly bound, extended to repair, preparation in advance.

Translation: Repair your house carefully before it rains, and don’t think of digging a well until you are thirsty.

You must be frugal in your self-reliance, and do not linger at banquets.

Translation: You must be diligent and frugal in your own life, and don’t be stingy when inviting friends to banquets.

The utensils are clean, the earthenware fou (fǒu) is better than gold and jade; the food is simple and refined, and the garden vegetables are more delicious (xiū). Note: Wasuo: a pottery vessel with a small mouth and a big belly.

Translation: If the utensils used are clean and tidy, even those made of tiles are better than those made of gold and jade; if the meals are small but refined, even ordinary vegetables are delicacies.

Don’t build luxurious houses, don’t seek fertile land.

Translation: Don’t build luxurious houses, don’t seek fertile fields.

Three aunts and six wives are matchmakers for adulterers and thieves; beautiful maids and coquettish concubines are not the blessings of a boudoir. Note: Three nuns: Taoist nun, nun, and Gua nun; six nuns: matchmaker, medicine woman, Shipo (witch), Qianpo, Wenpo, and Yapo.

Translation: Three aunts and six women, they are really matchmakers for debauchery and thieves (here is not "three aunts and six women", but refers to some women who love to tell trouble, like the king's wife in Water Margin); beautiful maidservants are beautiful Concubine, this is not a blessing for the family.

Don’t choose handsome boys and concubines, and avoid wearing colorful makeup on your wives and concubines.

Translation: Don’t choose handsome boys and servants, and your wives and concubines must not wear too much makeup.

Although our ancestors are far away, we must not be dishonest in offering sacrifices; although our descendants are foolish, we must read the scriptures

Translation: Although our ancestors are far away from us, we must not be dishonest in offering sacrifices. ; Children and grandchildren, even if they are dull, must read and learn principles.

Be simple in your life and teach your children in a righteous way.

Translation: In daily life, one must be honest and simple in quality and education. Children and grandchildren must use the correct method. "Zengguang Xianwen" says: If a small family disciplines its children, everyone should teach their children to be righteous.

Don't be greedy for unexpected wealth, and don't drink too much wine. >

Translation: Don’t be greedy for extraneous wealth, and don’t drink too much alcohol. Both of these will bring disaster to you.

Don’t take advantage of others when doing business with them; don’t take advantage of your neighbors when they are poor. Warm shirt (xù).

Translation: Don’t take advantage of others when doing business with people carrying poles; be more considerate and considerate to poor relatives or neighbors.

If you are harsh and have good morals, you will not be able to enjoy them for a long time; if your morals are often bad (chuǎn), you will soon be destroyed. : If you are a mean person in charge of this family, the laws of nature will not allow you to be blessed for a long time; if you violate ethics and deviate from the basic morals of society, you will soon suffer disaster and perish.

Brothers, uncles and nephews must be separated. The poor and the widowed should be greatly comforted; the family law should be strict with the elders and young ones both internally and externally.

Translation: For brothers, uncles and nephews, the poor should be comforted; He who listens to his wife and behaves like his flesh and blood is not a husband; he who cares about property but neglects his parents is not a son.

Note: Listen to his wife and behave like his flesh and blood: there are two explanations, one is doting on children; the other is that he loves his children; This is because there were three wives and four concubines in ancient times, and the stepmother didn't like the child and complained about it; there are also some women who instigate brotherly affection, and there are also studies in modern psychology.

Translation: Listen to the woman's words. , doting on one's own children, this is not the behavior of a man; focusing on money and not being filial to parents is not the behavior of human descendants.

When marrying a daughter, choose a good son-in-law, and do not ask for a high offer; when marrying a daughter-in-law, do not consider it. Thousand dowry (lián). Note: dowry.

Translation: To marry a daughter, you should choose a son-in-law of good quality, not an expensive dowry; /p>

It is most shameful to be flattered (chǎn) when you see wealth; to be arrogant when you are poor is extremely mean.

Translation: When you see rich and powerful people, you are the most shameful. It is the most shameful to show a despicable attitude of nodding, bowing and flattering; it is the most despicable to deliberately behave arrogantly when encountering poverty.

It is advisable to argue and litigate at home, and litigation will lead to disaster; to talk too much in life is to lead to mistakes.

Translation: When managing a family, one must avoid quarrels and arguments. In the end, it is difficult to distinguish right from wrong. As a result, both people are very angry, so they end up being evil. When getting along with others, you must Remember to speak less and comment less. If you speak too much, it is easy to make mistakes. Sometimes the speaker does not mean it, but the listener does. Listening is the best conversation.

Do not rely on power to bully the orphans and widows; do not be greedy for food and drink, but arbitrarily kill livestock and poultry. Note: Orphans and widows are all vulnerable groups.

Translation: Don’t rely on your power to humiliate or coerce the weak; don’t slaughter the livestock at home just because of greed.

Interpretation: This wise poem warns us not to bully the weak with the strong, but to cherish life. Orphans and widowed mothers are vulnerable groups in society, and vulnerable groups need more psychological and daily care from society. Otherwise, using one's power to bully orphans and widowed mothers will be unpopular and morally condemned.

In addition, the heaven and earth nourish all things, forming a biological chain from high to low. If the biological chain is imbalanced, it will bring disaster to mankind. All things have the virtue of living well, including all animals. Do not kill animals indiscriminately just for the sake of your appetite. Human nutrition also needs to be balanced and appetite needs to be controlled. Excessive nutrition will cause damage to the body. ?

If you are eccentric, you will have many regrets and mistakes; if you are lazy and resigned, your family fortune will be difficult to achieve.

Translation: A person who has an eccentric and extreme personality and often thinks that what he does is right must have many regrets; a person who is decadent, lazy, and addicted must not be able to manage himself well. family business.

Interpretation: The first half of the sentence tells us that a person whose mood fluctuates greatly, or whose mood changes very frequently, is more likely to make wrong judgments and decisions than others, and sometimes even loses judgment and decision-making. The ability to make decisions, and often regret for saying or doing the wrong things afterwards. The sages warned us that it is very important for people living in the world to maintain a normal mood. Once you reach this state, you have nothing to fear. ?

The second half of the sentence warns us: Of course, it is impossible to manage a family and manage finances if you are depressed and unwilling to make progress, but how about starting a business and running a country? Only by maintaining a strong and upward spirit, having ideals and pursuits, and being proactive and entrepreneurial can we achieve career success.

If you are young and evil, you will suffer from it for a long time; if you are old and mature, you can rely on each other in times of emergency. Note: intimacy: close but not solemn.

Translation: If you associate with those bad guys, you will be dragged down by them over time; if you associate with mature people, you can rely on them if you encounter urgent matters. Listen to the speech lightly, and be aware of the inhuman slander, and be patient and think twice.

Listen lightly, and be aware of the inhuman slander, and be patient and think twice; note: slander: slander and attack

Translation: Don’t believe what others say. Think about whether it is someone else’s slander or criticism. You should be patient and think more about whether his words are correct;

How can you argue about something? If you know it's not my fault, you must think about it calmly.

Translation: If you are arguing about something, you should think about whether it is your fault, and think twice more calmly.

Don’t think about giving favors, and don’t forget the favors received.

Translation: Don’t worry about helping others all day long, and don’t forget the favors received from others.

You should leave room for everything, and you should not continue to be proud.

Translation: Leave room for everything you do, give others a certain amount of space, and do it in moderation to achieve success. ?

When people are happy, don’t be jealous; when people are in trouble, don’t be happy.

Translation: Don’t be jealous when someone is happy; don’t take pleasure in someone else’s misfortune.

It is not really good to be kind if you want others to see you; to be evil if you are afraid of others seeing it is great evil.

Translation: If you have a kind heart, you must let others know it, which is not a true kindness; if you have evil thoughts and are afraid that others will know, this is a great evil.

If you see lust and have lustful thoughts, you will repay it to your wife and children; if you hide your grudges and use hidden arrows, you will bring disaster to your descendants.

Translation: If you see a beautiful woman and have lustful thoughts, or even force her to obey, then your wife or daughter will have the same experience. If you have resentment against others and keep thinking about them, and secretly hurt them, you and your descendants will suffer disaster.

The family is harmonious, and although the food (yōng sūn) is not good, there is still happiness; Note: yōng sūn: breakfast and dinner, the meaning of food.

Translation: If everyone in the family has a harmonious relationship, there will still be happiness even if there is no food to eat. Happiness is equal, no matter you are poor or rich; beggars have beggars' happiness, and Jack Ma has Jack Ma's troubles.

After finishing the national lessons early, there will be no more náng tuó, and I will be happy. Note: Nangzi: a bag for storing grain.

Translation: After completing the study of Chinese studies, you will still be happy even if you don’t have much money in your pocket. In this world, it is not about living richer than others, but living longer than others; Fan Zhongyan's family has been prosperous for 800 years, but many rich people have fallen into dust in these 800 years.

Studying aims at being a sage, not just a scholar; serving as an official only cares about the country, not about wealth.

Translation: Studying is for the purpose of learning from the sages, not just for the imperial examination; when you are an official, you should have the world and the country in mind, and not just care about your own family.

Keep your peace and order, and listen to God. If you behave like this, you will be close to common people.

Translation: Stick to your duties as a human being and be content with your fate, obey the seasons and obey God's will; if this is how you live your life, it can be said to be very close to perfection.

Extended information:

Interpretation of "Zhu Xi's Maxims on Household Management"

1. Get up at dawn, sweep the court, and keep it clean inside and outside.

Every sentence and every word of the ancients has a profound meaning and should not be underestimated. Although these three sentences seem to be trivial matters in daily life, the truth is very profound. It tells us at least three truths:

First, life must be regular. The ancients said: "Work at sunrise and rest at sunset." This is the law of nature. We must obey it and do not go against nature, otherwise we will be punished.

Second, we should develop the habit of hard work and doing things respectfully from an early age. This habit will have a great impact on the development of children's future habits.

Thirdly, cleaning the court is not for outsiders to see. It is not done only after people come. Your own room must be cleaned whether anyone comes or not. A clean and tidy environment is not only good for your health, but also affects your mood.

2. One porridge and one meal should be remembered as hard-earned; half a thread and half a thread should be remembered that material resources are difficult.

Every porridge and meal are hard-earned. "It is noon on the day of hoeing, and the sweat is dripping from the soil. Who knows that every grain of food on the plate has been worked hard." This poem is familiar to everyone.

People living in the world should learn to be grateful, because our society is a mutual-help system. Everything we enjoy comes from the society and is the result of the labor of others.

Some people may think that money is earned by oneself, and one can spend it however one wants. Whether it is wasted or not is my own business, but for the entire society and the entire earth, that is Waste of resources. Although you are spending your own money, you are wasting your own blessings, so don't think that food is cheap and you can waste it casually.

3. It is better to be prepared before it rains and not to dig a well when thirsty.

The roof, doors and windows should be repaired before it rains, so that you will not suffer losses when strong winds and heavy rains come. Don't wait until you are thirsty to dig a well; it will be too late.

We must look at things with foresight and long-term planning, and cannot just look at the present. This is the correct attitude in life. For example, is a child's test scores more important, or his healthy mind and personality? If you only focus on scores and don’t pay attention to the child’s attitude towards life and work, this would be a bit short-sighted.