The book "Collected Explanations of the Liu Family Instructions in Past Dynasties" written by the young writer Liu Yulong is about to be completed and is expected to be published before the end of the year. The book is divided into four parts: family motto, family tradition stories, family motto research, and appendices. This book systematically sorts out the family mottos from the Tang Dynasty to the present. Each family motto is followed by a brief introduction of the author, appreciation explanation, and textual research. If you have suitable materials, please contact the author as soon as possible for inclusion. WeChat hanxingzhuori.

About the author

Liu Jue was born in Jingzhao Huayuan (now Yaoxian County, Shaanxi Province) in the late Tang Dynasty. The Liu family has been a high-ranking official for generations and has a distinguished family background. They are also famous for their strict education of their children, which is known as the "Liu family method" by future generations. Liu Ding moved from Shuping and Diocui to the left to repair the problem. In the first year of Wende of Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty (888 AD), he was appointed as the minister of the Ministry of official affairs to prepare the history of the country and was appointed as the official censor. During the reign of Emperor Zhaozong of the Tang Dynasty, he planned to be promoted to prime minister, but gave up because of the eunuchs' slander. He was demoted to Luzhou governor and died. Liu Jue maintained the traditional family traditions of his ancestors and fathers. In his family motto for teaching his children, he especially emphasized that as a descendant of several generations of famous ministers, if he is not careful, he can easily be criticized by others and have the reputation of ruining his family, so he must be cautious. This is also an important reason why generations of high-ranking officials in the Liu family have not caused their descendants to become greedy, arrogant and extravagant.

Original text

A person with a high status in a husband's family [1] can be feared but cannot be relied upon. Those who are fearful should stand up for themselves [2]. If they fail in one thing, they will be more sinful than others. Although you can achieve fame and position in life, how can you see your ancestors in the ground after death? Those who cannot be relied upon will be arrogant if their family is high, and others will envy them if their family is prosperous. People may not believe in the actual performance of art[3]; if the flaws are slightly tired[4], ten hands are competing to point them out. Therefore, those who inherit the world[5] must be diligent in self-cultivation[6] and must be persistent in learning. In this life, a lady expects others to use her because of her incompetence, expects others to love her because of her lack of kindness, and uses her love in vain. Then she says: "I don't meet the time, and the time is not in a hurry for the good." She is like a farmer who plants recklessly and blames the lack of moisture in the sky. , even if you don’t give up, you can get it!

Give young children first lessons and talk about family law. To establish one's life, filial piety and brotherhood are the basis, respect and silence are the foundation [7], fear and cowardice are the duty, [8] are the rule, diligence and frugality are the law, friendship is the last thing, and loyalty is the evil spirit. The fat family is tolerant and obedient, and the good friends are simple and respectful. A hundred lines of preparation [9], it is suspected that the body is not well thought out; three secrets [10], it is worried that the words may be lost. If you fail to remember widely, you will be successful if you seek fame[11]. Get rid of stinginess and arrogance, and reduce the shortcomings of common people [12]. Serving as an official will save you trouble[13], and then you can speak and abide by the law. After abiding by the law, you can speak and support others. He who is honest does not approach disaster, and he who is honest does not sell his reputation. Although the wealth of Lin is small [14], it cannot be changed by the blood of Li Meng; although the wealth of Chu is used [15], it cannot be narrow-minded [16]. Worry and happiness do not go together [17], purity and wealth do not go together. The descendants of the Bijian family[18] were first upright in their official positions, upright and independent[19], and were not afraid of strong imperialism. However, when they declined, they only liked to offend their superiors and had no other ability. For example, he first behaves submissively and submissively to himself [20], is gentle and gentle to protect himself [21], and then regrets it when he is far away [22]; even when he is declining, he has hidden disadvantages and does not know his true origin [23]. At this moment, there is nothing wrong with me.

If a husband brings bad reputation to himself and loses his family first, there are five particularly serious losses, which should be deeply resolved [24]: First, seeking comfort for oneself, being indifferent [25], being self-interested, and not showing mercy. Human words[26]. Secondly, they do not know Confucianism and are dissatisfied with ancient Taoism [27]. They are ignorant of the past scriptures but have no shame [28]. They understand the current world [29]. Although they have little knowledge in body, evil people have knowledge. Third, those who conquer oneself are disgusted, those who flatter oneself are pleased [30], only enjoy the drama [31], don’t think about the ancient way. If you hear someone's good deeds, you will be jealous of them; if you hear someone's evil deeds, you will praise them; if you hear someone's evil deeds, you will be immersed in the secluded world [32]; if you write off the virtues and righteousness [33]; if you only have a hairpin and a train of clothes [34], what's so special about raising a common man [35]? Fourthly, one admires leisurely travel, and likes crooked tillers [36]. Holding a cup in one's hand is considered noble, and diligence is a common practice. It is easy to get used to it, and it is difficult to regret it. Fifth, he is eager to become an official and is close to the powerful [38]. He has only half the rank and qualifications, but even if he can get it, the public will be angry and speculative, and few will survive. This is not the case, it is worse than acne [39]. Acne can be cured by Bianstone [40], and witch doctors can't reach the five diseases [41]. The former sage Jiongjie[42], the official book exists[43];

If the husband's wife is already in the family, and he is a scholar of rhetoric, he will be impatient and worried about failure, and think about using it; if he judges his destiny and knows that he has retreated [44], his career will be barren [45] and his writing will be barren and lacking in talent. The only wise person is to study his considerations[46], learn a lot about his knowledge[47], strengthen his habits, refine his industry, use it to practice, and abandon it to store it.

If you are different from this, how can you be a gentleman?

——Excerpted from "Old Book of Tang·The Biography of Liu Gongchuo with the Biography of Liu Jie"

Notes

[1] Family place: that is, family position. There is a distinction between rich and poor families.

[2]Establish oneself: establish oneself. Conduct oneself: make oneself virtuous.

[3]Yixing: beautiful virtue.

[4]Small flaws: small flaws. Slightly tired: slight tiredness.

[5]Shizhou: refers to aristocratic family.

[6] Cultivation of oneself: Cultivation of oneself.

[7]Gongmo: respectful and quiet.

[8] Timidity: This can be interpreted as "cautious".

[9] Bai Xing Bei: Strictly demand yourself in many aspects to equip yourself with various qualities.

[10]Three-Secret: Force yourself to be careful with your words over and over again.

[11] Suglai: someone who comes unexpectedly.

[12] Shuji: Maybe; similar; almost.

[13] Come to the official position: that is, to be an official.

[14] Lin Lu: This can be interpreted as "salary" and "salary".

[15]Rongchu: Both Rong and Chu are the names of trees. They were instruments of punishment used in ancient times.

[16]Narrow-mindedness: Do whatever you want based on your own narrow-mindedness.

[17] No together: no *existence.

[18]Menjia: refers to aristocratic family; famous family; fame.

[19] Geng Jie: upright; upright.

[20]Xunshun: humble and respectful.

[21]Herou: gentleness and gentleness.

[22]Jiyou: regret; fault.

[23] Zong: Origin.

[24] Zhi: Note.

[25]Indifferent: Tranquility and few desires.

[26]shirt: cherish.

[27] Ancient Dao: A general name for ancient academics, politics, principles, methods, etc.

[28]懵: Unknown.

[29] Xie Yi: smile cheerfully; open your mouth to smile.

[30]Flattery: flattering oneself with cunning and clever words, treating oneself with sweet words.

[31] Xitan: "Tan" is the same as "talk". Playing, joking and talking.

[32]Immersion: Soaked by water.

It is a metaphor that slanderous words come gradually.

[33] Pin Ke: Pin means loss, carve means harm.

[34] Hairpin: the clothing of dignitaries. To borrow means to be distinguished.

[35]Siyang: refers to humble servants.

[36] Quhe: refers to wine.

[37] Huang: desolate.

[38] Nick: closeness.

[39] Acne: a type of sore.

[40] Bianstone: Refers to sharp stones or stone flakes ground into stones, used to treat acne and remove thick blood. It is the oldest medical tool in our country.瘳: recover.

[41]Witch doctor: wizard and physician, the role of wizard and physician in ancient times.

[42]Jongjie: A clear warning.

[43] Fangshu: refers to classics.

[44] Review: Observe carefully.

[45] Wu: messy.

[46]Shangzhi: Sage. Consider: to think.

[47]Wen: refers to knowledge.

Translation

Any family with a high family status can only be wary and fearful, but cannot be confident. What we mean by being fearful is to build oneself up to be virtuous. If one is careless and violates the teachings of the sages, then the fault will definitely be greater than that of others. Although you may be able to seek fame and status while you are alive, how can you have the face to see your ancestors underground after death? What we mean by being untrustworthy is that people with high family status are prone to arrogance and arrogance, and those with a prosperous family are prone to jealousy. Even if you have real skills and beautiful virtues, others may not believe you; if there are any minor flaws or mistakes, you will be criticized by many people.

In history, there are many examples of unworthy descendants and ruined families. Today, it is not uncommon for families to become notorious for being "little yamen". Therefore, Liu Jue's family motto should especially arouse the attention, vigilance, thinking and attention of parents who hold government offices and children with superior family conditions.