弟子規 Standards for Students 前言（Foreword） The Standards for Students are basic requisites for being a good person and guidelines for living in harmony with others. 總敘 Preface 弟子規。聖人訓。 These are the rules for being a student Handed down to us by Ancient Sages. 首孝弟。次謹信。 First be filial to your own parents And respectful to all of your elders. 汎愛眾。而親仁。 Be trustworthy, cautious and kind, And draw near to those who are good. 有餘力。則學文。 Whatever time you have left Should be devoted to learning. 第一章 入則孝 Chapter 1 On Being Filial at Home 父母呼。應勿緩。 When your mother or father is calling, Do not be slow to respond. 父母命。行勿懶。 When your parents tell you to do something, Do not be lazy or sulky. 父母教。須敬聽。 When your parents need to instruct you, You should listen with patient respect. 父母責。須順承。 Whenever your parents must scold you, Accept it with faithful compliance. 冬則溫。夏則凊。 In the winter, make sure they are warm. In the summer, make sure they are cool. 晨則省。昏則定。 In the morning, cheerfully greet them. In the evening, tell them “Good night.” 出必告。反必面。 If you plan to go out, tell your parents. Report to them when you get back. 居有常。業無變。 Settle down in one certain place. Do not switch from one job to another. 事雖小。勿擅為。 No matter how small the affair, Do not act just as you please. 苟擅為。子道虧。 For if you act just as you please, Then you have not performed as you should. 物雖小。勿私藏。 Although a thing may be small, Do not save it just for yourself. 苟私藏。親心傷。 For if you hoard things for yourself, Your parents’ hearts will be grieved. 親所好。力為具。 Whatever your parents like best, You should provide for them soon. 親所惡。謹為去。 Whatever your parents dislike, You should do your best to remove. 身有傷。貽親憂。 If you carelessly injure your body, Your parents will worry and fret. 德有傷。貽親羞。 If you heedlessly damage your virtue, You bring shame and disgrace to your parents, 親愛我。孝何難。 When your parents are loving and kind, Of course it’s not hard to be filial. 親憎我。孝方賢。 The true test of being a person Comes when parents are hateful and cruel. 親有過。諫使更。 If your recognize faults in your parents, Exhort them to change for the better. 怡吾色。柔吾聲。 Speak to them kindly and gently With a pleasant smile on your face. 諫不入。悅復諫。 If they cannot accept your advice, Wait for an opportune time. 號泣隨。撻無怨。 You may even use tears to exhort them, But don’t resent it if you are punished. 親有疾。藥先嘗。 When your parents are ill, call the doctor, Be sure the prescription is right. 晝夜侍。不離床。 Wait on them day after day, At their bedside by day and by night. 喪三年。常悲咽。 For three years after their death, Remember them always in sorrow. 居處變。酒肉絕。 During this period of mourning, Don’t drink wine or eat meat. 喪盡禮。祭盡誠。 Take care of their funeral arrangements, Make offerings on their behalf. 事死者。如事生。 Reverently cherish their memory As if they were still in the world. 第二章 出則悌 Chapter 2 On Practicing True Brotherhood 兄道友。弟道恭。 When the older children are friendly And the younger children respectful, 兄弟睦。孝在中。 Then brothers and sisters won’t fight, And it’s clear they know how to be filial. 財物輕。怨何生。 Don’t think of wealth as important, Or else you will feel resentful. 言語忍。忿自泯。 When talking to others, be patient, Then you won’t be troubled by anger. 或飲食。或坐走。 When people are eating or drinking, Sitting down or taking a walk, 長者先。幼者後。 Let those who are older go first. The young ones should follow behind. 長呼人。即代叫。 If an elder is looking for someone, You should run the errand instead. 人不在。己即到。 If the person you seek can’t be found, Hurry back and report what you’ve learned. 稱尊長。勿呼名。 In speaking to those who are older, Use the proper terms of respect. 對尊長。勿見能。 When you are facing teachers and elders, Don’t show off or try to look smart. 路遇長。疾趨揖。 If you meet an elder while walking, Greet him or her with respect. 長無言。退恭立。 If the elder does not address you, Respectfully stand to one side. 騎下馬。乘下車。 If an elder’s walking and you’re riding, Stop and ask if he’s traveling far. 過猶待。百步餘。 Respectfully wait till he’s passed you Before you continue on in your car. 長者立。幼勿坐。 When an elder person is standing, The young ones should not take a seat, 長者坐。命乃坐。 But wait till the elder is seated, And sit down when you are told. 尊長前。聲要低。 Speak softly in front of your elders, In a low voice that pleases the ear. 低不聞。卻非宜。 But you are wrong if you’re speaking So softly that no one can hear. 進必趨。退必遲。 Greet your elders promptly, And take your leave slowly. 問起對。視勿移。 Answer questions respectfully, And don’t let your eyes dart around. 事諸父。如事父。 You should treat everyone’s parents Just the same as you treat your own. 事諸兄。如事兄。 Treat all brothers and sisters Just like your family at home. 第三章 謹 Chapter 3 On Being Careful 朝起早。夜眠遲。 In the morning it’s best to rise early. At night you should go to bed late. 老易至。惜此時。 Cherish the time that is left you. Don’t expect that old age will wait. 晨必盥。兼漱口。 In the morning, first wash your face, And next brush your teeth very well. 便溺回。輒淨手。 After you go to the toilet, Use water and soap on your hands. 冠必正。紐必結。 You should put on your hat withcare, And fasten your buttons and snaps. 襪與履。俱緊切。 Then pull up your socks very neatly, And fasten your shoelaces as well. 置冠服。有定位。 Your hat and other clothes Should be put in their own special places. 勿亂頓。致污穢。 Do not leave them just lying around, Or they’re sure to get wrinkled and soiled. 衣貴潔。不貴華。 Your clothing should always be neat. If it’s not new and stylish, don’t worry. 上循分。下稱家。 What you wear should make common sense. Don’t spend too much money on clothes. 對飲食。勿揀擇。 Do not fuss and complain about tastes When you are given something to eat. 食適可。勿過則。 Eat enough so that you are full, But do not eat more than you need. 年方少。勿飲酒。 During the time when you are young, Don’t drink liquor or take harmful drugs. 飲酒醉。最為醜。 To get drunk is disgraceful and ugly. Taking drugs brings you nothing but shame. 步從容。立端正。 Your walk should be easy and graceful. When you stand, keep your back tall and straight. 揖深圓。拜恭敬。 Your half bows should be deep and full, And your full bows made with respect. 勿踐閾。勿跛倚。 Watch your step as you enter a doorway. Stand up straight and don’t lean against the wall. 勿箕踞。勿搖髀。 Do not sit sprawled all over the floor. Or wriggle and squirm when you walk. 緩揭簾。勿有聲。 When closing a door best be careful, Do it slowly without too much noise. 寬轉彎。勿觸棱。 Whenever crossing a room, Don’t bump into the table and chairs. 執虛器。如執盈。 You should carry an empty container, Just as carefully as one that is full. 入虛室。如有人。 And enter a room that is empty, As you would if a crowd were inside. 事勿忙。忙多錯。 There is no need to be in a hurry. If you rush you will make a mistake. 勿畏難。勿輕略。 Don’t be afraid of what’s hard, And don’t be careless with what is easy. 鬥鬧場。絕勿近。 Never go to rowdy places, Or places where people are fighting. 邪僻事。絕勿問。 When something is low and improper It’s not worth your talk or your questions. 將入門。問孰存。 When you’re going to enter a room, First knock to make sure it’s permitted. 將上堂。聲必揚。 When joining a gathering of people, Let them all know you’ve arrived. 人問誰。對以名。 If someone should ask who you are, You should answer by giving your name. 吾與我。不分明。 If you respond, “It is me,” You ’re not giving a proper reply. 用人物。須明求。 If you use someone else’s belongings, Be sure that you ask for permission. 倘不問。即為偷。 If you don’t get the owner’s permission, Then stealing is what you have done. 借人物。及時還。 If you must borrow something from another, Make sure you return it on time. 後有急。借不難。 If someone asks you for something, Loan it to them as soon as you can.
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