Dizigui in English (英文版）

弟子规总叙 (Outline) （一）
弟子规 圣人训 首孝弟 次谨信
Standards for being a good student and child was taught by Chinese saints and sages of the ancient past. First it teaches us how to be dutiful to our parents, and how to be respectful and loving to our siblings. Then it teaches us how to be cautious with all people, matters and things in our daily life, and to be a trustworthy person.

泛爱众 而亲仁 有余力 则学文
Futhermore, it teaches us to love all equally, be close to and learn from people of virtue and compassion. When we have accomplished all the above duties, we can further study and learn literature and art to improve the quality of our cultural and spiritual life.

入则孝（二）At home, be dutiful to my parents
父母呼。应勿缓。 父母命。须奉行。
When my parents call me, I will answer them right away. When they ask me to do something, I will do it quickly.
父母教。须敬听。 父母责。须顺承。
When my parents instruct me, I will listen respectfully. When my parents reproach me, I will obey and accept their reproach; I will try hard to change and improve myself and start anew.

（三）
冬则温。夏则凊。晨则省。昏则定。
In the winter, I will keep my parents warm, in the summer, I will keep them cool.
I will greet them in the morning to show them that I care; at night be sure that they rest well.
出必告。反必面。居有常。业无变。
Before going out, I must tell my parents where I am going, for parents are always concern about their children. After returning home, I must see my parents and let them I am back so they do not worry about me. I will maintain a permanent place to stay and lead a routine life; I will persist in whatever I do and will not change my aspirations at will.

（四）
事虽小。勿擅为。茍擅为。子道亏。
Although a matter may be considered trivial, but if it is wrong to do it or unfair to another person, I must not do it thinking it will bear little or no consequence. If I do, I am not being a dutiful child because my parents would not want to see me doing things that are irrational or illegal.
物虽小。勿私藏。茍私藏。亲心伤。
Even though an object might be small, I will not keep it a secret from my parents. If I do, my parents will be heartbroken.

（五）
亲所好。力为具。亲所恶。谨为去。
If whatever pleases my parents is fair and reasonable, I will try my best to attain it for them. If something displeases my parents, if within reason, I will cautiously keep it away from them.
身有伤。贻亲忧。德有伤。贻亲羞。
When my body is hurt, my parents will be worried. If my virtues are compromised, my parents will feel ashamed.
亲爱我。孝何难。亲憎我。孝方贤。
When I have loving parents, it is not difficult to be a dutiful child. But if my parents hate me and I am still dutiful to them, only then will it meet the standards of the saints and sages for being a dutiful child.

（六）
亲有过。谏使更。怡吾色。柔吾声。
When my parents do wrong, I will urge them to change. I will do it with a kind facial expression and a warm gentle voice.
谏不入。悦复谏。号泣随。挞无怨。
If they do not accept my advice, I will wait until they are in a happier mood before I attempt to dissuade them again, followed by crying, if necessary, to make them understand. If they end up whipping me, I will not hold a grudge against them.

（七）
亲有疾。药先尝。昼夜侍。不离床。
When my parents are ill, I wil taste the medicine first before giving it to them. I will take care of them night and day, and stay by their bedside.

丧三年。常悲咽。居处变。酒肉绝。
During the first three years of mourning after my parents have passed away, I will remember them with gratitude and often feel sad for not being able to repay them for their kindness in raising me. During this period, I will arrange my home to reflect my grief and sorrow. I will also avoid festivities and indulgence in food and alcoholic drink.

丧尽礼。祭尽诚。事死者。如事生。
I will observe proper etiquette in arranging our funerals. I will hold the memorial ceremony and commemorate my parents' anniversaries with utmost sincerity. I will serve my departed parents as if they are still alive.


出则弟（八）Standards for being a younger brother when away from home
兄道友。弟道恭。兄弟睦。孝在中。
If I am the older sibling, I will befriend the younger ones. If I am the younger sibling, I will respect and love the older ones. Only when I can maintain harmonious relationship with my siblings, then I am dutiful to my parents.

财物轻。怨何生。言语忍。忿自泯。
When I value my familial ties more then property and belongings, no resentment will come between me and my siblings. When I am careful with words and hold back hurtful comments, my feelings of anger naturally die out.

（九）
或饮食。或坐走。长者先。幼者后。
When I am drinking, eating walking or sitting, I will let the elders go first, the younger ones should follow.
长呼人。即代叫。人不在。己即到。
When an elder is asking for someone, I will get that person for him right away. If I cannot find that person, I will immediately report back and put myself at the elders service.

（十）
称尊长。勿呼名。对尊长。勿见能。
When I address an elder, I should not call him by his given name, this is in accord with ancient Chinese etiquette. In front of an elder, I will never show off.

路遇长。疾趋揖。长无言。退恭立。
If I meet an elder I know on the street, I will promptly clasp my hands and greet him with a bow. If he does not speak to me, I will step back and respectfully stand aside.

骑下马。乘下车。过犹待。百步余。
Should I be riding a horse and spot an elder I know walking, I will dismount and pay respect to the elder. If I am riding in a carriage, I will stop, get out of the carriage, and ask if I can give the elder a ride. If I meet an elder passing by, I will stand aside and wait respectfully. I will not leave until the elder disappears from my sight.

（十一）
长者立。幼勿坐。长者坐。命乃坐。
When an elder is standing, I will not sit. After an elder sits down, I sit only when I am told.

尊长前。声要低。低不闻。却非宜。
Before an elder, I will speak softly. But if my voice is too low and hard to hear, it is not appropriate.

进必趋。退必迟。问起对。视勿移。
When meeting an elder, I will walk briskly towards him; when leaving, I will not exit in haste. When answering a question, I will look at the person who is asking me the question.
（十二）
事诸父。如事父。事诸兄。如事兄。
I will serve my uncles as if I am serving my parents. I will treat my cousins as if they are my own siblings.

谨 （十三）Be cautious in my daily life
朝起早。夜眠迟。老易至。惜此时。
I will get up in the morning before my parents; at night, I will go to bed only after they have gone to sleep. When I realize that time is passing-by me and cannot turn back the clock, and that I am getting older year by year,  I will especially treasure the present moment.

晨必盥。兼漱口。便溺回。辄净手。
When I wake up in the morning, I shall wash my face and brush my teeth. After using the toilet, I shall wash my hands.

（十四）
冠必正。纽必结。袜与履。俱紧切。
I must wear my hat straight, and ensure the hooks of my clothes are tied, wear my socks and shoes properly and neatly.

置冠服。有定位。勿乱顿。致污秽。
I will place my hat and clothes away in their proper places. I will not carelessly throw my clothes around, for that will get them dirty.

（十五）
衣贵洁。不贵华。上循分。下称家。
I value clean clothes over extravagant ones. When with an elder or people of importance, I will wear what is suitable. At home, I will wear clothes according to my family traditions and customs.

对饮食。勿拣择。食适可。勿过则。
Don't be picky when it comes to eating/drinking. I will not eat more than the right amount.

年方少。勿饮酒。饮酒醉。最为丑。
I am still too young, I must not drink alcohol. When I am drunk, my behaviour will turn ugly.

（十六）
步从容。立端正。揖深圆。拜恭敬。
I will always walk composed, with light and even steps. I will always stand up straight and tall. My bows should be deep, with hands held in front and arms rounded. I will always pay my respect with reverence.

勿践阈。勿跛倚。勿箕踞。勿摇髀。
I will not step on doorsills or stand leaning on one leg. I will not sit with my legs apart or sprawled out. I will not rock the lower part of my body while sitting down.

（十七）
缓揭帘。勿有声。宽转弯。勿触棱。
I will always lift the curtain slowly and quietly. I must leave myself ample space when I turn so I will not bump into a corner.

执虚器。如执盈。入虚室。如有人。
I will hold carefully empty containers as if they were full. I will enter empty rooms as if they were occupied.

事勿忙。忙多错。勿畏难。勿轻略。
I will avoid doing things in a hurry, as doing things in haste will lead to many mistakes. I should not be afraid of difficult tasks, and I will not become careless when a job is too easy.

斗闹场。绝勿近。邪僻事。绝勿问。
I shall stay away from rowdy places. I will not ask about things that are abnormal or unusual.

（十八）
将入门。问孰存。将上堂。声必扬。
When I am about to enter a main entrance, I must first ask if someone is inside. Before entering a room, I must first make myself heard, so that those inside know someone is approaching.

人问谁。对以名。吾与我。不分明。
If someone asks who I am, I must give my name. To answer "It is me" or "me" is not sufficient.

用人物。须明求。倘不问。即为偷。
Before borrowing things from others, I must ask for permission. If I do not ask, it is equivalent to stealing.

借人物。及时还。后有急。借不难。
When borrowing things from others, I must return them promptly. Subsequently when I have an urgent need, I will not have a problem borrowing again.
信 （十九）Trustworthy
凡出言。信为先。诈与妄。奚可焉。
When I speak, honesty is important. Deceitful words and lies are not allowed.

话说多。不如少。惟其是。勿佞巧。
Rather than talking too much, it is better to speak less. I will speak the truth, I will not twist the facts.

奸巧语。秽污词。市井气。切戒之。
Cunning words, foul language and bad habits must be avoided at all costs.

（二十）
见未真。勿轻言。知未的。勿轻传。
When I have not seen with my own eyes, I will not readily tell others. What I do not know for sure, I will not easily pass on to others.

事非宜。勿轻诺。茍轻诺。进退错。
If I am asked to do something that is inappropriate or bad, I must not agree to it. If I do, I will be doubly wrong.

凡道字。重且舒。勿急疾。勿模糊。
I must speak clearly and to the point. I must not talk too fasts or mumble.

彼说长。此说短。不关己。莫闲管。
Some like to talk about the good points of others, while some like to talk about the faults of others. If it is none of my business, I will not get involved.
（二十一）
见人善。即思齐。纵去远。以渐跻。
When I see others do good deeds, I must think following their example. Even though my own achievements are still far behind those of others, I am getting closer.

见人恶。即内省。有则改。无加警。
When I see others do wrong, I must immediately reflect upon myself. If I have made the same mistake, I will correct it. If not, I will take extra cautious not to make the same mistake.

（二十二）
唯德学。唯才艺。不如人。当自砺。
When my morals, conduct, knowledge, and skills are not as good as others, I will encourage myself to be better.

若衣服。若饮食。不如人。勿生戚。
If the clothes I wear, and the food I eat and drink are not as good as others, I should not be concerned.

（二十三）
闻过怒。闻誉乐。损友来。益友却。
If criticism makes me angry and compliments make me happy , bad company will come my way and good friends will shy away.

闻誉恐。闻过欣。直谅士。渐相亲。
If I am uneasy about compliments and appreciative of criticism, then sincere, understanding and virtuous people will gradually come close to me.

（二十四）
无心非。名为错。有心非。名为恶。
If any mistake I make is inadvertent, it is merely a mistake. If it is done on purpose, however, it is an evil act.

过能改。归于无。倘揜饰。增一辜。
If I correct my mistake and do not repeat it, I no longer own the mistake. If I try to cover it up, I will be doubly wrong.

泛爱众 （二十五）Love all equally

凡是人。皆须爱。天同覆。地同载。
Human beings, regardless of nationality, race, or religion, should be loved equally. We are all sheltered by the same sky and we all live on the same planet earth.

（二十六）
行高者。名自高。人所重。非貌高。
A person of high ideals and morals is highly respected. What people value is not based on outside appearance.

才大者。望自大。人所服。非言大。
A person's outstanding abilities will naturally honor him with a good reputation. Admiration from others does not come from boasting big or praising oneself.

（二十七）
己有能。勿自私。人所能。勿轻訾。
If I am a very capable person, I should use my capabilities for the benefit of others. Other people's competence should never be slandered.

勿谄富。勿骄贫。勿厌故。勿喜新。
I will not flatter the rich, or despise the poor. I will not ignore old friends and take delight in new ones.

人不闲。勿事搅。人不安。勿话扰。
When a person is busy, I will not bother him with matters. When a person's mind is not at ease, I will not bother him with words.

（二十八）
人有短。切莫揭。人有私。切莫说。
If a person has a shortcoming, I will not expose it. If a person has a secret, I will not tell others.

道人善。即是善。人知之。愈思勉。
Praising the goodness of others is a good deed in itself. When people are being praised and approved of, they will be encouraged to try even harder.

扬人恶。即是恶。疾之甚。祸且作。
Spreading rumours about the wrongdoings of others is a wrongdoing in itself. When the harm done has reached the extreme, misfortunes will surely follow.

善相劝。德皆建。过不规。道两亏。
When I encourage another to do good, both of our virtues are built up. If I do not tell another of his faults, we are both wrong.

（二十九）
凡取与。贵分晓。与宜多。取宜少。
Whether I take or give, I need to know the difference between the two. It is better to give more and take less.

将加人。先问己。己不欲。即速止。
When I ask others to do, I must first ask myself if I would be willing to do. If it is not something I would be willing to do, I will not ask others to do it.

恩欲报。怨欲忘。报怨短。报恩长。
I must repay the kindness of others and let go of my resentments. I will spend less time holding grudges and more time paying back the kindness of others.

（三十）
待婢仆。身贵端。虽贵端。慈而宽。
When I am directing maids and servants, I will act honorably and properly. I will also treat them kindly and generously.

势服人。心不然。理服人。方无言。
If I use my influence to make them submissive, their hearts will not be with me. If I can convince them with sound reasoning, they will then have nothing more to say.

亲仁 （三十一）Be close to and learn from people of virtue and compassion

同是人。类不齐。流俗众。仁者希。
We are all human, but we are not the same. Most of us are ordinary, only a very few have great virtues and high moral principles.

果仁者。人多畏。言不讳。色不媚。
A truly virtuous person is greatly respected by others. He will not be afraid to speak the truth and he will not fawn on others.

能亲仁。无限好。德日进。过日少。
If I can be close to and learn from people of great virtue and compassion, I will benefit immensely. My virtues will grow daily and my wrongdoings will lessen day by day.

不亲仁。无限害。小人进。百事坏。
If I choose not to be close to and learn from people of great virtue, I will suffer a great loss. People without virtue will get close to me and nothing I attempt will succed.

余力学文 （三十二）After all the above are accomplished, I should study further and learn literature and art to improve our cultural and spiritual life.

不力行。但学文。长浮华。成何人。
If I do not actively practice what I have learned, but continue to study on the surface, even though my knowledge is increasing, it is only superficial. What kind of person will I be?

但力行。不学文。任己见。昧理真。
If I do apply my knowledge diligently, but stop studying, I will only do things based on my own opinion, thinking it is correct. In fact, what I kow is not the truth.

（三十三）
读书法。有三到。心眼口。信皆要。
There are methods to study correctly. They involve concentration in three areas: my mind, my eyes and my mouth. To believe in what I read is equally important.

方读此。勿慕彼。此未终。彼勿起。
When I begin to read a book, I will not think about another. If I have not completed the book, I will not start another.

宽为限。紧用功。工夫到。滞塞通。
I will give myself lots of time to study, and I will study hard. If I devote enough time and effort, I will thoroughly understand.

心有疑。随札记。就人问。求确义。
If I am in doubt, I will make a note of it. I will ask the person who has the knowledge for the right answer.

（三十四）
房室清。墙壁净。几案洁。笔砚正。
I will keep my room neat, my walls uncluttered and clean; my desk tidy and my brush and inkstone properly placed.

墨磨偏。心不端。字不敬。心先病。
If my ink block is ground tilted to one side, it shows I have a poor state of mind. When words are written carelessly, showing no respect, this shows my state of mind has not been well.

列典籍。有定处。读看毕。还原处。
My books should be classified, placed on the book shelves and in their proper places. After I finish reading a book, I will put it back in its right place where it belongs.

虽有急。卷束齐。有缺坏。就补之。
Even if I am in a hurry, I still must neatly roll up and bind the open bamboo scroll I have been reading. All missing or damaged pages ought to be immediately repaired.

非圣书。屏勿视。蔽聪明。坏心志。
If it is not a book on the teachings of the saints and sages, it should be discarded and not even looked at, such books cna block my intelligence and wisdom, and will undermine my aspirations and sense of direction.

勿自暴。勿自弃。圣与贤。可驯致。
Neither be harsh on myself, nor give up on myself. To be a person of high ideals, moral standards and virtue is something we can all become in time.

弟子规终