朱子家訓品讀大綱

（１）一粥一飯，當思來之不易。
　　　半絲半縷，恆念物力維艱。
　　　The growing of rice and of grain
　　　Think on whenever you dine;
　　　Remember how silk is obtained
　　　Which keeps you warm and looks fine.

（２）宜未雨而綢繆，勿臨渴而掘井。
　　　In periods of drought
　　　Wise birds mend their nest
　　　So when the clouds burst
　　　They snugly may rest;
　　　Never be the fool
　　　Who starts to dig a well in the ground
　　　When he wants a drink of water
　　　And water can’t be found.

（３）與肩挑貿易毋佔便宜，
　　　與貧苦親鄰須加溫恤。
　　　Bargain you not with the traveler who vends;
　　　Share of your wealth with your neighbors and friends.

（４）居家戒爭訟，訟則終兇；
　　　處世戒多言，言多必失。
　　　Don’t take into court your family disputes,
　　　Unpleasant endings emerge from lawsuits;
　　　To comport yourself well in society,
　　　Restrain loose tongue’s impropriety.

（５）勿恃權勢而凌孤寡；
　　　勿貪口腹而恣殺性。
　　　Use not your bow and arrow
　　　To bully orphan and widow.
　　　Do not dumb animals slaughter at will
　　　Your appetite greedy to over fulfill.

（６）乖僻自是，悔悟必多；
　　　頹惰自甘，家園終替。
　　　Egocentric people grow
　　　Much regret and sorrow;
　　　Lazy, slothful people sow
　　　Poverty tomorrow.

（７）施惠勿念；受恩莫忘。
　　　In proclaiming your virtues go slow;
　　　And be mindful of mercy you own.

（８）凡事當留餘地，
　　　得意不宜再往。
　　　Leave room for retreat
　　　When trying new feat.
　　　You will try, try in vain
　　　To repeat windfall gain.

（９）人有喜慶，不可生忌妒心；
　　　人有禍患，不可生欣幸心。
　　　Don’t envy other’s success;
　　　Don’t gloat o’er other’s distress.
　　　(注：o’er即over，爲了譯文的音律而採用縮略的形式)

（10）善欲人見，不是真善；
　　　惡恐人知，便是大惡。
　　　To brag of the good you have done
　　　Will never impress anyone.
　　　Personal scandals you try hard to hide
　　　Will soon be known far and wide.