南海潮歌

                    弟子规（简体、英语）

弟 子 规 (STANDARDS FOR STUDENTS)

总 叙 (Preface Outline)

弟子规 圣人训 首孝悌 次谨信

These standards for students are guidelines, handed down to us by Ancient Stages.

First, obey and care for your parents, and then practice true brotherhood.

泛爱众 而亲仁 有余力 则学文

Learn to be careful and honest, and cherish all living beings.

Draw near to good-hearted people, and study whenever you can.

第一章 入 则 孝 (On Being Filial At Home)

父母呼 应勿缓 父母命 行勿懒

When mother and father are calling, answer them right away.

When they give you instructions, obey them without hesitation. 

父母教 须敬听 父母责 须顺承

When your parents need to instruct you, respectfully do as you’re told.

Whenever your parents must scold you, acknowledge your errors and faults.

冬则暖 夏则凉 晨则省 昏则定

In the winter make sure they are warm, in the summer make sure they are cool.

Each morning cheerfully greet them, at night see their rest is secure.

出必告 返必面 居有常 业无变

Before going out , tell your parents. Let them know when you come in.

Settle peacefully in your home, and finish what you begin.

事虽小 勿擅为 苟擅为 子道亏

No matter how small the affair , don’t just do as you please.

If you act just as you please, then you’ve not been a dutiful child.

物虽小 勿私藏 苟私藏 亲心伤

When good things ,though small , come your way. Give your family their rightful share first.

If you hoard up the best for yourself, kinfolk’s feelings are sure to be hurt.

亲所好 力为具 亲所恶 谨为去

Whatever your parents enjoy, do all you can to provide.

Whatever your parents dislike, you should earnestly cast aside.

身有伤 贻亲优 德有伤 贻亲羞

Whenever you injure your body , your parents feel grief and alarm .

Whenever you damage your virtue , your family’s good name comes to harm . 

亲爱我 孝何难 亲憎我 孝方贤

When parents have loving regard . Obeying them is not hard ,

Parents who are hateful and cruel , test the worth of one filial heart . 

亲有过 谏使更 怡吾色 柔吾声

When your parents do something wrong , exhort them to change for the better .

On your face a kind expression , in your voice a gentle tone .

谏不入 悦复谏 号泣随 挞无怨

If they cannot accept your advice , kindly tell them again .

Or use tears to move them with feelings . If punished , you never complain .

亲有疾 药先尝 昼夜侍 不离床

When parents are ill , call the doctor ，be sure the prescription is right .

Wait on them day after day , at their bedside by day and by night .

丧三年 常悲咽 居处变 酒肉绝

For three years after their passing , remember them always in sorrow .

Don’t go to parties and shows , and don’t eat meat or drink liquor . 

丧尽礼 祭尽诚 事死者 如事生

See to the funeral arrangements , honor your family ties .

Serve your departed ancestors , as you honor your kin while alive . 

第二章 出 则 悌 (On Practicing True Brotherhood)

兄道友 弟道恭 兄弟睦 孝在中

When all the brothers are friendly, and sisters show respect,

the harmony blessing these children, is a sign of the Filial Way. 

财物轻 怨何生 言语忍 忿自泯

If wealth is not viewed as essential, how could resentment arise?

When words are both gentle and patient, bad feeling will soon disappear. 

或饮食 或坐走 长者先 幼者后

When people are eating and drinking, or when it is time to sit down,

Let those who are older go first; The young ones should follow behind.

长人呼 即代叫 人不在 己先到

If an elder is looking for someone, you run the errand instead. If the

Person you seek can’t be found, return and offer to help in his place.

称尊长 勿呼名 对尊长 勿现能

In speaking to those who are older, use the right term of respect.

When facing your teachers and elders, don’t show off or try to look smart.

长者立 幼勿坐 长者坐 命乃坐

When an older person is standing, children should not take a seat.

But wait till the elder is seated, and then sit when you are told.

进必趋 退必迟 问起对 视勿移

Be swift when it’s time to move forward ; go last when it’s time to return.

Stand up to answer when questioned, your gaze held steady and calm.

第三章 谨 （On Being Careful）

朝起早 夜眠迟 老易至 惜此时

In the morning it’s best to rise early, at night you should go to bed late.

Cherish the time that is left you, don’t expect that older age will wait.

衣贵洁 不贵华 上循分 下循家

What matters with clothes is they’re clean, not whether they’re stylish or fine.

Wear what is suitable for you, accords with your status and means.

对饮食 勿拣择 食适可 勿过则

Don’t get attached to good flavors, or pick out the best foods and drink.

Eat just enough to get full, and never take more than you need.

年方少 勿饮酒 饮酒醉 最为丑

Whatever your age or position, don’t drink liquor or take harmful drugs.

Drunks are disgraceful and ugly, drugs bring you misery and shame.

步从容 立端正 揖深圆 拜恭敬

Your walk should be easy and graceful, stand with your back tall and straight.

Salute other people sincerely, make full bows with respect.

缓揭廉 勿有声 宽转弯 勿触棱

When you open a door, best be careful, do it gently, without too much noise.

Go wide when you’re turning a corner, don’t trip on the legs of the chairs.

事勿忙 忙多错 勿畏难 勿轻略

Avoid doing things in a hurry, haste leads to many mistakes.

Neither fear the difficult jobs, nor skip over simpler chores. 

斗闹场 绝毋近 邪僻事 绝无声

Never go near rowdy place, or where you see fight going on.

Gossip about things improper, is better not to pass on.

将入门 问谁存 将上堂 声必扬

Before you step through a doorway, ask first if there’s someone inside.

Then when you enter the room, raise your voice to show you’ve arrived.

人问谁 对以名 勿与我 不分明

If someone should ask who you are, never respond, “It is me .”

Answer by giving your name, or you’ve not make a clear reply.

用人物 须明求 倘不问 即为偷

Be sure that you first get permission, before using people’s possessions.

If you use it but don’t ask the owner, then stealing is what you have done. 

借人物 及时还 人借物 有勿悭

If you borrow an item from someone, make sure you return it in time.

When people ask you for something, loan it to them whenever you can.