弟子规全文中文英文对照版(2)

号泣随。挞无怨。

You may even use tears to exhort them,

But don’t resent it if you are punished.

followed by crying, if necessary, to make them understand.

If they end up whipping me I will not hold a grudge against them.

亲有疾。药先尝。

When your parents are ill, call the doctor,

Be sure the prescription is right.

When my parents are ill,

I will taste the medicine first before giving it to them.

昼夜侍。不离床。

Wait on them day after day,

At their bedside by day and by night.

I will take care of them night and day and

stay by their bedside.

丧三年。常悲咽。

For three years after their death,

Remember them always in sorrow.

During the first three years of mourning after my parents have passed away,

I will remember them with gratitude and feel sad often for not being able to repay them for their kindness in raising me.

居处变。酒肉绝。

During this period of mourning,

Don’t drink wine or eat meat.

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 drinks.

丧尽礼。祭尽诚。

Take care of their funeral arrangements,

Make offerings on their behalf.

I will observe proper etiquette in arranging my parents’ funerals.

I will hold the memorial ceremony and commemorate my parents’ anniversaries with utmost sincerity.

事死者。如事生。

Reverently cherish their memory

As if they were still in the world.

I will serve my departed parents

as if they were still alive.

第二章 出则悌

Chapter 2 On Practicing True Brotherhood

Chapter 2 Standards for Brothers At Home or Away from Home

兄道友。弟道恭。

When the older children are friendly

And the younger children respectful,

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.

兄弟睦。孝在中。

Then brothers and sisters won’t fight,

And it’s clear they know how to be filial.

Only when I can maintain harmonious relationships with my siblings

am I being dutiful to my parents.

财物轻。怨何生。

Don’t think of wealth as important,

Or else you will feel resentful.

When I value my familial ties more than property and belongings,

no resentment will come between me and my siblings.

言语忍。忿自泯。

When talking to others, be patient,

Then you won’t be troubled by anger.

When I am careful with words and hold back hurtful comments,

my feelings of anger naturally die out.

或饮食。或坐走。

When people are eating or drinking,

Sitting down or taking a walk,

Whether you are drinking, eating,

walking, or sitting,

长者先。幼者后。

Let those who are older go first.

The young ones should follow behind.

I will let the elders go first;

the younger ones should follow.

长呼人。即代叫。

If an elder is looking for someone,

You should run the errand instead.

When an elder is asking for someone,

I will get that person for him right away.

人不在。己即到。

If the person you seek can’t be found,

Hurry back and report what you’ve learned.

If I cannot find that person,

I will immediately report back, and put myself at the elder’s service instead.

称尊长。勿呼名。

In speaking to those who are older,

Use the proper terms of respect.

When I address an elder,

I should not call him by his given name. This is in accord with ancient Chinese etiquette.

对尊长。勿见能。

When you are facing teachers and elders,

Don’t show off or try to look smart.

In front of an elder,

I will never show off.

路遇长。疾趋揖。

If you meet an elder while walking,

Greet him or her with respect.

If I meet an elder I know on the street,

I will promptly clasp my hands and greet him with a bow.

长无言。退恭立。

If the elder does not address you,

Respectfully stand to one side.

If he does not speak to me,

I will step back and respectfully stand aside.