弟子规全文英语版(4)

第四章 信

Chapter 4 On Being Honest

Chapter 4 Be Trustworthy

Whatever it is that you say,

You should speak so that you can be trusted.

When I speak,

honesty is important.

Tell the truth so others can believe you.

To lie is against human nature.

Deceitful words and lies

must not be tolerated.

To talk just a little is better

Than to chatter non-stop all day long.

Rather than talking too much,

it is better to speak less.

Talk only about what you’re sure of;

Avoid cunning or flowery words.

I will speak only the truth,

I will not twist the facts.

Don’t use words to be mean and cruel,

Or speak about things that are coarse.

Cunning words,

foul language, and

Let your language be pure and correct.

Stay away from all that’s unworthy.

philistine habits

must be avoided at all costs.

If you haven’t seen something quite clearly,

Don’t speak of it as if you know.

What I have not seen with my own eyes,

I will not readily tell to others.

If you’re not sure about what exactly happened,

Don’t spread rumors around.

What I do not know for sure,

I will not easily pass on to others.

When you know something is wrong,

Do not simply follow along.

If I am asked to do something that is inappropriate or bad,

I must not agree to do it.

If you just go along with the crowd,

You’re bound to make a mistake.

If I do, I will be doubly wrong.

When you speak, say the words clearly;

Distinctly and smoothly they flow.

I must speak

clearly and to the point.

If you talk too fast, no one will heed you;

The same if you mumble too low.

I must not talk too fast

or mumble.

Some like to talk about good points,

Others like to find faults, big and small.

Some like to talk about the good points of others,

while some like to talk about the faults of others.

If something is none of your business,

Simply pay no attention at all.

If it is none of my business,

I will not get involved.

When you see the good points of others, You should strive to imitate them.
Though you don’t match up to them now. Persevere and one day you’ll catch up.

When I see others do good deeds,

I must think about following their example.

Though you don’t match up to them now. Persevere and one day you’ll catch up.

Even though my own achievements are still far behind those of others,

I am getting closer.

When you notice bad habits in others,

Reflect on your own shortcomings.

When I see others do wrong,

I must immediately reflect upon myself.

If you have the same faults, correct them.

If not, never let them arise.

If I have made the same mistake, I will correct it.

If not, I will take extra care to not make the same mistake.

If your virtue, learning and talents

Don’t measure up to others,

When my morals, conduct, knowledge,

and skills

Then spur yourself to work harder.

Accept nothing less than your best.

seem not as good as those of others,

I will encourage myself to be better.

If your wardrobe is seldom in fashion

And your home is simple and plain,

If the clothes I wear,

and the food I eat and drink

While your friends have the newest and finest,

Don’t be upset and never complain.

are not as good as that of others,

I should not be concerned.

If you’re angry when told of your faults,

And happy when praise comes your way,

If criticism makes me angry and

compliments make me happy,

Harmful friends will draw near you,

And wholesome friends will stay away.

bad company will come my way and

good friends will shy away.

If compliments make you uneasy

And hearing your faults makes you glad,

If I am uneasy about compliments and

appreciative of criticism,

Forgiving and straightforward friends

Will then gradually come to your side.

then sincere, understanding, and virtuous people

will gradually come close to me.

When an error is not made on purpose,

It is simply called a mistake.

If any mistake I make is inadvertent,

it is merely a mistake.

But to deliberately do something wrong,

Is not a mistake, but an evil.

If it is done on purpose, however,

it is an evil act.

If you can reform your offenses,

Your faults will all disappear.

If I correct my mistake and do not repeat it,

I no longer own the mistake.

But trying to cover them over

Makes your offenses more severe.

If I try to cover it up,

I will be doubly wrong.