Guidelines for Being a Good Person 弟 子 規 Guidelines for Being a Good Person

弟子規　聖人訓 Guidelines for Being a Good Person was written by ancient Chinese sages. It teaches us the standards for being a good human being.

首孝弟 次謹信 First, it teaches us to respect and love our parents, and to be kind to our siblings. Second, it teaches how to interact with people and engage in daily tasks. It also teaches us to be a trustworthy person.

泛愛眾 而親仁 Furthermore, it teaches us to love all beings and to be close to kind, virtuous people.

有餘力　則學文 Having learned how to do all these, we can expand our horizons by studying the arts and literature.

Respecting and Loving our Parents at Home 入 則 孝 Chapter 1 Respecting and Loving our Parents at Home

父母呼 應勿緩 父母命 行勿懶 When our parents call us, we should answer them right away. When they tell us to do something, we should do it promptly.

父母教 須敬聽 父母責 須順承 When our parents instruct us, we should listen respectfully. When they scold us, we should sincerely accept what they say.

冬則溫 We should make sure that our parents are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. 夏則凊

In the morning, we should greet them and show them that we care. At night, we should make sure that they are resting comfortably. 晨則省 昏則定

出必告 反必面 Before going out, we should let our parents know. When we return, we should tell them that we are back.

居有常 業無變 We should lead a routine life, and we should not be constantly changing our mind in whatever we do.

事雖小 勿擅為 苟擅為 子道虧 Even when a matter is trivial, we should not act without permission or just do as we please. If we do so, then we are no longer a dutiful child.

物雖小勿私藏苟私藏　親心傷 We should not hide any possession, no matter how small, from our parents. If we do, they will feel hurt.

親所好 力為具 親所惡 謹為去 When something pleases our parents [and is proper], we should try our best to provide it for them. When something displeases them, we should remove it.

身有傷 貽親憂 德有傷 貽親羞 If we injure ourselves, we will make our parents worry. If we do something unvirtuous, they will feel ashamed.

親愛我 孝何難 親憎我 孝方賢 When our parents love us, it is easy to be respectful and loving. When they do not love us, respecting and loving them means we have a noble heart.

親有過 諫使更 怡吾色 柔吾聲 If our parents do something wrong, we should urge them to change. Do so with a kind expression and caring voice.

諫不入 悅復諫 號泣隨 撻無怨 Should our parents not accept our advice, try again when they are in a better mood. If they still do not listen, our sincere tears will show them how deeply we care. Should they get angry with us, do not hold it against them.

親有疾 藥先嘗 晝夜侍 不離床 When our parents are ill, we should make sure that they take the right medicine. Care for them night and day, and do not leave them alone.

喪三年 常悲咽 居處變 酒肉絕 For three years after our parent’s passing, we should remember them in sadness. We should live simply and not adorn our home. Avoid merry-making, meat, and alcohol.

喪盡禮 祭盡誠 事死者 如事生 We should arrange our parent’s funeral in a proper manner. We should always honor them as if they were still alive and, especially on the anniversary of their death, remember them with a sincere heart .

Interacting with Others 出 則 弟 Chapter 2 Interacting with Others When Away from Home

兄道友 弟道恭 兄弟睦 孝在中 Older siblings should love and care for the younger ones; younger siblings should love and respect the older ones. Getting along well with one’s siblings is a sign of respecting one’s parents and caring that they are happy.

財物輕 怨何生 言語忍 忿自泯 When siblings value family ties more than possessions, resentment will not arise. When siblings are careful with their words, feelings of anger naturally dissolve.

或飲食 或坐走 長者先 幼者後 When drinking, eating, walking, or sitting, let the elders do so first; younger ones follow.

長呼人 即代叫 人不在 己即到 When an elder is asking for someone, find that person right away. If we cannot find that person, we should immediately report back and ask if we can help instead.

稱尊長 勿呼名 對尊長 勿見能 When addressing an elder, do not call him by his first name. When in the presence of an elder, do not show off.

路遇長 疾趨揖 長無言 退恭立 When meeting an elder whom we know, greet him promptly and respectfully. If he does not greet us in return, respectfully stand aside.

騎下馬 乘下車 過猶待 百步餘 If we are in a vehicle and see an elder whom we know passing by, we should get out and greet him [if the situation safely allows]. We continue on our way only after the elder has left us.

長者立 幼勿坐 長者坐 命乃坐 When an elder is standing, do not sit. After an elder sits down, sit only when invited to do so.

尊長前 聲要低 低不聞 卻非宜 Before an elder, speak softly. But if our voice is too low and hard to hear, we are being improper.

進必趨 退必遲 問起對 視勿移 When meeting an elder, walk briskly towards him; when leaving, do not do so in haste. When answering a question, look attentively at the person.

事諸父 如事父 事諸兄 如事兄 We should regard our aunts and uncles as if they were our parents, and our cousins as if they were our siblings.