信
This is the fourth major chapter for students. 'Xin' is about when a person comes into contact with people in society, language, behavior when speaking about faith, and keeping one's word. Words are the first step.
凡出言信为先
诈与妄奚可焉
Every word spoken should first be true and not false, one should pay attention to the words credit. Telling a lie, deceiving people, and talking nonsense are all unacceptable.
话说多不如少
惟其是勿佞巧
Speaking a lot isn't as good as speaking a little, because if you speak a lot there are more mistakes. One should speak an appropriate amount. One mustn't smooth talk. Otherwise other people will dislike you.
奸巧语秽污词
市井气切戒之
You mustn't say things that are hypocritical, deceitful, bitterly sarcastic, or dirty and filthy. Flattering others is an obscene and money grabbing bad habit, and will fail.
见未真勿轻言
知未的勿轻传
When things aren't made clear, one shouldn't do as he/she wishes and announce his/her opinion and talk nonsense. If one hears things without basis, one shouldn't lightly and freely tell others, as it could have bad results.
事非宜勿轻诺
苟轻诺进退错
If you don't think things are appropriate don't freely make promises with other people. If you easily promise other people you could be in a dilemma.
凡道字重且舒
勿急疾勿模糊
When speaking, enunciate, speak slowly, don't speak too quickly, don't say vague and careless things to avoid being unintelligible.
彼说长此说短
不关己莫闲管
If you employer gossips or other people gossip, other peoples matters are hard to see clearly. If it doesn't concern you then do not get involved. Otherwise, you don't just confuse other people, you also harm your own moral conduct.
见人善即思齐
纵去远以渐跻
When you see someone else's virtuous behavior, you should work hard to do the same. Even if, you are far below them, you should be willing to work hard, and gradually you can catch up with them.
见人恶即内省
有则改无加警
When you see someone doing bad deeds, you should immediately question oneself, if you discover you also have these behaviors, you should immediately correct them; if you don't have them, you should watch out and prevent yourself from committing these types of faults.
唯德学唯才艺
不如人当自励
In virtue, learning, ability and skills, if these aspects aren't as good as other people's, you should continually encourage oneself and try ones hardest to catch up.
若衣服若饮食
不如人无生戚
If what you eat and wear isn't as a good as other people, you shouldn't be depressed and sad. These aren't glorious things, because the most important thing is the accomplishment of moral character.
闻过怒闻誉乐
损友来益友却
If you get angry when hearing other people speaking about your faults, and become happy when hearing them praise and flatter you, harmful friends will approach you, and beneficial friends will go away.
闻誉恐闻过欣
直谅士渐相亲
If you become fearful when hearing praise and overjoyed upon hearing about your faults. If you do this day-to-day, then true and honest people will gradually draw close.
无心非名为错
有心非名为恶
If you have no intention of making a mistake, then it is a mistake. If you deliberately go and make a mistake, this is evil.
过能改归于无
倘掩饰增一辜
You should have the courage to face your past mistakes and to correct them. It will be as if it didn't happen. If you do not recognize your past mistakes, and do the utmost to conceal them, then you will feel guilty.
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