Di Zi Gui (弟子規)
Chapter 3
Be Cautious in My Daily Life
I will get up each morning before my parents; at night, I will go to bed only after my parents have gone to sleep. When I realize that time is passing me by and cannot be turned back, and that I am getting older year by year, I will especially treasure the present moment.(15)
When I get up in the morning, I will wash my face and brush my teeth. After using the toilet, I will always wash my hands.
I must wear my hat straight,(16) and make sure the hooks(17) of my clothes are tied. My socks and shoes should also be worn neatly and correctly.
I will always place my hat and clothes away in their proper places. I will not carelessly throw my clothes around, for that will get them dirty.
It is more important that my clothes are clean, rather than how extravagant they are. I will wear only what is suitable for my station. At home, I will wear clothes according to my family traditions and customs.
When it comes to eating and drinking, I will not pick and choose my food. I will only eat the right amount; I will not over-eat.
I am still young, I must not drink alcohol. When I am drunk, my behavior will turn ugly.
I will always walk composed, with light and even steps. I will always stand up straight and tall. My bows will always be deep, with hands held in front and arms rounded. I will always pay my respect with reverence.(18)
1 will not step on doorsills or stand leaning on one leg. I will not sit with my legs apart or sprawled out. I will not rock the lower part of my body while standing or sitting down.
I will always lift the curtain slowly,(19) and quietly. I must leave myself ample space when I turn so I will not bump into a corner.
I will hold empty containers carefully as if they were full.(20) I will enter empty rooms as if they were occupied.(21)
I will avoid doing things in a hurry, as doing things in haste will lead to many mistakes. I should not be afraid of difficult tasks, and I will not become careless when a job is too easy.
I will keep away from rowdy places. I will not ask about things that are abnormal or unusual.
When I am about to enter a main entrance, I must first ask if someone is inside. Before entering a room, I must first make myself heard, so that those inside know someone is approaching.
If someone asks who I am, I must give my name. To answer `It is me’ or `Me’ is not sufficient.
Before borrowing things from others, I must ask for permission. If I do not ask, it is stealing.
When borrowing things from others, I will return them promptly. Later, if I have an urgent need, I will not have a problem borrowing from them again.
(15) There is an old Chinese proverb: “A unit of time is as precious as a unit of gold, but you cannot buy back one unit of time with one unit of gold.” It means that time is really very precious, as no amount of money can buy time.
(16) Guan means hat. In ancient China, when a male wore a hat, it meant he had attained the age of an adult.
(17) In ancient China, in place of buttons, people used hooks. When dressed, hooks had to be tied.
(18) Bai means paying respect. In ancient China, people paid their respect to others by bowing, holding one hand over the other which is closed, or prostrating themselves on the ground.
(19) In ancient China, curtains were made of bamboo strips woven together. They were used to shelter a room from view.
(20) Even if a container is empty, out of reverence to things whether living or not, one should treat it with respect and handle it with care.
(21) In ancient China, a virtuous man always behaved properly, regardless of whether he was alone or with others.
No copyright whatsoever. All materials on this site can be reproduced in any form for the greater benefit of everyone.
