《论语》四则

• 子曰：“道千乘之国，敬事而信，节用而爱人，使民以时。”

In a country of a thousand war-chariots,said the Master, the ruler should be respectful in deed and faithful in word, thrifty in expenditure and affectionate towards the people and tell them to labor at the proper times of the year.

• 林放问礼之本。子曰：“大哉问！礼，与其奢也，宁俭；丧，与其易也，宁戚。”

Lin Fang asked about the fundamental of the rites. “A significant question!” said the Master. “In ritual performance,it would be better to be thrift than lavish; inmourning service, it would be better to be deep in grief than minute in observance.”

• 子曰：“奢则不孙，俭则固。与其不孙也，宁固。”

Extravagance, said the Master, leads to insubordination, and frugality to obstinacy. Butit would be far better to be obstinate than to be insubordinate.

• 子曰：“饭疏食饮水，曲肱而枕之，乐亦在其中矣。不义而富且贵，于我如浮云。”

There is delight, said the Master, inplain food and water while pillowing the head on the arm. I would keep ill-gotten wealth and rank as far away asfloating cloud.

《道德经》：我恒有三宝，持而宝之：一曰慈，二曰俭，三曰不敢为天下先。夫慈，故能勇，俭，故能广；不敢为天下先，故能为成器长。今舍其慈，且勇；舍其俭，且广；舍其后，且先；则死矣！夫慈，以战则胜，以守则固。天将建之， 如以慈垣之。

I have three treasures which I hold and keep: the first is magnanimity, the second is frugality,and the third is humility to be the last of the world. The magnanimous can be courageous,the frugal can be generous, the humble last of the world can become leader of the people. For courage without magnanimity,generosity without frugality, the front without the rear are doomed to failure.The magnanimous will be victorious in war and steadfast in defence. Heaven would favor them and protect them with magnanimity.

《诫子书》

• 夫君子之行，静以修身，俭以养德。非淡泊无以明志，非宁静无以致远。

This is a way of life for a man of virtue: to cultivate his character by keeping a peaceful mind, and nourish his morality by a frugal living. Only freedom from vanity can show one's lofty goal of life; and only peace of mind can helphim to achieve something lasting.