《增广贤文》。又名《昔时贤文》《古今贤文》,是中国明代时期编写的道家儿童启蒙书目。书名最早见之于明万历年间的戏曲《牡丹亭》,据此可推知此书最迟写成于万历年间。《增广贤文》集结中国从古到今的各种格言、谚语。后来,经过明、清两代文人的不断增补,才改成现在这个模样,称《增广昔时贤文》,通称《增广贤文》。
《增广贤文·121》 佚名
种麻得麻,
种豆得豆,
天网恢恢,
疏而不漏。
见官莫向前,
做客莫在后。
会数而礼勤,
物薄而情厚。
大事不糊涂,
小事不渗漏。
内藏精明,
外示浑厚。
You will get beans if you sow beans,
You will get melons if you plant melons.
Although they seem large,
Nothing can get through
The meshes of the net of heaven.
Do not go in the front
When meeting an official,
Do not lag behind
When invited for a friends gathering.
Courtesy is practiced a lot
When visits are frequent,
Cheap gifts can represent deep feeling.
Never be muddled on an important affair,
Never neglect a small thing.
Hide your sagacity,
Show your simplicity and honesty.