《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·117》 佚名
传家二字耕与读,
防家二字盗与奸,
倾家二字淫与赌,
过家二字勤与俭。
作种种之阴功,
行时时之方便。
不汲汲于富贵,
不戚戚于贫贱。
素位而行,
不尤不怨。
先达之人可尊也,
不要比媚;
权势之人可远也,
不可侮慢。
What should be prevented in a family
Is theft and adultery,
What should be handed on in a family
Is ploughing and reading.
What ruins a family
Is gambling and prostitution,
What sustains a family
Is thrift and diligence.
Perform good deeds of whatever kind
Without parading them,
Provide people whenever possible
With needed convenience.
To acquire wealth there should be no anxiety,
To get rid of poverty there should be no worry.
Do things compatible with your position,
Blame neither men nor heaven.
Respect a man of great wisdom
But do not fawn upon him,
Keep away from a man of great power
And do not humiliate him.