200 Chinese Moral Maxims tr by Sir John F Davis.pdf

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200 Chinese Moral
Maxims
translated by
Sir John F. Davis
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“Good sayings are like pearls, strung together.
“Inscribe these on the walls of your dwelling,
“and regard them night and day as wholesome admoni-
tions.”
— Ming-sin-paou-kien
published by
Bamboo Delight Company,
P.O. Box 2792,
Saratoga, CA 95070
http://www.bamboo-delight.com
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200 Chinese Moral Maxims
translated by Sir John F. Davis
Macao, China, 1823
(1)
The man of first rate excellence is virtuous independently of
instruction; he of the middling class is so after instruction; the
lowest order of men are vicious in spite of instruction.
(2)
By a long journey we know a horse’s strength; so length of
days shows a man’s heart.
(3)
The spontaneous gifts of heaven are of high value; but the
strength of perseverance gains the prize.
(4)
The generations of men follow each other, as the waves in a
swollen river.
(5)
The heart of a worthless man is as unfixed and changeable as a
mountain stream.
(6)
In the days of affluence always think of poverty; do not let
want come upon you, and make you remember with sorrow the
time of plenty.
(7)
Let us get drunk today while we have wine; the sorrows of
tomorrow may be borne tomorrow.
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(8)
The mind is it’s own place and in itself can make a heaven of
hell, a hell of heaven.
(9)
Prevention is better than a cure.
(10)
Modesty is attended with profit; arrogance brings on
destruction.
(11)
As the twig is bent, the tree’s inclined.
(12)
The same tree may produce sour and sweet fruit; the same
mother may have a virtuous and vicious progeny.
(13)
It is equally criminal in the governor and the governed, to
violate the laws.
(14)
Prosperity and misfortune are common to all times and all
places.
(15)
As the scream of the eagle is heard when she has passed over;
so a man’s name remains after his death.
(16)
Questions of right and wrong (with reference to men’s charac-
ters) are every day arising; if not listened to, they die away of
themselves.
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(17)
If the domestic duties be duly performed, where is the neces-
sity of going afar to burn incense?
(18)
Doubt and distraction are on earth; the brightness of truth, in
heaven.
(19)
Meeting with difficulties, we think of our relations; on the
brink of danger, we rely on our friends.
(20)
Among mortals, who is faultless?
(21)
In learning, age and youth go for nothing; the best informed
takes the precedence.
(22)
Do not love idleness and hate labor; do not be diligent in the
beginning, and in the end lazy.
(23)
Against open crimes, punishments can oppose a barrier; but
secret offences, it is difficult for the laws to reach.
(24)
If there be no faith in our words, of what use are they?
(25)
If riches can be acquired with propriety, then acquire them; but
let not unjust wealth be sought for with violence.
(26)
If there be a want of concord among members of the same
family, other men will take advantage of it to injure them.
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