From the Book of Commandments written by Zhuge Liang during the Three Kingdoms period.
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A gentleman's journey is quiet to cultivate one's morality, and frugal to cultivate one's morality. Not cold, not awake, not quiet, not far away. If you study quietly, you must study. If you don't study, you won't learn widely. If you have no ambition, you can't succeed. Slow can't have vitality, and risk can't have sex. Time goes by, meaning goes by, and then becomes withered, not meeting the world, and staying in a poor house sadly. What will happen?
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People with moral cultivation perfect themselves through meditation and introspection, and cultivate their noble character through thrift and saving money. If they are not pure, they can't be clear and firm about their ambitions. If they are unstable and quiet, they can't work hard to realize their lofty ideals for a long time. To know real knowledge, we must let our body and mind study and discuss peacefully. People's talents are accumulated from continuous learning. Without study, it is difficult to increase one's talents, and without determination, it is difficult to learn.
Indulgence and debauchery, negative neglect can not make the mind cheer up; Hasty adventure and impatience can't cultivate character and noble moral integrity. Over time, the will will wear out, and eventually it will be as old as dead branches and leaves. Such people will not benefit society and will not be used by society. They will only be sadly trapped in their poor home, and it will be too late to go back on their word.
Distinguish and appreciate
This book of commandments not only expounds the ways and methods of self-cultivation, but also points out the relationship between determination and learning. It not only explains the importance of tranquility and indifference, but also points out the harm of indulgence, neglect and extreme impatience. Zhuge Liang is not only strict with his son in general principles, but also shows subtle concern for his children in some specific matters.
In this book of commandments, there is the power of tranquility: "quiet to cultivate one's morality" and "no peace is far away"; Have the power of thrift: "frugality and morality"; Have detached power: "not at home, absent-minded"; Have the power of eager to learn: "if you calm down and study, you must study"; Inspirational power: "no learning and no skills, no learning and no skills"; The power of speed: "If you are slow, you will not get excited"; Strength of character: "Danger can't cure sex"; Have the power to cherish time: "Time goes with the times, meaning goes with time"; Have the power of imagination: "if you become withered, you will not meet this world, you will stay in poverty, where will you return?" ; Have simple power.
There are only dozens of articles in this article, and the information conveyed is much better than a long speech.
Brief introduction of the author
Zhuge Liang (181-23410-8), a native of Yang Du, Xuzhou (now yinan county, Linyi City, Shandong Province), was an outstanding politician, strategist, essayist and calligrapher during the Three Kingdoms period. When he was alive, he was named Hou of Wuxiang. After his death, he pursued loyalty to the marquis of Wuxiang. Because of its military ability, the Eastern Jin regime was posthumously named King Wu Xing.
Representative prose works include An Example and A Book of Commandments. He once invented the wooden ox, the flying horse, the Kongming lantern and so on, and transformed the crossbow, called Zhuge Lian crossbow, which can hit all targets with one crossbow. In the twelfth year (234), Yu Jianxing died in Wuzhangyuan (now Qishan, Baoji).
Liu Chan regarded him as a loyal minister, so later generations often referred to Zhuge Liang as a loyal minister and Zhuge Wuhou. Zhuge Liang did his best and died. He is a representative of loyal officials and wise men in China traditional culture.