Guidelines & Principles To Ensure A Happier Today And Tomorrow (Part 3 of 7)

【谨】BEING MINDFUL IN DAILY LIFE

【朝起早。夜眠迟。老易至。惜此时。】
Get up early and go to bed at a reasonable time.
Knowing how time flies, we should treasure every day.


【晨必盥。兼漱口。便溺回。辄净手。】
When we get up, we should wash our face and brush our teeth.
After using the toilet, we should always wash our hands.


【冠必正。纽必结。袜与履。俱紧切。】
Our hat should be properly put on, clothing correctly buttoned, and socks and shoes neatly worn.


【置冠服。有定位。勿乱顿。致污秽。】
We should put our clothes away in their proper places.
We should not leave them lying around for they will get dirty that way.


【衣贵洁。不贵华。上循分。下称家。】
It is more important that our clothes be neat and clean than fashionable and expensive.
We should wear what is suitable and appropriate for our age, and within our family’s means.


【对饮食。勿拣择。食适可。勿过则。】
When eating and drinking, do not be fussy.
Eat only the right amount; do not overeat.


【年方少。勿饮酒。饮酒醉。最为丑。】
When we are young, we should not drink alcohol.
The behavior of those who are drunk is unsightly.


【步从容。立端正。揖深圆。拜恭敬。】
Walk in an unhurried manner and always stand up straight.
Whether greeting friends or elders, do so properly and with respect.


【勿践阈。勿跛倚。勿箕踞。勿摇髀。】
Do not step on doorsills or stand leaning on one leg.
When sitting, do not sprawl or fidget.


【缓揭帘。勿有声。宽转弯。勿触棱。】
When entering a room, we should open the door carefully.
When walking, we should be aware of our surroundings so as to not bump into anything.


【执虚器。如执盈。入虚室。如有人。】
Hold empty containers just as carefully as if they were full.  
Enter empty rooms as if they were occupied.


【事勿忙。忙多错。勿畏难。勿轻略。】
Avoid doing things in a hurry,
since acting in haste will lead to many mistakes.

Do not be afraid of a task that is difficult
or become careless when a job is easy.


【斗闹场。绝勿近。邪僻事。绝勿问。】
Keep away from rowdy places.
Do not be curious about things that are bad or unusual.


【将入门。问孰存。将上堂。声必扬。】
【人问谁。对以名。吾与我。不分明。】
When we are about to enter a house, we should ask if anyone is inside.
As we enter, we should make ourselves heard.

If someone asks who it is, we should say our name,
not “me” because such a reply is not clear.


【用人物。须明求。倘不问。即为偷。】
Before using something that belongs to another,
we should ask for permission.
If we do not ask, it is stealing.


【借人物。及时还。后有急。借不难。】
After we borrow from others, we should return the items on time.
Later, if we have an urgent need, we will be able to easily borrow from them again.