Thousand Characters

Chapter 17

[Original text]

A ruler and a jade are not treasures, but an inch of yin is competition.Zifu serves the emperor, saying strictness and respect.

【Note】

Ruler: A unit of measurement, about 0.333 meters.Bi: Refers to a jade ring with a flat and round shape and a hollow center. Later, it was also used to refer to fine jade.Inch: ancient Chinese unit of measurement.Yin: Here refers to time, which is time.Yan: Meticulous.Respect: pious, respectful.The first two sentences of these four sentences tell us that in this world, time that is gone forever is the most precious.As the saying goes, "An inch of time is an inch of gold", we should take good care of and cherish our beautiful youth, and try to do something meaningful.The last two sentences say that when dealing with the relationship between the king and ministers, father and son, the attitude of the minister and the son must be serious and careful.This serious and careful attitude should not only be manifested in speech and manner, but also a kind of respect from the heart.

【Interpretation】

Compared with time, a one-foot-square beautiful jade is not a real treasure, and the fleeting time is really worth cherishing and grasping.The basic requirements for supporting parents and serving the king are the same, and we must be meticulous, pious and respectful.

(End of this chapter)