University · Moderate

Chapter 10 Interpretation of "Cultivating the Body and Regulating the Family"
[Original text]

The so-called Qi Qijia, who is cultivating his body.People are loved and loved, they are hated, they are despised, they are hated, they are revered, they are mourned, they are lazy, they are lazy.Therefore, those who are good but know their evil, and those who are evil but know their beauty are rare in the world!

Therefore, there is a proverb that says: "A man does not know the evil of his son, nor does he know the size of his seedlings⑤."

This means that if one does not cultivate one's body, one cannot keep one's family in order.

【Note】

①zhi: Same as "yu", meaning "for".Pi: Prejudice.

②Bad and evil: refers to the person who despises and hates.

③ mourning: sympathy, pity.

④ Ao lazy: Ao, Tong "肖" (ào), arrogant.lazy, slack.

⑤Shuo: The original meaning is big head, extended to big.This is what it means to thrive.

【Translation】

It is said that if you want to cure the family, the key is to cultivate your own moral character first.What's the point?People tend to be partial to those they are close to and love; they are often biased towards those they despise and hate; they are often biased towards those they respect; Those who are thought to be proud and lazy are often more prejudiced.Therefore, while liking a certain person, one can recognize his shortcomings; while hating a certain person, one can also understand his strengths. Such a person is rare in the world!

So there is a proverb that goes like this: "He who spoils his children does not realize their faults and mistakes, and a greedy person will not satisfy his well-growthed seedlings."

This is the reason that if you don't cultivate your own moral character, you can't heal your family.

[Zhu Xi Tips]

The eight chapters of the right biography explain "self-cultivation and family harmony".

【Translation】

Zhu Xi said that the above paragraph is Chapter 8 of Chuanwen, which explains "self-cultivation and family harmony".

(End of this chapter)