Chapter 4

第四节

Be Trustworthy

信

When you speak,

凡出言，

honesty is important.

信为先，

Deceitful words and lies are not allowed.

诈与妄，奚可焉，

Rather than talking too much,

话说多，

it is better to speak less.

不如少，

Speak the truth,

惟其是，

do not twist the facts.

勿佞巧。

Cunning words,

奸巧语，

foul language,

秽污词，

and bad habits must be avoided at all costs.

市井气，切戒之。

What you have not seen with your own eyes,

见未真，

do not readily tell to others.

勿轻言，

What you do not know for sure,

知未的，

do not readily pass on to others.

勿轻传，

When asked to do something that is inappropriate or bad,

事非宜，

do not promise lightly.

勿轻诺，

If you do, you will be wrong either way.

苟轻诺，进退错。

When speaking,

凡道字，

make the words clear and to the point.

重且舒，

Do not talk too fast or mumble.

勿急疾，勿模糊。

Some like to talk about the good points of others,

彼说长，

while some like to talk about the faults of others.

此说短，

If it is none of your business,

不关己，

do not get involved.

莫闲管。

When you see others do good deeds,

见人善，

think about following their example.

即思齐，

Even though you are still far behind,

纵去远，

you are getting closer.

以渐跻。

When you see others do wrong,

见人恶，

immediately reflect upon yourself.

即内省，

If you have made the same mistake, correct it.

有则改，

If not, be extra cautious not to make the same mistake.

无加警。