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Zhū Bólú 朱柏卢 lived in Jiāngsū 江苏 Province from 1617 to 1688 and was officially commended for his grasp of moral behavior.
"Zhū Bólú's Maxims for Managing the Home" 朱柏卢之治家格言 was prepared with the intent to spread morality like jam over the land, and Zhū came to be called "Master Zhū" (朱子). Hence the text is also popularly called "Master Zhū's 'Maxims for the Home.'" (朱子家顺).
Today it is one of the most commonly reprinted of the classical popular morality tracts. Copies are frequently distributed free in temples, but it is also typically included as an appendix to almanacs, or in small collections of morality literature.
| Zhū Bólú's Maxims for Managing the Home |
朱柏卢之治家格言
朱柏盧之治家格言 Zhū Bólú zhi Zhìjiā Géyán |
| 1. At dawn get up immediately, sprinkle and sweep the hall & porch, so that inside and outside are tidy and clean. |
梨明即起，洒扫庭、除，要内外整洁。
梨明即起，灑掃庭、除，要內外整潔。 Límíng jí qĭ săsăo tíng, chú, yào nèiwài zhĕng jié. |
| 2. Then go to bed at dusk, and personally close and lock the doors. |
既昏便息。关锁门户必自捡典。
既昏便息。關鎖門戶必自撿典。 Jì hūn biàn xí. Guān, suŏ ménhù, bì qīn zì jiăndiăn. |
| 3. With each bowl of gruel or rice you should recall that its production is not easy. |
一粥一饭当思来处不易。
一粥一飯當思來處不易。 Yì zhōu, yí fàn, dāng sī láichù bú yì. |
| 4. With each half length of silk or hemp, always remember "to make a thing is very hard." |
半丝半缕恒念物力维艰。
半絲半縷恆念物力維艱。 Bàn sī, bàn lyŭ, héng niàn wù lì wéi jiān. |
| 5. It is good to make preparations before it rains; don't wait for thirst before you dig a well. |
宜未雨而绸缪。毋临渴而掘井。
宜未雨而綢繆。毋臨渴而掘井。 Yí wèi yŭ ér chóumóu. Wú lín kĕ ér jué jĭng. |
| 6. Be frugal in your comforts for yourself; when a guest do not prolong your stay. |
自奉必须俭约。宴客切勿留连。
自奉必須儉約。宴客切勿留連。 Zì fèng bìxū jiănyuē. Yàn kè qièwù liúlián. |
| 7. If utensils are of good quality and clean, then pottery is better than gold or jade. |
器具质而洁，瓦缶胜金玉。
器具質而潔，瓦缶勝金玉。 Qìjyù zhí ér jié wăfŏu shèng jīn yù. |
| 8. Drink and food should be simple, and well-prepared garden vegetables are better than precious delicacies. |
饮、食约而精，园菽愈珍羞。
飲、食約而精，園菽愈珍羞。 Yĭn-shí yuē ér jīng yuán shū yù zhēn-xiū. |
| 9. Do not build a gorgeous house. Do not scheme for choice lands. |
勿营华屋。勿谋良田。
勿營華屋。勿謀良田。 Wù yíng huá wū. Wù móu liáng tián. |
| 10. The "three types of nuns and six kinds of old crones" are introducers of promiscuity and theft.* |
三姑、六婆，实淫、盗之媒。
三姑、六婆，實淫、盜之媒。 Sān gū, liù pó, shí yín-dào zhi méi. |
*-"Three types of nuns and six kinds of crones" 三六婆姑 is a traditional Chinese expression referring collectively to extra-familial female trouble makers. They are traditionally enumerated as follows:
- Three Types of Nuns (sān gū 三姑)
- Buddhist nuns ní (ní 尼)
- Daoist nuns (dào 道)
- female fortune tellers (guà 卦)
- Six Kinds of Crones: (liù pó 六婆)
- brokeresses (yá 牙)
- match-makers (méi 媒)
- spirit mediums (shī 师/師)
- women who pray in exchange for money (qián 虔)
- herbalists (yào 药/藥)
- midwives (wĕn 稳/穩)
| 11. When the maids are beautiful and the concubines charming, this is not a blessing in the women's quarters. |
婢美、妾娇非闺房之福。
婢美、妾嬌非閨房之福。 Bì mĕi, qiè jiāo, fēi guīfáng zhi fú. |
| 12. For servants, don't employ handsome boys. |
童仆勿用俊美。
童僕勿用俊美。 Tóngpú wù yòng jyūnmĕi. |
| 13. Wives and concubines must avoid beautiful clothing. |
妻、妾切忌艳妆。
妻、妾切忌艷妝。 Qī, qiè qiè jì yàn zhuāng. |
| 14. Although ancestors are remote, they may not be worshipped insincerely. |
祖宗虽远，祭祀不可不诚。
祖宗雖遠，祭祀不可不誠。 Zŭzōng súi yuăn, jìsì bù kĕ bù chéng. |
| 15. Although children and grandchildren be simple, they must read the Classics. |
子、孙虽愚，经书不可不读。
子、孫雖愚，經書不可不讀。 Zĭ, sūn súi yú, jīngshū bù kĕ bù dú. |
| 16. Personal habits must be simple; children must be taught by righteous methods. |
居身务期俭朴。教子要有义方。
居身務期儉樸。教子要有義方。 Jūshēn wù qí jiănpú. Jiào zĭ yào yŏu yì fāng. |
| 17. Do not seek unexpected wealth; do not drink beyond your capacity. |
勿贪意外之财。莫饮过量之酒。
勿貪意外之財。莫飲過量之酒。 Wù tān yìwài zhi cái. Mò yĭn guòliàng zhi jiŭ. |
| 18. Do not take advantage of a vendor as he carries his wares on a shoulder pole. |
与肩挑贸易毋占便宜。
與肩挑貿易毋佔便宜。 Yŭ jiān tiăo màoyì wú zhàn piányí. |
| 19. On meeting relatives and neighbors who are poor or in distress, show kindness and compassion. |
见贫、苦亲、邻须多温恤。
見貧、苦親、鄰須多溫恤。 Jiàn pín-kŭ qīn-lín xū duō wēnxù. |
| 20. A family founded in meanness will not long prevail. |
刻簿成家理无久享。
刻簿成家理無久享。 Kèbó chén jiā lĭ wú jiŭ xiăng. |
| 21. When human relationships* are perverted destruction instantly follows. |
伦常乖舛立见消亡。
倫常乖舛立見消亡。 Lúncháng guāichuăn lì jiàn xiāowáng. |
*- Human Relationships: The relationships in question are the usual "five relationships" (wŭlún 五伦 / 五倫), viz. prince-minister (jūn-chén 君臣), father-son (fù-zĭ 父子), husband-wife (fū-fù 夫妇/夫婦), older & younger brother (xiōng-dì 兄弟), and friend-friend (péng-yŏu 朋友).
| 22. Among brothers, uncles, and nephews, those with much should help those with little. |
兄弟叔 须分多润寡。
兄弟叔姪須分多潤寡。 Xiōngdì, shúzhí xū fēn duō rùn gŭa. |
| 23. Between old and young, women and men, decorum should be strict and speech dignified. |
长幼、内外宜法肃辞严。
長幼、內外宜法肅辭嚴。 Zhăng-yòu nèi-wài yí fă sù, cí yán. |
| 24. Listening to a wife's talk and harming one's own kin: how can this make one a good husband?! |
听妻言乖骨肉岂是丈夫？
聽妻言乖骨肉豈是丈夫？ Tīng qī yán, guāi gŭ-ròu, qĭ shì zhāngfū? |
| 25. Valuing wealth but slighting parents is unbefitting a son. |
重资财簿父母不成人子。
重資財簿父母不成人子。 Zhòng zīcái, bó fùmŭ bù chéng rén zĭ. |
| 26. In marrying off a daughter choose a good son-in-law, ; do not demand a heavy brideprice. |
嫁女择佳婿，毋索重聘。
嫁女擇佳婿，毋索重聘。 Jià nyŭ zé jiā xù, wú suŏ zhòng pìn. |
| 27. In wedding a wife [to your son], seek a virtuous girl; do not count a heavy dowry. |
娶妻求叔女，毋计厚奁。
娶妻求叔女，毋計厚奩。 Qŭ qī qiú shú nyŭ, wú jì hòu lián. |
| 28. A person who fawns before the rich and noble is most contemptible. |
见富贵而生谄容者最可耻。
見富貴而生諂容者最可恥。 Jiàn fùguì ér shēng chănzhóng zhĕ, zuì kĕ chĭ. |
| 29. One who is haughty before the poor is mean beyond measure. |
见贫穷而作骄态者贱莫甚。
見貧窮而作驕態者賤莫甚。 Jiàn píngqióng ér zuò jiāotài zhĕ, jiàn mò shèn. |
| 30. A respectable family avoids lawsuits, for lawsuits in the end are evil. |
居家戒争讼，讼则终凶。
居家戒爭訟，訟則終兇。 Jūjiā jiè zhēngsòng, sòng zé zhōng xiōng. |
| 31. In social intercourse, avoid excessive talking; excessive talking causes losses. |
处世戒多言，言多必失。
處世戒多言，言多必失。 Chŭshì jiè duō yán, yán duō bì shī |
| 32. Do not rely on your position to oppress orphans and widows. |
毋恃势力儿苓逼孤、寡。
毋恃勢力兒苓逼孤、寡。 Wú shì shìlì ér língbī gū, guă. |
| 33. Do not so lust after fine food that you needlessly kill cattle and fowl. |
毋贪口腹儿恣杀牲、禽。
毋貪口腹兒恣殺牲、禽。 Wú tān kŏufù ér zì shā shēng, qín. |
| 34. Obstinacy and self-approval result in many regrets. |
乖僻、自势悔误必多。
乖僻、自勢悔誤必多。 Guāipì, zì shì huĭwù bì duō. |
| 35. Among the lazy and self-indulgent, it is difficult for a family to succeed. |
颓惰自甘家道难成。
頹惰自甘家道難成。 Tuíduō, zìgān jiā dào nán chéng. |
| 36. Associating with evil youths, one must eventually be implicated [in their evil]. |
狎昵恶少久必受其累。
狎暱惡少久必受其累。 Xiánì èshào jiŭ bì shòu qí lèi. |
| 37. To be humble before the people who are older and more experienced will serve in time of trouble. |
屈志老成急则可相倚。
屈志老成急則可相倚。 Qūzhì lăochéng jí zé kĕ xiāngyĭ. |
| 38. How is one to know words lightly heard are not other people's slander? One must be patient and think two or three times. |
轻听发言知非人之赞诉？当忍耐三恩。
輕聽發言知非人之讚愬？當忍耐三恩。 Qīngtīng fāyán zhī fēi rén zhi zànsù? Dāng rĕnnài sān sī. |
| 39. If you quarrel over something, how do you know it is the other who is wrong? One must rethink things with a calm heart. |
因事相争，安知非我之不是？须平心再想。
因事相爭，安知非我之不是？須平心再想。 Yīn shì xiāng zhèng, ān zhī fēi wuŏ zhi bú shì? Xū píng xīn zài xiāng. |
| 40. Don't think about your own acts of benevolence; but never forget kindnesses received. |
施惠勿念。受恩莫忘。
施惠勿念。受恩莫忘。 Shīhuì wù niàn. Shòu ēn mò wàng. |
| 41. In all things allow spare ground. Having obtained the objective, don't go further. |
凡事当留馀地。得意不宜再往。
凡事當留餘地。得意不宜再往。 Fán shì dāng liú yú dì, dé yì bù yí zài wăng. |
| 42. When others celebrate happy occasions, do not be envious. |
人有喜庆，不可生妒忌心。
人有喜慶，不可生妒忌心。 Rén yŏu xĭqìng, bù kĕ shēng jídù xīn. |
| 43. When others suffer misfortunes, do not rejoice. |
人有祸患，不可生喜幸心。
人有禍患，不可生喜幸心。 Rén yŏu huòhuàn, bù kĕ shēng xĭxìng xīn. |
| 44. Good done so people can see it is not a good deed. |
善欲人见，不是真善。
善欲人見，不是真善。 Shàn yù rén jiàn, bú shì zhēn shàn. |
| 45. Evil done that fears exposure is truly great evil. |
恶恐人知，便是大恶。
惡恐人知，便是大惡。 Èkŏng rén zhī, biàn shì dà è. |
| 46. To have a lustful heart on seeing a beautiful woman will bring retribution on one's wife and daughters. |
见色儿起淫心，报在妻女。
見色兒起淫心，報在妻女。 Jiàn sè ér qĭ yín xīn, bào zài qī nyŭ. |
| 47. To take secret revenge when one has a grudge will bring disaster upon sons and grandsons. |
匿怨而用暗箭，祸延子孙。
匿怨而用暗箭，禍延子孫。 Nìyuàn ér yòng ànjiàn, huòyán zĭ-sūn. |
| 48. If a household is harmonious, then although breakfast and supper may be scanty, there will still be great happiness. |
家门和顺，虽饔飧不继，亦有馀欢。
家門和順，雖饔飧不繼，亦有餘歡。 Jiāmén héshùn, sūi yōngsūn bú jì, yì yŏu yú huān. |
| 49. If taxes are paid early, then, although one's purse be light, one will feel great satisfaction. |
国课早完，即囊橐无馀自得至乐。
國課早完，即囊橐無餘自得至樂。 Guókè zăo wán, jí nángtuó wú yú, zì dé zhì lè. |
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50. In study one should aim at [the level of] the saints and worthies, not merely at a degree. [Students, take heed! —DKJ] |
读书志在圣贤，非徒科第。
讀書志在聖賢，非徒科第。 Dú shū zhì zài shèngxián, fēi tú kēdì. |
| 51. As an official one's heart should be with one's lord and country; how can one plan to advance oneself and one's family?! |
为官心存君、国；岂计身家？
為官心存君、國；豈計身家？ Wéi guān xīn cún jūn, guó; qĭ jì shēnjiā? |
| 52. Keep in your social position and accept your fate. Follow the times. Obey Heaven. |
守分，安命。顺时听天。
守分，安命。順時聽天。 Shŏu fèn, ān mìng. Shùn shí, tīng Tiān. |
| 53. Lead your life in this way and you will approach [the sages]. |
为人若此，庶乎近焉。
為人若此，庶乎近焉。 Wéirén ruò cĭ, shùhū jìn yān. |