诫子书是中国古代的一部儿童启蒙读物,内容简单易懂,适合儿童阅读。下面是《诫子书》的逐句直译:
1. 《诫子书》
The Instructions of Master to his Son
2. 大王如来己,
大王如 [像],来 [到] 己 [自己],
The great king, as he comes to himself,
3. 身勿恃 [信赖] 己。
身 [自己] 勿 [不要] 恃 [依赖] 己 [自己]。
Do not trust yourself solely.
4. 人心 [心情] 似 [像] 稻草,
人 [人的] 心 [心情] 似 [像] 稻草,
The heart of man is like straw,
5. 独立不得 [得到] 处。
独立 [独自站立] 不得 [得到] 处 [处所]。
It cannot stand alone.
6. 见风必倒 [倾倒],
见 [看到] 风 [风] 必 [一定] 倒 [倾倒],
Seeing the wind, it will surely fall.
7. 见阴必折 [折断]。
见 [看到] 阴 [阴影] 必 [一定] 折 [折断]。
Seeing shade, it will surely break.
8. 大王如意足,
大王如 [像] 意足 [心满意足],
The great king is contented,
9. 不违公道理。
不 [不] 违 [违背] 公道理 [公正的原则]。
He does not violate the principle of justice.
10. 人心 [心情] 似 [像] 池中水,
人 [人的] 心 [心情] 似 [像] 池中水 [池塘里的水],
The heart of man is like water in a pond,
11. 静则清,动则浊。
静 [安静] 则 [的话] 清 [清澈],动 [搅动] 则 [的话] 浊 [浑浊]。
When calm, it is clear; when disturbed, it becomes muddy.
12. 听父言,须要速,
听 [听从] 父 [父亲的] 言 [话],须 [必须] 要 [要] 速 [迅速],
Listen to your father's words, you must do it quickly,
13. 听母言,须要谨。
听 [听从] 母 [母亲的] 言 [话],须 [必须] 要 [要] 谨 [小心]。
Listen to your mother's words, you must be careful.
14. 大王所言,万不可违。
大王 [尊称] 所 [他所] 言 [说的],万 [绝对不] 不可 [不可以] 违 [违背]。
The words of the great king must never be violated.
15. 非义勿听,非理勿从。
非 [不是] 义 [正义] 勿 [不要] 听 [听从],非 [不是] 理 [理智] 勿 [不要] 从 [追随]。
Do not listen to what is unjust, do not follow what is unreasonable.
《诫子书》以简洁的语言表达了父母对子女的教诲和期望,是一部至今仍然被人传诵的经典读物。