University · Moderate

Chapter 28 The Qi Family
[Original text]

The way of a gentleman ①, if you go far, you will be close to yourself; if you go to a high place, you will feel inferior ④.

"Poetry" said ⑤: "The wife is very close ⑥, like a drum ⑥ and a zither ⑥. Brothers are both ⑦, and they are happy and procrastinated ⑧. It is suitable for the family, and the wife and children ⑨." The son said: "Parents are in order Almost!"

【Note】

①The way of a gentleman: refers to the method of seeking the way of a gentleman.

②Pi: Same as "依".

③ You: near.

④ humble: low.

⑤ "Poetry" said: These few lines of poems come from "The Book of Songs·Xiaoya·Tangdi".This is a poem about family harmony and brotherly love.

25 together: harmony.Drums: play.Seqin: It is a metaphor for the harmonious relationship between a couple.Se (sè): a plucked stringed instrument.There are [-] strings, and each string has a pillar, which is similar to a qin, but with the location of the ground emblem, it has been popular in the Spring and Autumn Period.Qin, with seven strings, also known as "lyre" or "guqin", existed in the Zhou Dynasty and was finalized in the Han Dynasty.

⑦ Xi (xī): Polymerization.

[-] delay (dān): joy. "Zhan" in "Book of Songs", deep.

⑨wife and children: collectively referred to as wives and children.Nurses (nú), descendants.

【Translation】

The way to seek the way of a gentleman is like taking a long road, you must start from a nearby place, like climbing a high mountain, you must start from a low place.

The "Book of Songs" says: "You and your wife are very harmonious, just like playing a harp. Brothers get along very well, and it is good to reunite and respect each other. Organize a happy family, and you have a deep relationship with your wife and children." Confucius praised: " Like this, being a parent will naturally make you happy!"

[Zhu Xi Tips]

RightChapter 15.

【Translation】

Zhu Xi said that the above paragraph is Chapter 15.

(End of this chapter)