Letter to Expostulate with Son
Gentlemen harbor quietness and thriftiness. The former nourishes one’s nature; the latter cultivates one’s morality. A genuine ambition is derived from simplicity of life, and a grand horizon is conceived in serenity of mind.
Learning happens in quiet reflection; competence grows in constant learning. One’s talent will be exhausted without learning; one’s learning will not be pursued without determination. Remissness runs counter to vigorous strife; adventure and impatience spoils one’s nature. As time flies and one gets old, his volition is weakened, he is of little utility to society. How regretful he is by adhering to an old hut in sheer desolation.
原文：
夫君子之行，静以修身，俭以养德。非淡泊无以明志，非宁静无以致远。夫学须静也，才须学也。非学无以广才，非志无以成学。淫慢则不能励精，险躁则不能治性。年与时驰，意与岁去，遂成枯落，多不接世。悲守穷庐，将复何及？
汉译：
君子的品行，以安静提高自己的修养，以节俭培养自己的品德。不恬淡寡欲就不能彰显志向，不宁静稳重就不能达到高远的目标。学习必须静下心来，必须学习才能增长才干。不学习就不能成才，没有志向就不能学成。懈怠便不能励精图治，冒险急躁便不能修身养性。年华随时间流逝，意志随岁月消磨，于是枝枯叶落，大多不能对社会有所作为。等到悲凉地守着贫穷的小屋时，后悔又怎么来的及呢？