This is the third chapter of Di Zi Gui (The Rules for Students). For links to previous lessons see below.
Below are the video lessons for chapter three.
Here is the text of chapter three below.
謹
Jǐn
Being Cautious
朝起早，夜眠遲。
Zhāo qǐ zǎo, yè mián chǐ.
In the morning rise early; at night go to sleep late.
老易至，惜此時。
Lǎo yì zhì, xí cǐ shí.
Old age arrives readily; value this time.
晨必盥，兼漱口。
Chén bì guàn, jiān shù kǒu.
In the morning one must wash the hands, plus rinse the mouth.
便溺回，輒淨手。
Biàn niào huí, zhé jìng shǒu.
After returning from urination and defecation, always clean the hands.
冠必正，紐必結。
Guān bì zhèng, niǔ bì jié.
The hat must be on straight; the buttons must be done up.
襪與履，俱緊切。
Wà yǔ lǚ, jù jǐn qiè.
The socks and shoes should all be on snugly.
置冠服，有定位。
Zhì guān fú, yǒu dìng wèi.
When placing hats and clothes, there should be set places.
勿亂頓，致污穢。
Wù luàn dùn, zhì wū huì.
Don’t set them down in a disorderly manner, for that will make them dirty.
衣貴潔，不貴華。
Yī guì jié, bù guì huá.
In clothes value cleanliness, not fanciness.
上循分，下稱家。
Shàng xún fèn, xià chèn jiā.
First, follow one’s station in life; second, suit the family’s financial situation.
對飲食，勿揀擇。
Duì yǐn shí, wù jiǎn zé.
With food and drink don’t be picky.
食適可，勿過則。
Shí shì kě, wù guò zé.
Eat just enough; don’t eat excessively.
年方少，勿飲酒。
Nián fāng shǎo, wù yǐn jiǔ.
While still young, don’t drink alcohol.
飲酒醉，最為醜。
Yǐn jiǔ zuì, zuì wéi chǒu.
Being drunk is most ugly.
步從容，立端正。
Bù cōng róng, lì duān zhèng.
Walk relaxed; stand straight.
揖深圓，拜恭敬。
Yī shēn yuán, bài gōng jìng.
Bow deep and round; when kneeling to pay homage do so reverently.
勿踐閾，勿跛倚。
Wù jiàn yù, wù bǒ yǐ.
Don’t step on the threshold; don’t stand leaning on one leg.
勿箕踞，勿搖髀。
Wù jī jù, wù yáo bì.
Don’t sit with legs spraddled; don’t wave the bottom.
緩揭簾，勿有聲。
Huǎn jiē lián, wù yǒu shēng.
Open curtains slowly, without noise.
寬轉彎，勿觸棱。
Kuān zhuǎn wān, wù chù léng.
Turn turns widely, without hitting the corners.
執虛器，如執盈。
Zhí xū qì, rú zhí yíng.
Hold empty vessels like holding full ones.
入虛室，如有人。
Rù xū shì, rú yǒu rén.
Enter empty rooms as if someone is there.
事勿忙，忙多錯。
Shì wù máng, máng duō cuò.
Don’t hurry when doing things, or there will be many mistakes.
勿畏難，勿輕略。
Wù wèi nán, wù qīng lüè.
Don’t fear difficulties; don’t take easy tasks lightly.
鬥鬧場，絕勿近。
Dòu nào cháng, jué wù jìn.
Scenes of fighting and disturbances, do not ever go near.
邪僻事，絕勿問。
Xié pì shì, jué wù wèn.
Evil deviant things, don’t ever ask about them.
將入門，問孰存。
Jiāng rù mén, wèn shú cún.
When about to enter through a door, ask who is there.
將上堂，聲必揚。
Jiāng shàng táng, shēng bì yáng.
When about to enter a hall, one must call out one’s arrival.
人問誰，對以名。
Rén wèn shuí, duì yǐ míng.
When people ask who is there, answer with your name.
吾與我，不分明。
Wú yǔ wǒ, bù fēn míng.
“Me” and “I” don’t make anything clear.
用人物，須明求。
Yòng rén wù, xū míng qiú.
When using other people’s things, one must clearly ask.
倘不問，即為偷。
Tǎng bù wèn, jí wéi tōu.
If one doesn’t ask, then it is stealing.
借人物，及時還。
Jiè rén wù, jí shí huán.
When borrowing other people’s things, return them on time.
後有急，借不難。
Hòu yǒu jí, jiè bù nán.
Later, if one has an urgent need, it will not be difficult borrowing from them again.