Zhuge Liang's Two Family Letters
 
Zhuge Liang was a Langya native living during the Three Kingdoms era. He was a renowned statesman and military strategist. His highest position was prime minister. He wrote this letter, “Caution to son” to his son Zhuge Qiao.
 
Zhuge Liang's "Caution to Son"
 
The conduct of those who have integrity and are capable depends upon their inner peace of mind and ability to focus in order to cultivate body and mind. One cultivates character with simple actions. If one does not take worldly fame and profit lightly, he cannot be clear about his goal. If one's mind is not tranquil, he cannot realize broad ideals. Learning must be focused on one’s goals, and to develop talent one must study arduously. If one does not study diligently, his capabilities and wisdom cannot grow. If one is not clear about his goal, he cannot achieve it, even through study. If one pursues excessive comfort and has a lazy and sloppy attitude, he cannot inspire his spirit. In being frivolous and hot-tempered, one cannot shape his temperament. Then, as one's youth passes and his will wears down with time, he will eventually turn into a person that accomplished nothing. In the end, one will be of no use to society. By that time, there will be nothing left for him to do, besides being left in his own narrow and small world, thinking sadly of what he had missed.
 
Zhuge Liang's "Caution to Nephew"
 
A person must have noble and lofty ambitions, admire the virtuous people of times gone by, give up lust and abandon all that hinders one's advancement. Only this way can one achieve one's ambition and truly change from within. One must be able to adapt to any given situation, disregard the trivial, widely seek knowledge from others and eliminate suspicion and being miserly. By following such wisdom, even if one suffers setbacks, he will not hurt his disposition and interests. Then, one need not worry about not achieving his goal. If one does not remain firm and resolute in spirit, he will succumb to the current fad, remain obscure and be fettered by lust. Such a person will inevitably be an ordinary person, or worse, a disgrace to society.
 
诸葛亮的两封家书
 
一、诸葛亮《诫子书》
 
诸葛亮，字孔明，琅琊人。三国时期著名的政治家、军事家。官至丞相。这篇《诫子书》，他是写给儿子诸葛乔的。
 
【原文】
夫君子之行，静以修身，俭以养德，非澹薄无以明志，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，意与日去，遂成枯落，多不接世，悲守穷庐，将复何及？
 
【今译】
德才兼备者的品行，是依靠内心安静，精力集中，来修养身心的；是依靠俭朴的作风，来培养品德的。不看轻世俗的名利，就不能明确自己的志向；不是身心宁静，就不能实现远大的理想。学习必须专心致志，增长才干必须刻苦学习。不努力学习，就不能增长才智；不明确志向，就不能在学习上获得成就。追求过度享乐和怠惰散漫，就不能振奋精神；轻浮暴躁，就不能陶冶性情。年华随著光阴流逝，意志随著岁月消磨，最后就像枯枝败叶那样，（成了无所作为的人）对社会没有任何用处。（到那时）守在自家的狭小天地里，悲伤叹息，还有什么用呢？
 
二、诸葛亮《诫外甥书》
 
【原文】
夫志当存高远，慕先贤，绝情欲，弃疑滞。使庶几之志，揭然有所存，恻然有所感。忍屈伸，去细碎，广咨问，除嫌吝，虽有淹留，何损于美趣，何患于不济。若志不强毅，意气不慷慨，徒碌碌滞于俗，默默于情，永窜伏庸，不免于下流。
 
【今译】
一个人应当有高尚远大的志向，仰慕先贤，戒绝情欲，抛弃阻碍前进的因素，使自己的志向，在自己身上显著地得到存留，在自己内心深深地引起震撼，要能屈能伸，丢弃琐碎，广泛地向人请教咨询，去除猜疑和吝啬，这样即使因受到挫折而滞留，也不会损伤自己的美好志趣，又何必担心达不到目地。倘若志向不刚强坚毅，意气不慷慨激昂，那就会碌碌无为地沉湎于流俗，默默无闻地被情欲束缚，势必永远沦入凡夫俗子之列，甚至免不了成为庸俗之辈。