The San Zi Jing (三字经) is also known as the Three Character Classic. It has been used to teach children Confucian values until recent times. In the table below, the column "1st Part" refers to the first half of a sentence (consisting of three characters) and the column "2nd Part" refers to the second half of a sentence.

No. 1st Part 2nd Part Pinyin 1st Part Pinyin 2nd Part Translation by Herbert A. Giles in 1910
001 人之初, 性本善。 rén zhī chū xìng běn shàn Men at their birth are naturally good.
002 性相近, 习相远。 xìng xiāng jìn xí xiāng yuǎn Their natures are much the same; their habits become widely different.
003 苟不教, 性乃迁。 gǒu bù jiāo xìng nǎi qiān If foolishly there is no teaching, the nature will deteriorate.
004 教之道, 贵以专。 jiāo zhī dào guì yǐ zhuān The right way in teaching, is to attach the utmost importance to thoroughness.
005 昔孟母, 择邻处。 xī mèng mǔ zé lín chǔ Of old, the mother of Mencius chose a neighbourhood;
006 子不学, 断机杼。 zǐ bù xué duàn jī zhù and when her child would not learn, she broke the shuttle from the loom.
007 窦燕山, 有义方。 dòu Yānshān yǒu yì fāng Tou of the Swallow Hills had the right method.
008 教五子, 名俱扬。 jiāo wǔ zǐ míng jù yáng He taught five sons, each of whom raised the family reputation.
009 养不教, 父之过。 yǎng bù jiào fù zhī guò To feed without teaching is the father's fault.
010 教不严, 师之惰。 jiāo bù yán shī zhī duò To teach without severity is the teacher's laziness.
011 子不学, 非所宜。 zǐ bù xué fēi suǒ yí If the child does not learn, this is not as it should be.
012 幼不学, 老何为。 yòu bù xué lǎo hé wéi If he does not learn while young, what will he be when old?
013 玉不琢, 不成器。 yù bù zhuó bù chéng qì If jade is not polished, it cannot become a thing of use.
014 人不学, 不知义。 rén bù xué bùzhī yì If a man does not learn, he cannot know his duty towards his neighbour.
015 为人子, 方少时。 wéirén zǐ fāng shào shí He who is the son of a man, when he is young
016 亲师友, 习礼仪。 qīn shī yǒu xí lǐyí should attach himself to his teachers and friends, and practise ceremonial usages.
017 香九龄, 能温席。 xiāng jiǔ líng néng wēn xí Hsiang, at nine years of age, could warm (his parents') bed.
018 孝于亲, 所当执。 xiào yú qīn suǒ dāng zhí Filial piety towards parents, is that to which we should hold fast.
019 融四岁, 能让梨。 róng sì suì néng ràng lí Jung, at four years of age, could yield the (bigger) pears.
020 弟于长, 宜先知。 dì yú zhǎng yí xiānzhī To behave as a younger brother towards elders, is one of the first things to know.
021 首孝弟, 次见闻。 shǒu xiào tì cì jiànwén Begin with filial piety and fraternal love, and then see and hear .
022 知某数, 识某文。 zhī mǒu shù shí mǒu wén Learn to count, and learn to read.
023 一而十, 十而百。 yī ér shí shí ér bǎi Units and tens, then tens and hundreds,
024 百而千, 千而万。 bǎi ér qiān qiān ér wàn hundreds and thousands, thousands and tens of thousands.
025 三才者, 天地人。 sān cái zhě tiāndì rén The Three Forces are Heaven, Earth, and Man.
026 三光者, 日月星。 sān guāng zhě rì yuè xīng The Three Luminaries are the sun, the moon and the stars.
027 三纲者, 君臣义。 sān gāng zhě jūn chén yì The Three Bonds are (1) the obligation between sovereign and subject,
028 父子亲, 夫妇顺。 fù zǐ qīn fūfù shùn (2) the love between father and child, (3) the harmony between husband and wife.
029 曰春夏, 曰秋冬。 yuē chūn xià yuē qiū dōng We speak of spring and summer, we speak of autumn and winter.
030 此四时, 运不穷。 cǐ sì shí yùn bù qióng These four seasons revolve without ceasing.
031 曰南北, 曰西东。 yuē nánběi yuē xī dōng We speak of north and south, we speak of east and west.
032 此四方, 应乎中。 cǐ sìfāng yīng hū zhòng These four points respond to the requirements of the centre.
033 曰水火, 木金土。 yuē shuǐhuǒ mù jīn tǔ We speak of water, fire, wood, metal and earth.
034 此五行, 本乎数。 cǐ wǔ xíng běn hū shù These five elements have their origin in number.
035 曰仁义, 礼智信。 yuē rén yì lǐ zhì xìn We speak of charity of heart and of duty towards one's neighbour, of propriety, of wisdom, and of truth.
036 此五常, 不容紊。 cǐ wǔ cháng bù róng wěn These five virtues admit of no compromise.
037 稻粱菽, 麦黍稷。 dào liáng shū mài shǔ jì Rice, spiked millet, pulse, wheat, glutinous millet and common millet.
038 此六谷, 人所食。 cǐ liù gǔ rén suǒ shí These six grains are those which men eat.
039 马牛羊, 鸡犬豕。 mǎ niú yáng jī quǎn shǐ The horse, the ox, the sheep, the fowl, the dog, the pig.
040 此六畜, 人所饲。 cǐ liù chù rén suǒ sì These six animals are those which men keep.
041 曰喜怒, 曰哀惧。 yuē xǐ nù yuē āi jù We speak of joy, of anger, we speak of pity, of fear,
042 爱恶欲, 七情具。 ài è yù qī qíng jù of love, of hate, and of desire. These are the seven passions.
043 匏土革, 木石金。 páo tǔ gé mù shí jīn The gourd, earthenware, skin, wood, stone, metal,
044 与丝竹, 乃八音。 yǔ sī zhú nǎi bā yīn silk, and bamboo, yield the eight musical sounds.
045 高曾祖, 父而身。 gāo zēngzǔ fù ér shēn Great great grandfather, great grandfather, grandfather, father and self,
046 身而子, 子而孙。 shēn ér zǐ zǐ ér sūn self and son, son and grandson,
047 自子孙, 至元曾。 zì zǐsūn zhì yuán zēng from son and grandson, on to great grandson and great great grandson.
048 乃九族, 人之伦。 nǎi jiǔ zú rén zhī lún These are the nine agnates, constituting the kinships of man.
049 父子恩, 夫妇从。 fù zǐ ēn fūfù cóng Affection between father and child, harmony between husband and wife,
050 兄则友, 弟则恭。 xiōng zé yǒu dì zé gōng friendliness on the part of elder brothers, respectfulness on the part of younger brothers,
051 长幼序, 友与朋。 zhǎng yòu xù yǒu yǔ péng precedence between elders and youngers, as between friend and friend,
052 君则敬, 臣则忠。 jūn zé jìng chén zé zhōng respect on the part of the sovereign, loyalty on the part of the subject.
053 此十义, 人所同。 cǐ shí yì rén suǒ tóng These ten obligations are common to all men.
054 凡训蒙, 须讲究。 fán xùn méng xū jiǎngjiū In the education of the young, there should be explanation and elucidation,
055 详训诂, 名句读。 xiáng xùn gǔ míng jù doù careful teaching of the interpretations of commentators, and due attention to paragraphs and sentences.
056 为学者, 必有初。 wèi xuézhě bì yǒu chū Those who are learners must have a beginning.
057 小学终, 至四书。 xiǎoxué zhōng zhì sì shū The "Little Learning" finished, they proceed to the "Four Books".
058 论语者, 二十篇。 lùn yǔ zhě èrshí piān There is the Lun Yü, in twenty sections.
059 群弟子, 记善言。 qún dìzǐ jì shàn yán In this, the various disciples have recorded the wise sayings of Confucius.
060 孟子者, 七篇止。 mèng zǐ zhě qī piān zhǐ The works of Mencius are comprised in seven sections.
061 讲道德, 说仁义。 jiǎng dàodé shuō rén yì These explain the WAY and the exemplification thereof, and expound charity and duty towards one's neighbour.
062 作中庸, 子思笔。 zuò zhōngyōng zǐ sī bǐ The "Chung Yung" was written by the pen of Tzu-ssu;
063 中不偏, 庸不易。 zhòng bù piān yōng bù yì "Chung" (the middle) being that which does not lean towards any side, "Yung" (the course) being that which cannot be changed.
064 作大学, 乃曾子。 zuò dàxué nǎi zēngzǐ He who wrote "The Great Learning" was the philosopher Tsêng.
065 自修齐, 至平治。 zìxiū qí zhì píng zhì Beginning with cultivation of the individual and ordering of the family, it goes on to government of one's own State and tranquillisation of the Empire.
066 孝经通, 四书熟。 xiào jīng tōng sì shū shú When the "Classic of Filial Piety" is mastered, and the "Four Books" are known by heart.
067 如六经, 始可读。 rú liù jīng shǐ kě dú The next step is to the "Six Classics", which may now be studied.
068 诗书易, 礼春秋。 shī shū yì lǐ chūnqiū The "Books of Poetry", of "History" and of "Changes", the "Rites of the Chou Dynasty", the "Book of Rites", and the "Spring and Autumn Annals",
069 号六经, 当讲求。 hào liù jīng dàng jiǎng qiú are called the Six Classics, which should be carefully explained and analysed.
070 有连山, 有归藏。 yǒu lián shān yǒu guī cáng There is the "Lien shan" system, there is the "Kuei tsang",
071 有周易, 三易详。 yǒu zhōu yì sān yì xiáng and there is the system of Changes of the Chou Dynasty; such are the three systems which elucidate the Changes.
072 有典谟, 有训诰。 yǒu diǎn mó yǒu xùn gào There are the Regulations, the Counsels, the Instructions, the Announcements,
073 有誓命, 书之奥。 yǒu shì mìng shū zhī ào the Oaths, the Charges; these are the profundities of the Book of History.
074 我周公, 作周礼。 wǒ zhōu gōng zuò zhōu lǐ Our Duke of Chou drew up the Ritual of the Chou Dynasty,
075 著六官, 存治体。 zhù liù guān cún zhì tǐ in which he set forth the duties of the six classes of officials, and thus gave a settled form to the government.
076 大小戴, 注礼记。 dàxiǎo dài zhù lǐ jì The Elder and the Younger Tai wrote commentaries on the Book of Rites.
077 述圣言, 礼乐备。 shù shèng yán lǐ yuè bèi They published the holy words, and Ceremonies and Music were set in order.
078 曰国风, 曰雅颂。 yuē guó fēng yuē yǎ sòng We speak of the "Kuo feng", we speak of the "Ya" and of the "Sung".
079 号四诗, 当讽咏。 hào sì shī dàng fěng yǒng These are the four sections of the Book of Poetry, which should be hummed over and over.
080 诗既亡, 春秋作。 shī jì wáng chūnqiū zuō When odes ceased to be made, the "Spring and Autumn Annals" were produced.
081 寓褒贬, 别善恶。 yù bāobiǎn bié shàn è These "Annals" contain praise and blame, and distinguish the good from the bad.
082 三传者, 有公羊。 sān zhuàn zhě yǒu gōng yáng The three commentaries upon the above, include that of Kung-Yang,
083 有左氏, 有彀梁。 yǒu zuǒ shì yǒu gòu liáng that of Tso, and that of Ku-Liang.
084 经既明, 方读子。 jīng jì míng fāng dú zǐ When the classics are understood, then the writings of the various philosophers should be read.
085 撮其要, 记其事。 cuō qí yào jì qí shì Pick out the important points in each, and take a note of all facts.
086 五子者, 有荀杨。 wǔ zǐ zhě yǒu Xún yáng The five chief philosophers are Hsün, Yang,
087 文中子, 及老庄。 wén zhōngzǐ jí lǎo zhuāng Wên Chung Tzu, Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu.
088 经子通, 读诸史。 jīng zǐ tōng dú zhū shǐ When the Classics and the Philosophers are mastered, the various histories should then be read,
089 考世系, 知终始。 kǎo shìxì zhī zhōng shǐ and the genealogical connections should be examined, so that the end of one dynasty and the beginning of the next may be known.
090 自羲农, 至黄帝。 zì xī nóng zhì huáng dì From Fu Hsi and Shên Nung on to the Yellow Emperor, --
091 号三皇, 居上世。 hào sān huáng jū shàng shì these are called the Three Rulers, who lived in the early ages.
092 唐有虞, 号二帝。 táng yǒu yú hào èr dì T'ang and Yu-Yü are called the Two Emperors.
093 相揖逊, 称盛世。 xiāng yī xùn chēng shèng shì They abdicated, one after the other, and theirs was called the Golden Age.
094 夏有禹, 商有汤。 xià yǒu Yǔ shāng yǒu tāng The Hsia dynasty had Yü; and the Shang dynasty had T'ang;
095 周文武, 称三王。 zhōu wén wǔ chēng sān wáng the Chou dynasty had Wên and Wu;-- these are called the Three Kings.
096 夏传子, 家天下。 xià chuán zǐ jiā tiānxià Under the Hsia dynasty the throne was transmitted from father to son, making a family possession of the empire.
097 四百载, 迁夏社。 sì bǎi zǎi qiān xià shè After four hundred years, the Imperial sacrifice passed from the House of Hsia.
098 汤伐夏, 国号商。 tāng fá xià guó hào shāng T'ang the completer destroyed the Hsia Dynasty and the dynastic title became Shang.
099 六百载, 至纣亡。 liù bǎi zǎi zhì zhòu wáng The line lasted for six hundred years, ending with Chou Hsin.
100 周武王, 始诛纣。 zhōu wǔ wáng shǐ zhū zhòu King Wu of the Chou Dynasty finally slew Chou Hsin.
101 八百载, 最长久。 bā bǎi zǎi zuì chángjiǔ His own line lasted for eight hundred years; -- the longest dynasty of all.
102 周辙东, 王纲坠。 zhōu chè dōng wáng gāng zhuì When the Chous made tracks eastwards, the feudal bond was slackened;
103 逞干戈, 尚游说。 chěng gāngē shàng yóu shuì the arbitrament of spear and shields prevailed; and peripatetic politicians were held in high esteem.
104 始春秋, 终战国。 shǐ chūnqiū zhōng zhànguó This period began with the Spring and Autumn Epoch, and ended with that of the Warring States.
105 五霸强, 七雄出。 wǔ bà qiáng qī xióng chū Next, the Five Chieftains domineered, and the Seven Martial States came to the front.
106 嬴秦氏, 始兼并。 yíng qín shì shǐ jiānbìng Then the House of Ch'in, descended from the Ying clan, finally united all the States under one sway.
107 传二世, 楚汉争。 chuán èr shì chǔ hàn zhēng The throne was transmitted to Erh Shih, upon which followed the struggle between the Ch'u and the Han States.
108 高祖兴, 汉业建。 gāo zǔ xīng hàn yè jiàn Then Kao Tsu arose, and the House of Han was established.
109 至孝平, 王莽篡。 zhì xiào píng wáng mǎng cuàn When we come to the reign of Hsiao P'ing, Wang Mang usurped the throne.
110 光武兴, 为东汉。 guāng wǔ xīng wéi dōnghàn Then Kuang Wu arose, and founded the Eastern Han Dynasty.
111 四百年, 终于献。 sì bǎinián zhōngyú xiàn It lasted four hundred years, and ended with the Emperor Hsien.
112 魏蜀吴, 争汉鼎。 wèi shǔ wú zhēng hàn dǐng Wei, Shu, and Wu, fought for the sovereignty of the Hans.
113 号三国, 迄两晋。 hào sān guó qì liǎng jìn They were called the Three Kingdoms, and existed until the Two Chin Dynasties.
114 宋齐继, 梁陈承。 sòng qí jì liáng chén chéng Then followed the Sung and the Ch'i dynasties, and after them the Liang and Ch'ên dynasties
115 为南朝, 都金陵。 wéi nán cháo dū jīn líng These are the southern dynasties, with their capital at Nanking.
116 北元魏, 分东西。 běi yuán wèi fēn dōngxi The northern dynasties are the Wei dynasty of the Yüan family, which split into Eastern and Western Wei,
117 宇文周, 与高齐。 yǔ wén zhōu yǔ gāo qí the Chou dynasty of the Yü-wen family, with the Ch'i dynasty of the Kao family.
118 迨至隋, 一土宇。 dài zhì suí yī tǔ yǔ At length, under the Sui dynasty, the empire was united under one ruler.
119 不再传, 失统绪。 búzài chuán shī tǒng xù The throne was not transmitted twice, succession to power being lost.
120 唐高祖, 起义师。 táng gāo zǔ qǐyì shī The first Emperor of the T'ang dynasty raised volunteer troops.
121 除隋乱, 创国基。 chú suí luàn chuāng guó jī He put an end to the disorder of the House of Sui, and established the foundations of his line.
122 二十传, 三百载。 èrshí chuán sān bǎi zǎi Twenty times the throne was transmitted in a period of three hundred years.
123 梁灭之, 国乃改。 liáng miè zhī guó nǎi gǎi The Liang State destroyed it, and the dynastic title was changed.
124 梁唐晋, 及汉周。 liáng táng jìn jí hàn zhōu The Liang, the T'ang, the Chin, the Han, and the Chou,
125 称五代, 皆有由。 chēng wǔ dài jiē yǒu yóu are called the Five Dynasties, and there was a reason for the establishment of each.
126 炎宋兴, 受周禅。 yán sòng xīng shòu zhōu shàn Then the fire-led House of Sung arose, and received the resignation of the house of Chou.
127 十八传, 南北混。 shí bā chuán nánběi hùn Eighteen times the throne was transmitted, and then the north and the south were reunited.
128 辽于金, 皆称帝。 liáo yú jīn jiē chēng dì The Liao Tartars and the Chin Tartars all took the Imperial title.
129 元灭金, 绝宋世。 yuán miè jīn jué sòng shì The Yüans (Mongols) destroyed the Chin Tartars, and put an end to the House of Sung.
130 莅中国, 兼戎翟。 lì Zhōngguó jiān róng dí They governed the Middle Kingdom, and also the wild tribes of the north and west;
131 九十年, 国祚废。 jiǔshí nián guó zuò fèi after ninety years their mandate was exhausted.
132 太祖兴, 国大明。 tài zǔ xīng guó dà míng Then T'ai Tsu arose, his dynasty being known as Ta Ming.
133 号洪武, 都金陵。 hào hóng wǔ dū jīn líng He took as his year-title Hung Wu, and fixed his capital at Chin-ling (Nanking).
134 逮成祖, 迁燕京。 dài chéng zǔ qiān Yānjīng At length, under the Emperor Ch'êng Tsu, a move was made to Swallow City (Peking).
135 十七世, 至崇祯。 shí qī shì zhì chóng zhēn There were seventeen reigns in all, down to and including Ch'ung Chêng.
136 权奄肆, 寇如林。 quán yǎn sì kòu rú lín The hold on the people was relaxed, and rebels sprang up thick as forests.
137 至李闯, 神器终。 zhì lǐ chuǎng shén qì zhōng Then came Li Ch'uang, and the Imperial regalia were destroyed.
138 清太祖, 应景命。 qīng tài zǔ yīng jǐng mìng The founder of the Ch'ing or Pure dynasty responded to the glorious summons;
139 靖四方, 克大定。 jìng sìfāng kè dà dìng he tranquillised the four quarters (N.S.E. and W.), and achieved the final settlement of the empire.
140 廿二史, 全在兹。 niàn èr shǐ quán zài zī The Twenty-two Dynastic Histories are all embraced in the above.
141 载治乱, 知兴衰。 zài zhì luàn zhī xīng shuāi They contain examples of good and bad government, whence may be learnt the principles of prosperity and decay.
142 读史书, 考实录。 dú shǐshū kǎo shí lù Ye who read history must study the State Annals,
143 通古今, 若亲目。 tōng gǔ jīn ruò qīn mù whereby you will understand ancient and modern events, as though having seen them with your own eyes.
144 口而诵, 心而惟。 kǒu ér sòng xīn ér wéi Recite them with the mouth, and ponder over them in your hearts.
145 朝于斯, 夕于斯。 zhāo yú sī xī yú sī Do this in the morning; do this in the evening.
146 昔仲尼, 师项橐。 xī zhòng ní shī xiàng tuó Of old, Confucius took Hsiang T'o for his teacher.
147 古圣贤, 尚勤学。 gǔ shèngxián shàng qín xué The inspired men and sages of old studied diligently nevertheless.
148 赵中令, 读鲁论。 zhào zhòng lìnɡ dú lǔ lùn Chao, President of the Council, studied the Lu text of the "Lun Yü".
149 彼既仕, 学且勤。 bǐ jì shì xué qiě qín He, when already an official, studied, and moreover with diligence.
150 披蒲编, 削竹简。 pī pú biān xiāo zhújiǎn One opened out rushes and plaited them together; another scraped tablets of bamboo.
151 彼无书, 且知勉。 bǐ wú shū qiě zhī miǎn These men had no books, but they knew how to make an effort.
152 头悬梁, 锥刺股。 tóu xuán liáng zhuī cì gǔ One tied his head to the beam above him; another pricked his thigh with an awl.
153 彼不教, 自勤苦。 bǐ bù jiāo zì qín kǔ They were not taught, but toiled hard of their own accord.
154 如囊萤, 如映雪。 rú náng yíng rú yìng xuě Then we have one who put fireflies in a bag, and again another who used the white glare from snow.
155 家虽贫, 学不缀。 jiā suī pín xué bù chuò Although their families were poor, these men studied unceasingly.
156 如负薪, 如挂角。 rú fù xīn rú guà jiǎo Again, there was one who carried fuel, and another who used horns as pegs.
157 身虽劳, 犹苦卓。 shēn suī láo yóu kǔ zhuó Although they toiled with their bodies, they were nevertheless remarkable for their application.
158 苏老泉, 二十七。 sū lǎo quán èrshí qī Su Lao-ch'üan, at the age of twenty-seven,
159 始发愤, 读书籍。 shǐ fà fèn dúshū jí at last began to show his energy and devote himself to the study of books.
160 彼既老, 犹悔迟。 bǐ jì lǎo yóu huǐ chí Then, when already past the age, he deeply regretted his delay.
161 尔小生, 宜早思。 ěr xiǎo shēng yí zǎo sī You little boys should take thought betimes.
162 若梁灏, 八十二。 ruò liáng hào bāshí èr Then there was Liang Hao, who at the age of eighty-two,
163 对大廷, 魁多士。 duì dà tíng kuí duō shì made his replies in the great hall, and came out first among many scholars.
164 彼既成, 众称异。 bǐ jì chéng zhòng chēng yì When thus late he had succeeded, all men pronounced him a prodigy.
165 尔小生, 宜立志。 ěr xiǎo shēng yí lìzhì You little boys should make up your minds to work.
166 莹八岁, 能咏诗。 yíng bā suì néng yǒng shī Jung at eight years of age, could compose poetry.
167 泌七岁, 能赋棋。 bì qī suì néng fù qí Pi, at seven years of age, could make an epigram on "wei-ch'i".
168 彼颖悟, 人称奇。 bǐ yǐngwù rén chēng qí These youths were quick of apprehension, and people declared them to be prodigies.
169 尔幼学, 当效之。 ěr yòu xué dàng xiào zhī You young learners ought to imitate them.
170 蔡文姬, 能辨琴。 Cài wén jī néng biàn qín Ts'ai Wên-chi was able to judge from the sound of a psaltery.
171 谢道韫, 能咏吟。 xiè dào yùn néng yǒng yín Hsieh Tao-yün was able to compose verses.
172 彼女子, 且聪敏。 bǐ nǚzī qiě cōng mǐn They were only girls, yet they were quick and clever.
173 尔男子, 当自警。 ěr nánzǐ dàng zì jǐng You boys ought to rouse yourselves.
174 唐刘晏, 方七岁。 táng liú yàn fāng qī suì Liu Yen of the T'ang dynasty, when only seven years of age,
175 举神童, 作正字。 jǔ shéntóng zuò zhèng zì was ranked as an "inspired child", and was appointed a Corrector of Texts.
176 彼虽幼, 身已仕。 bǐ suī yòu shēn yǐ shì He, although a child, was already in an official post.
177 尔幼学, 勉而致。 ěr yòu xué miǎn ér zhì You young learners strive to bring about a like result.
178 有为者, 亦若是。 yǒuwéi zhě yì ruòshì Those who work will also succeed as he did.
179 犬守夜, 鸡司晨。 quǎn shǒuyè jī sī chén The dog keeps guard by night; the cock proclaims the dawn.
180 苟不学, 曷为人。 gǒu bù xué hé wéirén If foolishly you do not study, how can you become men?
181 蚕吐丝, 蜂酿蜜。 cán tù sī fēng niàng mì The silkworm produces silk, the bee makes honey.
182 人不学, 不如物。 rén bù xué bùrú wù If man does not learn, he is not equal to the brutes.
183 幼而学, 壮而行。 yòu ér xué zhuàng ér xíng Learn while young, and when grown up apply what you have learnt;
184 上致君, 下泽民。 shàng zhì jūn xià zé mín influencing the sovereign above; benefiting the people below.
185 扬名声, 显父母。 yángmíng shēng xiǎn fùmǔ Make a name for yourselves, and glorify your father and mother,
186 光于前, 裕于后。 guāng yú qián yù yú hòu shed lustre on your ancestors, enrich your posterity.
187 人遗子, 金满嬴。 rén yí zǐ jīn mǎn yíng Men bequeath to their children coffers of gold;
188 我教子, 惟一经。 wǒ jiāo zǐ wéiyī jīng I teach you children, only this book.
189 勤有功, 戏无益。 qín yǒu gōng xì wú yì Diligence has its reward; play has no advantages,
190 戒之哉, 宜勉力。 jiè zhī zāi yí miǎn lì Oh, be on your guard, and put forth your strength.

Ref: Wikisource:San Tzu Ching