Page:Excellent ancient adages, together with notes on the writings of Chinese romanized in the Hokkien dialect.djvu/60

 A TRANSLATION OF CHAPTER I,

1. The excellent adages of the olden times, ’Tis moral nature of lore in general points.

2. Should gravely be quiet and content on the seats, Must carefully criticise when assembly meets.

3. While sea dried up its bottom can be seen, When man expired his heart will not bethink.

4. Drink only wine wisely with familiar friends, Recite your poetry with a poet at hand.

5. Our acquaintances are swinging in the world around, But really there are few friends with striking hearts be found.

6. When a host, the hospitality lacks, Because of the unrespectable guests.

7. He who lacks hospitality to guest, Might be a hostless fool in some respect.

8. Do not believe whether they are kind or honest, We should preciously be careful ourselves the best.

9. Don’t boast of being in the first clue, For others indeed, are before you.

10. Instead of confessing my virtue duly, He kinly [sic] turns my friendship with enmity.

11. Rather go to a straight, for things to request, Than rush to a crooked, in time of earnest.

12. He in fair weather does not take a course to go, And he waits till the rain sprinkles his pate thorough.

13. A man cannot restrain with hundred words of blames, So trees cannot stand of hundred axes to rend.