Wen Mama's Instructions (Catalogue)

1. Introduction

2. Keep the family way

3. Former sages and determination

4. Children's education: Godson

5. Children's education: teaching women

6. Family heirloom and family finance

7. Help the poor and the living.

8. Be interested in making friends

9. Widowed behavior: Far from avoiding disaster.

10. Remembering Zude

1 1. conclusion: inspiring words.

Liang Wen's warning

-"Wenmu Xun"

The article "Wenmu Xun" was written by a sage at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and recorded the training of his mother Lu. The contents include the maintenance of ancestral business, the maintenance of family morality, the teaching of women's morality, and the education of children. The admonition of mother Wen comes from mother Wen's moral integrity and profound life experience, and is rich in profound wisdom of self-cultivation and family planning.

Persistence of family style

Great-grandmother once warned your grandfather that even if people are poor, hungry and cold, remember not to abandon their ancestors' inheritance and industry easily. Once you lose your ancestral business, you will have the pain of returning to your roots. In order to save this inch of land, we would rather eat less than one meal.

She is used to touching the pot cover with her hands to prevent her children from starting a new stove separately from the younger generation. Now that our ancestors' businesses have been sold or transferred, our family is safe and sound. It's not easy to get to this point today! Remember, remember.

People have parents, wives and children, just as the body has eyes, ears, nose and tongue. Are born. How can you not take care of them one by one? Just for worldly things, giving people's spirit and will to their livelihood and possessions is called "home" people, not scholars.

Politeness in the family is simple and easy, not tedious and laborious. A layer of wealth is a burden, and a layer of complexity is alienation.

The poor refused to sacrifice and participate in the wedding mourning activities, so they were so poor that they didn't know how to turn back. Sacrifice is cut off, no contact with ancestors, no marriage condolences, no contact with relatives and friends. Such a person is called a "single husband", and God will not bless him.

Caution and determination

The eyes of the world are red, and all they can see are brass and tin. After collecting half a bucket of rice and a pile of money, he shouted great thanks. As for the people in a township, they are strong, knowledgeable and talented, which is enough to open up people's courage and wisdom. There are elders who are old and sincere, and there are younger generations. Learning from his filial piety, friendliness and kindness will benefit you for life. Such great benefits of Italy are buried without being mentioned, but I don't know that such people are people with deep virtues.

Master, make up one or two things that our ancestors did not finish. It is a man's business for an official to do one or two things that are important in the local area but have not been done. High officials and generous salaries are not a show.

The poor must strive for self-reliance before they can be successful. It is common for several people to be present. If something is lost occasionally, the poor must be accused of stealing it. When a few people are present, they get up and play tricks on others, insisting on using the poor as an excuse. People can't stand on their own feet, so you have to bear these situations, and you have to bear them if you don't.

What is the happiest thing in the world? Wen Mu said: "People who don't borrow money or owe money are either extravagant or thieves when they are not rich or in debt. This is the most rare. Poor people who are not hungry and cold, scholars who learn filial piety and loyalty, businessmen who are familiar with words and principles, sons who know crops, and butchers with old faces (without bureaucratic airs) are especially rare. 」

Children's education: godson

A son is born, not made. As the ancients said, a dutiful son comes from the head of a stick. People don't know that this actually means that if it is copper, it will be made into bronze, and if it is iron, it will be made into iron. Is it reasonable to beat the donkey's head into a horse's face?

Poor scholars punish their servants with whips and sticks, which is the ultimate. However, if you use it occasionally, you will be alert, and if you use it often, you will not take it seriously. So is Godson.

Teaching children behind closed doors is not only promising, but also the most effective place to avoid meeting people with bad character.

Someone asked, where is Gaoming, the mother of Mr. Tao Kan in Jin Dynasty? I said: it is difficult for ordinary people to cut their hair and sell money to prepare meals for their guests. Wen's mother said, No, I didn't know his mother had been teaching her children well until I saw Tao Kan studying hard with a porcelain jar.

(Editor's Note:) Tao Kan was a scholar from Xunyang, Jin Dynasty. He once served as Jingzhou secretariat and Changsha county magistrate, and was in charge of Bazhou army. He led the troops with determination and determination. When I was in Guangzhou, I often took hundreds of porcelain jars out of my study in the morning and went back to my room at night to get inspiration and work hard. Save all the bamboo scraps for later use. Tao Kan often said: Dayu is a saint, but he still cherishes every inch of time. As for ordinary people, he should cherish every minute.

His mother, Zhan, is a famous wife and mother in history. The Taoists were poor, and the Zhan family used all the money from textile to subsidize their families. She taught her son to make better friends than himself, so as to increase his knowledge and status. Although the family is poor, whenever guests come, she treats them well and is not bored at all.

One day, it snowed heavily, and Fan Kui, a Lian Xiao native, went to stay with the Taos. Tao Mu took a new straw mat from the bed and used it to feed the guests' horses. He also quietly cut his hair and sold money to prepare meals for his guests. After learning this, Fan Kui sighed: If it is not such a mother, how can there be a son like Tao Kan?

Children's education: teaching women

A woman who is not familiar with cooking can't run a home without going into the kitchen. Women make friends, meet in the association, but they can't get together.

Thrift and family financial management heirloom

Live at home, don't covet wealth, as the saying goes, "take it easy." Wealth has no bottom. If the family has money, but the expenses are wasted, there will be awkward times. If a family of eight can save enough money and food for ten people and a family of six can save enough money and food for eight people, there will be a surplus of two points. How generous and comfortable it is!

Laziness in bookkeeping is also a problem. Employers take advantage of the opportunity to take advantage of it and take advantage of it, so children and grandchildren doubt each other and become bad blood, which is all triggered from then on. Anyone who negotiates land and money must end it now. If it is delayed, it will be an anecdote.

Between father and son, between master and servant, it is most taboo to haggle over every ounce in small places and treat each other in trivial details. It's really disgusting. It is good for people who live at home to have a living method.

Meaning for the poor and the living.

People who look down on money and like charity are often stingy when they meet their closest relatives, and they are unwilling to give charity for two reasons.

Others owe, even if it is a grain, they will thank you again and again. And the closest people take it for granted, which is one of the reasons why they can't stand it. After two or three times, it is difficult for others to speak again. It has become a habitual practice for relatives and family to ask for help, which is the second reason why they can't stand it.

When relatives come, it's like a dumb person eating coptis. You can't tell what it is. Still a brother, in the same class as his parents, or a nephew of his brother-in-law, and his in-laws are still alive. This mutual affection is hard to cut off even with a sharp axe.

If we are a little wary of his interference and put an end to his idea of borrowing money, he will be firmly tied to the door, brutally swearing and hiding his natural compassion and sincerity. How can you just sit back and watch? This is more serious than passers-by and enemies. How did this happen? You must remember what I said.

Just deal with the social intercourse between relatives and friends according to your own strength and destiny. Poor relatives, let him take advantage of a little, so as to avoid unwarranted slander and slander.

Making friends and intentions

When making friends, only take advantage of his advantages and don't care about his shortcomings. If you meet an honest and straightforward person, you should tolerate his violent habits. When you meet an outstanding person who is different from ordinary people, you should tolerate his frustration and melancholy. When you meet a simple and kind person, you must put up with his blandness. When you meet an open-minded person, you must tolerate his frivolous and flashy habits. This is not only an inconvenient way to gain benefits, but also a way to maintain friendship.

People who have lived under the same roof for many years have long-lasting friendship, among which some scum are indispensable. There will naturally be public opinion about right and wrong, but in my opinion, it should be well-intentioned.

The world is often hurt by the word "kindness". If you want to be a good son, you must have some filial behavior outside. If you want to be a good scholar, you must study hard outside. The heart is invisible. What evidence is there? Anyone who says "kindness" is running away.

Whenever people are in high spirits, remember not to say: this is my character, and it must be like this today. Do it directly and rashly, and there will be bumps and bumps in the end. After a night's sleep, people have to reflect.

Widowed behavior: far from avoiding disaster

Young widows don't have to persuade her to be widowed or force her to remarry. There is a method of direct observation. As long as she stays up late and gets up early, and is not lazy, diligent, busy or idle for a while, she must be a person who will not remarry. Diligence is expertise. If you are poor, you won't know how to worry. If you are rich, you won't know how to be happy. This is an iron and stone means. If you are free, it is difficult to be widowed until you are old. I have the key to taking pictures, and that is: "Widows are diligent and have words. 」

As a widow, even with her brothers and nephews, she can only talk about things in the hall, and can't meet secretly alone. There is someone at home, so we should light the lamp at night.

Widows who do not prohibit male children from entering or leaving the room will be slandered for no reason. Women who wear heavy makeup and dress excessively will be slandered for no reason. Women who often go out to burn incense and watch plays will be slandered for no reason. People who treat people harshly and look down on villagers will be slandered for no reason.

Need to defend libel, no excuse. If it is related to land, property and money, it is more and more difficult to solve it, which must be defended. If it is about the relationship between men and women, ignoring it quietly will naturally be eliminated, which is of course unforgivable. If it is related to the right or wrong of the tongue, it will naturally be understood over time, and there is no need to justify it.

Widows should not accept people's kindness easily. My son is stupid, but I can't repay him. My son is virtuous and filial, and people expect you to repay him. I have never owed anyone in my life. Although I am short of money, I am not short of rice, oil and salt. The rest have endured, and have endured.

Widows who have no offspring must live on their nephews. Even if they are old and sick, they will not rely on others after all.

It is unfortunate to be widowed in middle age, but it is a trivial matter. If you remarry, you will be in trouble. The children in front put a lot of stepmother's evil deeds in their hearts first, and the parents here came out by themselves at the instigation of employing people. People on both sides, observe the general trend, talk about right and wrong. People who have nothing to do outside will not believe it after listening to a sentence or two, but only believe it. It's really impossible for even an honest official to judge, and all the unfortunate sufferings are here.

So what should we do? As long as the head of the family is kind-hearted, thoughtful and proper.

If there is an ex-wife and a mistress at home, no matter right or wrong, they always keep their ears shut. If you are loyal, you will definitely ask for it.

Remembering Zude

Your grandfather was poor at first. Once, he borrowed twenty gold from a man named Zhu to sell rice for a living. After a year, Zhu was seriously ill. He is a servant of Duke Huai, so he dare not let his master know about this private debt. Others are lucky enough to think that the money can be repaid.

At that time, my grandfather lived in Gu Shu's house, and when he got the news of Zhujiajian Island by chance, he came back overnight. He didn't go back to his home first, but went to Zhujiajian Island with the cost and interest he owed.

The person surnamed Zhu is speechless at this time. Grandfather slowly took out his silver and said to him, I have given you everything I owed you before. Please read it and accept it. Unexpectedly, Zhu struggled to stand up and said, "I didn't expect that there are loyal people like you in this world!" " My eyes are closing. May your children and grandchildren live forever. "Say that finish and died.

Grandpa said goodbye to him with tears and returned to his home. Under the pressure of his family, he realized that he had paid back all the money he owed. Some people say that he is really stupid. My grandfather said: I am stupid. The reason why I didn't go home first was that I was afraid of being confused by you people.

How can such great virtue not be remembered?

Conclusion: inspiring words

The preface to the mother's instruction says: "The last lesson is taught first, and it is dictated by my mother's wife, Professor Lu. I believe that family law is good and the cultivation of a good mother is worthwhile. " It can be seen that the mother's words and deeds have a far-reaching impact on her children.

The editor of this article, Mr. Huang Wen, is a native of Wucheng, Urumqi. He was a scholar in Chongzhen of Ming Dynasty and once worked in Huizhou. When the Qing army Enemy at the Gates, he remained indomitable. In the end, the whole family died peacefully and were remembered by the world for their loyalty and loyalty.

There is the teaching of Wen's mother in Sikuquanshu and Mr. Chen Hongmou's Five Methods of Teaching Women. The summary of Sikuquanshu gave a high evaluation of Wen's family education: "Those who know their family are often fame and education, and they can cope with difficulties, not empty words." Mr. Chen Hongmou said in the note of "The Legacy of Teaching Daughters": Although the "Family Instructions for Wenmu" is a common saying in daily use, it is simple, complete and sincere in dealing with the main points of the situation and the methods of managing the family. Every sentence comes from experience, so they can make people think, make people think.

Mr. Hongmou recorded Wenmu's family precepts, and let women know that it is very far-reaching and important to be a wife, a daughter-in-law, a mother, a husband and a child. It is bound to be as profound and sophisticated as Wenmu, and it is considered to be the best way to be a woman. Don't think it's just burning wood to cook.

Note: The full text is translated from Chen Hongmou's "The Legacy of Goddaughter" and classified by translation.