men at their birth,
are naturally good.
their natures are much the same;
their habits become widely different.
人之初 性本善 性相近 习相远
if foolishly there is no teaching,
the nature will deteriorate.
the right way in teaching,
is to attach the utmost importance
in thoroughness.
苟不教 性乃迁 教之道 贵以专
of old, the mother of mencius
chose a neighborhood
and when her child would not learn,
she broke the shuttle from the loom.
昔孟母 择邻处 子不学 断机杼
tou of the swallow hills
had the right method
he taught five son,
each of whom raised the family reputation.
窦燕山 有义方 教五子 名俱扬