Di Zi Gui (Chinese: 弟子規; pinyin: Dì Zǐ Guī; Wade–Giles: Ti Tzu Kui, Standards for being a Good Pupil and Child) was written in the Qing dynasty during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (r. 1661–1722) by Li Yuxiu.
The book is based on the ancient teaching of the Chinese philosopher Confucius that emphasises the basic requisites for being a good person and guidelines for living in harmony with others.
[1] Like the San Zi Jing (another classic Chinese children's text), it is written in three-character verses.
The source for the main outline of it is from Analects of Confucius,[2] Book 1, Chapter 6, where Confucius said: A young man should be a good son at home and an obedient young man abroad, sparing of speech but trustworthy in what he says, and should love the multitude at large but cultivate the friendship of his fellow men.
And here's a translation more faithful to the original Chinese text than James Legge's 19th century version above A student should show filial piety at home and respect people outside, behave prudently and trustfully, love all universally, and draw close to sages.
I will maintain a disciplined life and strive for good results in all my studies.
I will serve my parents' funerals with the deepest sorrow and as if they were still alive.
If I am the younger sibling, I will respect and love the older ones and most certainly never forget their birthdays for all time.
The punishment for not respecting the older sibling is to wear all black for three years as penance.
Only when I can maintain harmonious relationships with my siblings am I being dutiful to my parents.
When brothers take money and objects lightly, resentment won't arise among us.
When meeting an elder on the road, quickly go up and bow with hands together.
In front of a respected elder, one's voice has to be low.
朝起早，夜眠遲。老易至，惜此時。晨必盥，兼漱口。便溺回，輒淨手。冠必正，紐必結。襪與履，俱緊切。置冠服，有定位。勿亂頓，致污穢。衣貴潔，不貴華。上循分，下稱家。對飲食，勿揀擇。食適可，勿過則。年方少，勿飲酒。飲酒醉，最為醜。步從容，立端正。揖深圓，拜恭敬。勿踐閾，勿跛倚。勿箕踞，勿搖髀。緩揭簾，勿有聲。寬轉彎，勿觸稜。執虛器，如執盈。入虛室，如有人。事勿忙，忙多錯。勿畏難，勿輕略。鬥鬧場，絕勿近。邪僻事，絕勿問。將入門，問孰存。將上堂，聲必揚。人問誰，對以名。吾與我，不分明。用人物，須明求。倘不問，即為偷。借人物，及時還。後有急，借不難。 I will get up each morning as the sun rises; at night, I shall sleep late.
First follow one's station in life; second suit the family's financial situation.
While still young, don't drink alcohol; being drunk is a most ugly sight.
Walk relaxed and stand straight; bow deep and round, and salute reverently.
Whenever words are said, say them with weight and relaxation, not hurriedly or quickly, nor in a blurred and unintelligible way.
In virtue and learning, in ability and skill, if not as good as others, then spur yourself to catch up.
If it's in clothing and attire, or housing and food, that you are not as good as others, then don't be affected.
Not dissuading the other person from doing wrong damages both parties' character.
Only using reason to make people submit will cause there to be no mutterings.
If I can be close to and learn from people of great virtue and compassion, I will benefit immensely.
不力行，但學文。長浮華，成何人。但力行，不學文。任己見，昧理真。讀書法，有三到。心眼口，信皆要。方讀此，勿慕彼。此未終，彼勿起。寬為限，緊用功。工夫到，滯塞通。心有疑，随札記。就人問，求确義。房室清，墙壁淨。幾案潔，筆硯正。墨磨偏，心不端。字不敬，心先病。列典籍，有定處。讀看畢，還原處。雖有急，卷束齊。有缺壞，就補之。非聖書，屏勿視。敝聰明，壞心志。勿自暴，勿自棄。聖與賢，可馴致。 If I do not actively practice what I have learned, but continue to study on the surface, even though my knowledge is increasing, it is only superficial.
If one only works hard at conduct but does not study writings, then one relies only on his own views, and remains ignorant of true reason.
The way to study requires three things coming together: heart, eyes, and mouth are all necessary.
Widely set limits; tightly apply efforts.
The room should be clean; the wall, clear; the desk, spotless; the pen and inkwell, straight.
Though there may be something urgent, still roll and tie the books up properly first.
Such books cloud the intellect and corrupt one's heart and aspirations.