人之初 性本善 性相近 習相遠
Men at their birth,
are naturally good.
Their natures are much the same;
their habits become widely different.
苟不教 性乃遷 教之道 貴以專
If follishly there is no teaching,
the nature will deteriorate.
The right way in teaching,
is to attach the utmost importance
in thoroughness.
昔孟母 擇鄰處 子不學 斷機杼
Of old, the mother of Mencius
chose a neighbourhood
and when her child would not learn,
she broke the shuttle from the loom.
