10月31日

《顏氏家訓》選 ─ 止足
北齊 顏之推 ( 531~591 )

《禮》云：「欲不可縱，志不可滿。」
宇宙可臻其極，情性不知其窮，唯在
少欲知足，為立涯限爾。先祖靖侯戒
子姪曰：「汝家書生門戶，世無富貴；
自今仕宦不可過二千石，婚姻勿貪勢
家。」吾終身服膺，以為名言也。

──選自《顏氏家訓》

October 31

Excerpts from Family Instructions of Master Yan - Being Self-Sufficien
Yan Zhitui (531 - 591, Northern Qi Dynasty)
English translation: Hsin-Yu Huang

It is said in the Book of Rites that, "Desires cannot be
indulged and pride cannot be fulfilled." The universe may
reach its limit, but human nature cannot be exhausted. Only
by being content and having fewer desires can we set a limit.

Our ancestor, Marquis Jing of Jin, once admonished his
nieces, "Your family is that of scholars and have never been
rich or honored for generations. From this day on, as officials,
your salary should not exceed 2,000 dan*. For marriages, do
not seek for families with power." I have followed his words
all my life, and regarded it as my motto.

── from Yan Shi Jiaxun (Family Instructions of Mister Yan)

* A measurement of weight where one dan equals approximately 31
kilograms.