is correct.
In fact, what I know is not the truth.
读书法。有三到。
When you’re pursuing your studies,
On the “three places” focus attention:
There are methods to study correctly.
They involve concentration in three areas:
心眼口。信皆要。
Your mind, your eyes and your mouth.
It’s important to train all these three.
my mind, my eyes, and my mouth.
To believe in what I read is equally important.
方读此。勿慕彼。
When you’ve taken up study of something,
Don’t let yourself become sidetracked.
When I begin to read a book,
I will not think about another.
此未终。彼勿起。
Be sure that you’ve finished one project
Before starting off on another.
If I have not completed the book,
I will not start another.
宽为限。紧用功。
Let your goals be lofty and broad.
Let your efforts be focused and steady.
I will give myself lots of time to study,
and I will study hard.
工夫到。滞塞通。
Once you have skill and experience,
You’ll solve every problem with ease.
If I devote enough time and effort,
I will thoroughly understand.
心有疑。随札记。
When a question comes up in your reading,
Make note of it before you forget.
If I have a question,
I will make a note of it.
就人问。求确义。
Then ask someone else who will know,
And who can explain the meaning.
I will ask the person who has the knowledge
for the right answer.
房室清。墙壁净。
Your room should be kept neat and tidy,
With walls and floors uncluttered and clean.
I will keep my room neat,
my walls uncluttered and clean,
几案洁。笔砚正。
Your desk should be kept in good order,
Pencils, paper, and pens well arranged.
my desk tidy and
my brush and inkstone properly placed.
墨磨偏。心不端。
If your desk and papers are messy,
It is likely your mind’s mixed up too.
If my ink block is ground unevenly,
it shows I have a poor state of mind.
字不敬。心先病。
If your writing is sloppy and careless,
It’s likely your mind is not focused.
When words are written carelessly, showing no respect,
this shows my state of mind has not been well.
列典籍。有定处。