Each of the books that you use
Should have its proper place on the shelf.
My books should be classified, placed on the bookshelves,
and in their proper places.
读看毕，还原处。
After you’ve finished your reading,
Put them back in the place they belong.
After I finish reading a book,
I will put it back where it belongs.
虽有急。卷束齐。
Although you may be in a hurry,
You should close your books the right way.
Even if I am in a hurry,
I still must neatly roll up and bind the open bamboo scroll
I have been reading.
有缺坏。就补之。
If the pages or covers are damaged,
Be sure to take time to repair them.
Any missing or damaged pages
ought to be immediately repaired.
非圣书。屏勿视。
What hasn’t been written by sages
Is not something you should be reading.
If it is not a book on the teachings of the saints and
sages,
it should be discarded and not even looked at.
蔽聪明。坏心志。
Such books block your intelligence
And undermine your resolve.
Such books can block my intelligence and wisdom, and
will undermine my aspirations and sense of direction.
勿自暴。勿自弃。
Don’t ever look down on yourself
Or fail to progress toward goodness.
Neither be harsh on myself,
nor give up on myself.
圣与贤。可驯致。
We all can gradually learn
To become worthies and sages.
To be a person of high ideals, moral standards and virtue
is something we can all attain in time.