少儿文学启蒙：《增广贤文》汉英对照

有盐同咸，无盐同淡。

人间私语，天若闻雷;

暗室亏心，神目如电。

一毫之恶，劝人莫作;

一毫之善，与人方便。

终身让路，不枉百步;

终身让畔，不失一段。

难合亦难分，易亲亦易散。

口说不如身行，耳闻不如目见。

只见锦上添花，未闻雪里送炭。

When you have salt, share the saltiness,

When you have no salt, share the tastelessness.

Wickedness in darkness is as clear to the gods

As if it were illuminated by lighting.

Human whispers are as loud as thunder

When listened to by heaven.

Even a tiny bit of malevolence

Should be avoided,

Even a tiny bit of benevolence

Enables you to provide people with convenience1.

If you always give way to others in your life,

You will hardly go a hundred steps all together.

If you do not struggle for as tiny bit of a field,

You will not lose the border.

What is difficult to put together

Is difficult to pull apart,

Those who easily get close

Will easily get estranged.

Talking is not as useful as acting.

Hearing is not as reliable as seeing.

Sending charcoal in snowy weather is rare,

Only adding flowers to brocade is often seen.

(1) A concerned famous saying goes like this:

Providing people with convenience

Equals providing yourself with convenience.