Units and tens,
then tens and hundreds,
hundreds and thousands,
thousands and then tens of thousands.
The three forces,
are heaven, earth and man.
The three luminaries,
are the sun, the moon and the stars.
The three bonds,
are the obligation between sovereign and subject,
the love between father and child,
the harmony between husband and wife.
We speak of spring and summer,
we speak of autumn and winter,
These four seasons,
revolve without ceasing.
We speak of North and South,
we speak of East and West,
These four points,
respond to the requirements of the centre.
We speak of water, fire,
wood, metal and earth.
These five elements,
have their origin in number.
We speak of charity, of duty towards one neighbour,
of propriety, of wisdom, and of truth.
These five virtues,
admit of no compromise.
Rice, spike, millet, pulse,
wheat, glutinous millet and common millet,
These six grains,
are those which men eat.
The horse, the ox, the sheep,
the fowl, the dog, the pig.
These six animals,
are those which men keep.
We speak of joy, of anger,
we speak of pity, of fear,
of love, of hate and of desire.
These are the seven passions.
The ground, earthenware, skin
wood, stone, metal,
silk and bamboo,
yield the eight musical sounds.
Great great grandfather, great grandfather, grandfather,
father and self,
self and son,
son and grandson,
from son and grandson,
on to great grandson and great great grandson.
These are the nine agnates,
constituting the kinships of man.
Affection between father and child,
harmony between husband and wife,
friendliness on the part of elder brothers,
respectfulness on the part of younger brothers,
precedence between elders and youngers,
as between friend and friend.
Respect on the part of the sovereign,
loyalty on the part of the subject.
These ten obligations,
are common to all men.
In the education of the young,
there should be explanation and elucidation,
careful teaching of the interpretations of commentators,
and due attention to paragraphs and sentences.
