..續本文上一頁oing it voluntarily, it is called sincerity. If one wants to make a difference, to be a useful person, the Confucian school concludes from several cases, and summarizes as follows: to be successful, the first step needs to start from heart, start from oneself. This step is called sincerity, which is the most important step. But the theorists in society seem to forget this step, or intentionally neglect it, which results in most people not to value this enough.

　　邁過了「意誠」，第二個門檻是「正心」。何爲「正心」？就是「不斜」，又或者說是「不假、不僞、不劣」。何謂「不正」？「有說無做」謂「不正」。今天說了，明天便忘記，稱之爲「不正」，「講一套做一套」謂「不正」。說謊是「不正」，偷盜爲「不正」，「惡口」是「不正」，「二舌」是「不正」。那麼什麼才是「正」呢？腳踏實地謂之「正」，實事求是謂之「正」，有講有做謂之「正」，今天講了，明天以及以後堅持這樣做謂之「正」。不偷盜謂之「正」、不妄語謂之「正」、不惡口謂之「正」、不二舌謂之「正」。

　　After stepping through sincerity, the second threshold is “a straight mind”. What is a straight mind

　　 It means not crooked, or we could say, not false, not faking, not being bad. What is not straight

　　 Talking without action is not straight. Saying something today and forgetting it tomorrow, this is not straight. Saying one thing and doing another is not straight. Lying is not straight, stealing is not straight, speaking evil words is not straight, and speaking poisonous words to destroy others” relationship is not straight. Then what is being straight

　　 Standing on solid ground is straight, following the facts is straight, and speaking words with action is straight. Saying something today, following through tomorrow, and being persistent in the same action in the future is straight. Not stealing is straight, not speaking false language is straight, not speaking evil words is straight, and not speaking poisonous words to turn people against each other is straight.

　　第叁個門檻，也就是人生的第叁個臺階，稱之爲「修身」，剛才提到的「正心」只是在觀念、在心中、在腦中明白其中的意思，但人的業力很重，也就是人的「基因」力量很大，要克服業力，又或跨越「基因」的阻力，實在不是容易的事，因此，古訓中有「知易行難」的教導。雖然「知易行難」，不等于不可能，因此前輩們教導我們要學習，「勇往直前，不竣不休」的精神，另外，人類也有良好「基因」的一面，稱之爲「人向高處，水向低流」的自然現象。

　　The third threshold, which is also the third step in our life, is called cultivating one”s moral character. We just mentioned that sincerity is a concept; we might understand the meaning in our heart and our mind, but the power of a human being”s karma is very strong. In other words, the power of genes is strong. To overcome the power of karma, or to leap over the barriers of genes, is truly not an easy task. Therefore, there is an ancient”s teaching which said, “To know it is easy, but to do it is difficult.” Although it is easier known than done, it is not impossible, so our predecessors asked us to learn the spirit of “go forward bravely and do not rest until we complete the mission”. Human genes also have a good side, which called “People tend to walk to high spots; water tends to flow to low ground.” This is a natural phenomenon.

　　「修身」，也就是修正自己的不良行爲，首先從日常的行爲和語言開始，把不良的行爲改正，把不好的語言修正，稱之修正自己的「口和身」，最後是修正自己的「意」，所以「修身」就是修正自己的「身、口、意」。

　　To cultivate one”s moral character means to correct one”s bad behaviors. First, we need to start with action and language in daily life, correct bad behaviors, and rephrase bad language. This is called modifying our mouth and body. Lastly we need to modify our mind. Thus, to cultivate one”s moral character is to modify ones” body, mouth, and mind.

　　第四個門檻，稱之爲「齊家」，也就是團結家族成員，把家族中有共同看法的人團結在一起，把認同「團結就是力量」的成員走在一起，向共同的目標而努力。

　　The fourth threshold called “to govern one”s family”, also means to unite all the family members, gather the members who share the same perspectives, and let the members who agree with this idea, “In Unity There Is Strength” walk together, and work towards the same goals.

　　這就是「目標和責任」，由自己擴展到「家庭」成員，再到「家族」成員，把更多的人團結在一起，爲更多的人謀利益。

　　This involves setting goals and carrying responsibility: expanding this concept from ourselves to our family members, and then on to clan members; thusly, uniting more people to produce benefits for more people.

　　第五個門檻，稱之爲「治企」，也就是「管治企業」。要成爲企業的領袖，並且能令企業健康的成長，以及持續地發展下去，其基本功必須經過「意誠、正心、修身、齊家」這四個階段。如果沒有修煉，又或火候不夠，就容易走歪。走歪便沒法到達目的地，又或中途受阻，所以說：「腳踏實地」、「實事求是」的重要，古人稱「臺上一分鍾，臺下十年功」，道理就在其中。

　　The fifth threshold is called “governing the enterprise”, or managing the enterprise. If one desires to be the leader of an enterprise, and ensure the enterprise to grow up healthy, and develop continually, the basic lesson is to pass these four stages: sincerity, straight might, cultivate one”s moral character, and to govern one”s family. If we don”t practice diligently, or are not mature enough, we could easily go in the wrong direction. If we head in the wrong direction, then we will not reach the destination, or we might encounter obstructions in midway. Therefore, “to stand on solid ground and to follow the facts” is important, that is why an ancient once said, “one minute on stage requires ten years of practice”.

　　人生真的不容易，事業成功是上半場，人生成功是下半場。事業成功只能爲我們獲得「名、利和社會地位」，而人生的成功才能令我們獲得「身體健康、家庭幸福和開心、自在」。

　　To live in this world is not easy. To be successful in one”s career is only the first half part; the other half is to be successful in life. To be successful in a career can only let us gain fame, wealth and status. To be successful in life will let us gain health, a happy family, joy, and a carefree life.

《入世第一課 The First Lesson Of Entering The Secular World》全文閱讀結束。