..续本文上一页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.

　　迈过了「意诚」，第二个门槛是「正心」。何为「正心」？就是「不斜」，又或者说是「不假、不伪、不劣」。何谓「不正」？「有说无做」谓「不正」。今天说了，明天便忘记，称之为「不正」，「讲一套做一套」谓「不正」。说谎是「不正」，偷盗为「不正」，「恶口」是「不正」，「二舌」是「不正」。那么什么才是「正」呢？脚踏实地谓之「正」，实事求是谓之「正」，有讲有做谓之「正」，今天讲了，明天以及以后坚持这样做谓之「正」。不偷盗谓之「正」、不妄语谓之「正」、不恶口谓之「正」、不二舌谓之「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.

　　第三个门槛，也就是人生的第三个台阶，称之为「修身」，刚才提到的「正心」只是在观念、在心中、在脑中明白其中的意思，但人的业力很重，也就是人的「基因」力量很大，要克服业力，又或跨越「基因」的阻力，实在不是容易的事，因此，古训中有「知易行难」的教导。虽然「知易行难」，不等于不可能，因此前辈们教导我们要学习，「勇往直前，不竣不休」的精神，另外，人类也有良好「基因」的一面，称之为「人向高处，水向低流」的自然现象。

　　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为，首先从日常的行为和语言开始，把不良的行为改正，把不好的语言修正，称之修正自己的「口和身」，最后是修正自己的「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.

　　第四个门槛，称之为「齐家」，也就是团结家族成员，把家族中有共同看法的人团结在一起，把认同「团结就是力量」的成员走在一起，向共同的目标而努力。

　　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.

　　这就是「目标和责任」，由自己扩展到「家庭」成员，再到「家族」成员，把更多的人团结在一起，为更多的人谋利益。

　　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.

　　第五个门槛，称之为「治企」，也就是「管治企业」。要成为企业的领袖，并且能令企业健康的成长，以及持续地发展下去，其基本功必须经过「意诚、正心、修身、齐家」这四个阶段。如果没有修炼，又或火候不够，就容易走歪。走歪便没法到达目的地，又或中途受阻，所以说：「脚踏实地」、「实事求是」的重要，古人称「台上一分钟，台下十年功」，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，事业成功是上半场，人生成功是下半场。事业成功只能为我们获得「名、利和社会地位」，而人生的成功才能令我们获得「身体健康、家庭幸福和开心、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.

《入世第一课 The First Lesson Of Entering The Secular World》全文阅读结束。