《大学》英译（八）

所谓齐其家在修其身者，人之其所亲爱而辟焉，之其所贱恶而辟焉，之其所敬畏而辟焉，之其所哀矜而辟焉，之其所敖惰而辟焉，故好而知其恶，恶而知其美者，天下鲜矣！故谚有之曰：“人莫之其子之恶，莫知其苗之硕。”此谓身不修，不可以齐其家。<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

What is meant by “The regulation of one’s family depends on the cultivation of his person,” is this: –Men are partial where they feel affection and love; partial where they despise and dislike; partial where they stand in awe and reverence; partial where they feel sorrow and compassion; partial where they are arrogant and rude. Thus it is that there are few men in the world, who love, and at the same time know the bad qualities of the object of their love, or who hate, and yet know the excellences of the object of their hatred. Hence it is said, in the common adage, “A man does not know the wickedness of his son; he does not know the richness of his growing corn.” This is what is meant by saying that if the person be not cultivated, a man cannot regulate his family.