I will get up each morning before my parents; at night, I will go to bed only after my parents have gone to sleep. When I realize that time is passing me by and cannot be turned back, and that I am getting older year by year, I will especially treasure the present moment.20 When I get up in the morning, I will wash my face and brush my teeth. After using the toilet, I will always wash my hands.
I must wear my hat straight,21 and make sure the hooks22 of my clothes are tied. My socks and shoes should also be worn neatly and correctly. I will always place my hat and clothes away in their proper places. I will not carelessly throw my clothes around, for that will get them dirty.
20 There is an old Chinese proverb: “A unit of time is as precious as a unit of gold, but you cannot buy back one unit of time with one unit of gold.” It means that time is really very precious, as no amount of money can buy time.
21 Guan“冠”means hat. In ancient China, when a male wore a hat, it meant he had attained the age of an adult.
22 In ancient China, in place of buttons, people used hooks. When dressed, hooks had to be tied.