第21章 精明败家风 朴实振家业

Too much astuteness in social dealings ruins family reputation;plainness and honesty revitalize family businesses.

打算精明，自谓得计，然败祖父之家声者，必此人也；朴实浑厚，初无甚奇，然培子孙之元气者，必此人也。

今文解译

算计十分精明，得逞后便暗自窃喜，然而败坏家庭祖传名声的，必定是这种人。

为人忠厚老实，初看平淡无奇，然而能培养出子孙质朴品质的，必定是这种人。

English Translation

He who is about to ruin the family's fame his ancestors have established must be the one who is too astute in social relationship and self-complacent when he has his way.

He who can cultivate his sons and grandsons into unsophisticated men must be the one who is simple and honest and persists on doing so even if there is little effect in the beginning.