Among all things under the blue sky

There are two warning considerations:

One is requirement implanted in our bodies,

Another is conviction of our minds

About what is wrong and what is right.

The love of a son for his parents, let me say,

Is the implanted requirement and can never

Be separated from his nature;

The service of a manservant to his master

Is what is right, and from its obligation

There is no escaping anywhere in the space

Between Earth and Heaven.

So, a son finds his rest in serving his parents

Without reference to or a choice of placement;

And this is the height of filial duty.

In the same way a manservant finds his rest

In serving his master, without reference to

Or a choice of the trade;--

And this is the fullest discharge of fidelity.

When men are simply obeying the wills of heart,

The considerations of grief and joy

Are not readily set before them. They know that

There is no alternative to their acting as they do

And rest in it as what is appointed;--

And this is the highest achievement of virtue.

He who is in a position of a manservant or

Of a son has indeed to do what he cannot,

But he somehow does. Occupied with a trade in hand

And forgetful of his own self, what leisure

Has he to think of his pleasure in living

Or his dislike of death?

What's more, let our mind find its enjoyment

In the circumstances of our current situation;

Nourish the central course, which we try to pursue

By the reference to our unavoidable duties;--

This is the highest object for us to pursue!

What else can we do to fulfil the charge

Of our good parents and our superiors

If the latter are wise? The best thing we can do

Is to be prepared to sacrifice our selves;

And this, you should know that,

Is the most difficult thing to do in a proper way

Because we all make mistakes.