“Zengguang Xianwen”. Also known as “Xishi Xianwen” and “Gujin Xianwen”, it is a Taoist children’s enlightenment book compiled in the Ming Dynasty of China. The title of the book was first seen in the opera “Mudanting” during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. Based on this, it can be inferred that the book was written at the latest during the Wanli period. “Zengguang Xianwen” collects various Chinese maxims and proverbs from ancient times to the present. Later, after continuous additions by scholars in the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was changed to its current form, called “Zengguang Xishi Xianwen”, commonly known as “Zengguang Xianwen”.
《增广贤文》。又名《昔时贤文》《古今贤文》，是中国明代时期编写的道家儿童启蒙书目。书名最早见之于明万历年间的戏曲《牡丹亭》，据此可推知此书最迟写成于万历年间。《增广贤文》集结中国从古到今的各种格言、谚语。后来，经过明、清两代文人的不断增补，才改成现在这个模样，称《增广昔时贤文》，通称《增广贤文》。
《增广贤文·118》 佚名
祖宗富贵，
自诗书中来，
子孙享富贵而贱诗书；
祖宗家业，
自勤俭中来，
子孙得家业而忘勤俭。
以孝律身，
即出将入相，
都做得妥妥亭亭，
以忍气；
虽横祸飞灾，
也免脱千千万万。
The wealth created by ancestors
Originates in books and scriptures,
Descendants of ten enjoy the wealth
But despise books and scriptures;
The homes established by ancestors
Originate in thrift and diligence,
Descendants often receive the homes
But forget about thrift and diligence.
You can keep doing things properly
Even when you become a general
Or a Prime Minister,
If you can restrict yourself to filial duty;
You can always escape troubles and disasters
Even when they come unexpectedly and quickly,
If you can dispel your anger with endurance.
