立體有義矣，而孝為本；處喪有禮矣，而哀為本；戰陳有隊矣，而勇為本；治政有理矣，而能為本；居國有禮矣，而嗣為本；生才14有時矣，而力為本。
In establishing oneself there is active virtue, and filial devotion is the basis of such virtue.
In mourning for the deceased there are rules of ceremony, and sincere grief is the basis of those rules.
置本不固，無務豐末；親戚不悅，無務外交；事無終始，無務多業；聞記不言，無務多談；比近不說，無務修遠。
In battle there is organization of ranks, and courage is the basis for such organization. In administering the government there are regulations, and agriculture is the basis of those regulations.
In ruling a state there are customary rites, and family descent is the basis of those rites.
是以反本修邇，君子之道也。
In producing wealth there is judgment of opportunity, and diligence is the basis of such judgment.
“If these roots are not established, then one need not seek to multiply the stems; if one fails to please one’s own relations, then one need not seek to form friendships and alliances; if one’s own projects are left incomplete, then one need not multiply one’s enterprises; if one cannot express what one has heard and remembered, then one need not talk at length with others; and if one fails to please one’s near neighbors, one need not cultivate relations with people far away.
Thus, it is evident that returning to the root and cultivating what is close at hand is the way of a man of quality.”