夫君子愛口，孔雀愛羽，虎豹愛爪，此皆所以治身法也。
As a rule, men of quality are careful of their mouths, peacocks are careful of their feathers, and tigers and leopards are careful of their claws, for these are all things by means of which they keep themselves secure.
上交者不失其祿，下交者不離於患。
Those who associate with people of higher rank do not lose their stipends, whereas those who associate with people of lower rank do not meet with calamity.
是以君子擇人與交，農人擇田而田。
That is why a man of quality selects the people he associates with and farmers select the fields that they till.
君子樹人，農夫樹田。
A man of quality establishes people as a farmer establishes fields.
田者擇種而種之，豐年必得粟；士擇人而樹之，豐時必得祿矣。
One who tills fields selects the seeds that he plants; thus, in good years he will be sure to obtain wheat.
An officer selects the people he establishes; thus, when times are propitious, he will be sure to reap rewards.