人與禽獸的不同點，在於人有智慧，知道孝順，守規矩，遵禮法。不懂規矩，不知孝順父母，不知盡忠報國，不知做人的基本條件，那就和牛馬沒有什麼分別。這一點應該要注意，尤其是學生時代，更要注意！

The difference between people and animals is that people have wisdom and know that they should be filial, follow the rules, and observe propriety. People who don't know enough to follow the rules, show filial respect toward their parents, or serve their country are unaware of the basic requirements for being a person and don't differ much from cows and horses. We should pay attention to this, especially when we are studying in school.

孝順父母是令父母高興，令他們精神得到安慰；不是供養父母好吃的東西，好穿的衣服，就認為是盡孝。那麼應該怎樣才算盡孝呢？首先要聽父母的教誨，不可違背父母的話。對父母講話的時候，要畢恭畢敬；應對的時候，要和顏悅色。父母教你做事情，要趕快去做，不可躲懶偷安，或者有不願意的表示。若有了過錯，父母糾正你，更要歡喜地接受，不可不理會父母的指責。天下父母都希望自己的兒子成龍，所以管教非常嚴格，在《三字經》上說：

Being filial to your parents means making them happy and peaceful at heart. Merely giving your parents good food to eat and fine clothes to wear is not enough. How can you be a filial child? First of all, listen to your parents' instructions and be very respectful when speaking to them. Always be pleasant and agreeable in responding to them. When your parents tell you to do something, do it immediately. Don't be lazy or reluctant. If they scold you, accept it gladly and don't ignore it. Parents are strict only because they hope their children will become outstanding people. The Three Character Classic says:

子不教，父之過；
教不嚴，師之惰。

If the son is not taught well,
It is the father's fault;
If the teaching is not strict,
It is the teacher's oversight.

古語說：「棒下出孝子。」這是從前的思想，現在行不通，尤其在美國，簡直沒有聽過，因為美國實行愛的教育，不打不罵，任子女自由發展。總之，太嚴不好，太放任也不好，採取中道，比較合理。中國人注重孝道，曾參（孔子的弟子）有一句話說：「父母在，不遠遊；遊必有方。」大意是說，父母在世的時候，兒子不可以到很遠的地方去，如有必要的事，要到遠方去，必定要有個確實的地址，以免父母掛念。令父母擔心掛念，就是不孝，俗語說：「兒行千里母擔憂」，這就是形容母親對兒子如何地關心。

There is an ancient saying: “The discipline of the rod produces filial children.” These are ideas of the past; they can no longer be applied now. In the United States in particular, such methods are virtually unheard of, because Americans teach their children with love. They don't beat or scold their children, but allow them to develop freely. In general, parents should be neither too strict nor too permissive; they should follow the middle way.

Chinese people honor the practice of filial piety. Zeng Seng, one of Confucius' disciples, said, “When one's parents are alive, one should not travel afar. If one must travel, one should have a definite destination.” Children should not go far away from home and leave their parents. If you have to travel afar on urgent business, you should let your parents know where you will be staying so they won't worry. If you make your parents anxious, you are not being filial. A proverb says: “When the son travels a thousand miles away, the mother is plagued with anxiety.” Mothers are always greatly concerned about their children.

一九八三年九月十六日開示