各位小朋友！你們應該效法聖人，效法賢人，效法頂天立地大丈夫，效法古今中外大英雄。應效法他們的人格、道德，效法他們的學問、佛業。

Young friends! You should take the sages, worthy ones, great men of indomitable spirit, and ancient and contemporary heroes of all countries as your role models. Emulate them in their character, their virtue, their knowledge, and their Buddhist deeds.

你們現在是學習時期，在課堂學習知識和技能，在課外訓練道德和人格。豐富知識健全人格，將來可做一番轟轟烈烈的大事業，為全世界人類謀幸福。所謂「練達人情皆學問」，處處都要有經驗，能有進步，不要怕失敗，失敗是成功之母。

You are now in the stage of learning: In the classroom you acquire knowledge and skills, and outside the classroom you develop your virtue and character. Expand your knowledge and strengthen your integrity, and in the future you’ll accomplish great things and contribute to the happiness and welfare of all humankind. As it’s said, “Tactfulness in human relationships is also a form of knowledge.” You must gain experience in all aspects of life; be capable and make progress in all areas. Don’t be afraid of failure, for failure is the mother of success.

青年人要有一股英雄的氣概，浩氣沖天的威儀，將來必定能成為演說家，傑出的弘法人才。

Young people should have a heroic spirit and a gallant and noble bearing. That way you will certainly become great speakers and outstanding propagators of the Dharma.

你們現在正是打基礎的時期，不但要把學問的基礎打好，也要把人格的基礎打好，人格的基礎比學問的基礎更為重要。古人說：「聖人不死，大亂不止。」人有學問沒有人格，可以造反，為害國家，使全天下大亂，所以要培養高尚的人格，將來為人類服務，定能利益眾生。

Now is the time for you to build your foundation. You should build a good foundation not only of knowledge, but also of character. The foundation of your character is more important than the foundation of knowledge. The ancients said, “Sages never die, and chaos never ceases.” People who have knowledge but lack good character will be rebellious, and that will harm the country and cause chaos throughout the world. We must develop a noble character, so that in the future we can serve humanity and definitely benefit living beings.

欲奠定人格的基礎，先要說正直的話，不要說假話。切記！不說討人歡喜的話，不說違背良心的話。該說話時，一定要說；不應該說話時，一定不要說。要知道「言多必失」的道理。所謂「病從口入，禍從口出。」謹之！慎之！

To establish the foundation of character we should first of all speak truthfully, never falsely. Remember this! Don’t say things just to please people, and don’t say anything that goes against your conscience. When it’s time for you to talk, then talk; when it’s time for you to remain silent, don’t talk. You should know that “he who talks a lot, errs a lot.” It’s also said, “Diseases enter through the mouth; misfortunes issue from it.” So be careful!

孟子給我們立下人格三大標準。他說：

Mencius set three great standards for character. He said,

富貴不能婬，
貧賤不能移，
威武不能屈。

When wealthy, I will not indulge;
When poor, I will not compromise
     my principles;
When intimidated, I will not submit.

在富貴的時候，要守規矩，也就是不婬亂。在貧賤的時候，不改變志氣，也就是不被境界所轉。在威武勢力壓迫之下，不屈服不投降，也就是名利來誘惑也不變節。要有這種至大至剛做人的志氣，才能成為一個有用的人。

When you are wealthy, be self-disciplined and refrain from licentiousness. When in poverty, don’t alter your resolve; that is, don’t be influenced by circumstances. When oppressed by those with power, don’t cower or surrender. Faced with the lure of fame or benefit, don’t compromise your integrity. With such adamantine determination to be an ethical person, you will be able to make useful contributions to the world.

一九八三年九月四日
對學生開示於萬佛聖城