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教育有八種條目，在孔夫子的《大學》裡頭講「三綱領」、「八條目」。三綱領就是「明明德，新民，止於至善」。八條目就是「格物、致知、誠意、正心、修身、齊家、治國，平天下」。這是一整套做人的方法，也是治家、治國的方法。若能教育學生把三綱領、八條目都學之於身，行之於身，那麼這樣教育整個世間的下一代，就會令他們都能不要捨本逐末。
現在一般的教育，教育學生只知道將讀書讀成就了，怎麼樣去找一個高的職位，賺錢賺得多，怎麼樣能做世界的名人，世界的第一人。這是你沒有教他基本的做人的條件，就教他去爭名奪利，這叫捨本逐末，背道而馳。背著道去做事情，這是大錯而特錯。所以我們做老師的，為人的師表，應該注意學生的品德和智慧。要開啟他的智慧之源，令他把本有智慧的泉源發掘出來，所以要耐心地去教育，這個事情的責任是非常重大的。你若把學生都教育得人人知道愛護自己的身，自己的家，自己的國，那麼，你不求世界和平，它也和平了。因為人人不給自己麻煩了，也就不給旁人麻煩了。不在家庭做不合理的事情，那麼在團體裡邊也會做循規蹈矩的良好公民。在社會上也就能影響一般人都是互相尊重，互相愛敬，不會互相欺騙，互相打妄語。
這個地方我相信是很要緊的，所以我們一般人，現在都忽略這根本的問題了，都往末梢上跑，跑來跑去，離做人的本份越跑越遠。我今天本照我很沒有經驗、很沒有學識的話，對大家來講這一種很普通的道理，可說是白水熬白菜，淡而無味。雖然沒有什麼味道，但是你若吃了白菜和白菜湯，就能解去很多的毒氣。
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There are Eight Articles of education. The Great Learning of Confucius discusses the Three Principles and Eight Articles. The Three Principles are to "illustrate the bright virtue, renew the people, and rest in the highest goodness." The Eight Articles are to "get rid of desires, extend knowledge, make the thoughts proper, rectify the mind, cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world." This is a complete set of methods for being a person, managing a family and ruling a country. If we can educate the next generation of the world by teaching all students to learn the Three Principles and Eight Articles and put them into practice, then they won't forget what's vital and chase after unimportant things.
The typical education nowadays only teaches students how to get a high position and make a lot of money after they graduate, how to become famous, and how to be number one in the world. Instead of teaching them the basic requirements for being a person, we teach them to contend for fame and profit. This is known as renouncing the root to chase after branches, and going against the Way. To do things against the Way is a great mistake. Therefore, teachers should serve as good role models, and pay attention to students' integrity and wisdom. Open up the source of wisdom for them, and help them uncover their inherent wisdom. Be patient in educating them, for this is an extremely important responsibility. If you can teach every student to cherish his body, his family, and his country, then even if you aren't seeking world peace, the world will become peaceful. Why? People will not make trouble for themselves or for others. They won't do irrational things at home and they will be good law-abiding citizens in the community. In the society they will influence people to honor and cherish one another, and not cheat or lie to one another.
I believe that this is extremely crucial. However, most people have ignored this fundamental issue, and run off to pursue superficial matters. Running here and there, they get farther and farther from the basic human obligations. Today, I have spoken these inexperienced and unknowledgeable words to tell everyone a very simple principle. You may say it is as tasteless as cabbage boiled in plain water. Although there's not much flavor, if you eat the cabbage and drink the soup, it can neutralize a lot of toxic energy.
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