一時勸人以口，百世勸人以書，

功德悉皆無量，為善最樂。

五戒可保人身，十善可生天界，

因果決定不昧，讀書有益。

──選自《了凡四訓》

The Law of Cause and Effect

Does Not Set Everything in Stone

Yuan Liaofan (1533 - 1606, Ming Dynasty)

English translation: John Balcom

The spoken word is sufficient

to persuade others for a moment,

but books can do that for a hundred years.

To do good is the happiest thing;

the merit is all encompassing.

The five precepts can guarantee

that one is reborn in the human realm;

the ten wholesome conducts

lead to rebirth in the heavenly realm.

The Law of Cause and Effect

does not set everything in stone,

and study is of benefit.

── from Liaofan Si Xun(Liao Fan’s Four Lessons)