文/佛光星雲(1927~)
一等婆媳:如母女般的親密;
二等婆媳:如朋友般的尊重;
三等婆媳:如君臣般的嚴肅;
劣等婆媳:如冤家般的相聚。
一等丈夫:幽默說笑,助理家務;
二等丈夫:喝茶看報,讚美太太;
三等丈夫:氣勢凌人,嫌東嫌西;
劣等丈夫:在外交際,遊蕩不歸。
一等太太:治家整潔,賢慧有德;
二等太太:慰問丈夫,讚美辛勞;
三等太太:嘮叨不休,嫌怪家事;
劣等太太:搬是弄非,製造事端。
一等朋友:規過勸善,教以正道 ;
二等朋友:患難與共,砌磋互勉 ;
三等朋友:趨炎附勢,以勢利交 ;
劣等朋友:吃喝玩樂,朋比為奸。
──選自《佛光菜根譚》
Relationship Ratings I
Venerable Master Hsing Yun (1927 - )
English translation: Ven. Man Ho
First-rate relationships between
mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws are like
the intimate relationship between mother and daughter.
Second-rate relationships between
mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws are like
the respectful relationship between friends.
Third-rate relationships between
mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws are like
the imperious relationship of queen to subject.
Fourth-rate relationships between
mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws are like
the spiteful relationship of two enemies.
First-rate husbands
have a sense of humor and help with chores.
Second-rate husbands
enjoy tea with their newspaper,
and praise their wives constantly.
Third-rate husbands
are bullies and complainers.
The fourth-rate husband
revel with friends and return home late.
First-rate wives
are virtuous and keep neat homes.
The second-rate wives
comfort and praise their husbands.
Third-rate wives
are nags and complainers.
Fourth-rate wives
gossip and make trouble.
First-rate friends
help correct your mistakes by
showing you the right path.
Second-rate friends
encourage you and stay with you in adversity.
Third-rate friends
hang on influential people and are snobs to all the rest.
Fourth-rate friends
are dissolute, and lead the rest astray.
── from The Everlasting Light