文／明．高攀龍（1562～1626）

世界第一好事，莫如救難憐貧。

濟人不在大費己財，但以方便存心，

殘羹剩飯，可救人之饑，

敝衣敗絮，可濟人之寒。

酒筵省得一二味，餽贈省得一二品，

少置衣服一二套，省去長物一二件，

切切為貧人算計。

存些盈餘，以濟人急難。

去無用，可成大用，

積小惠，可成大德。

此為善中一大功課。

──選自《高氏家訓》

Mottoes of the Forefathers

Gao Panlong (1562 - 1626, Ming Dynasty)

English translation: William Chong

The greatest deed is none other than relieving the distressed and sympathizing with the poor. Giving relief does not require a large sum of one’s money, but only the call for a mind of expediency. Even leftover soup and rice can satisfy others’ hunger, and ragged clothes can protect others from the cold.

A dish or two dispensed from a banquet, a present or two omitted, an outfit or two excluded from one’s possession, and a luxurious item or two economized can all be one’s consideration for the poor.

Keep some extra savings as relief aids for others at times of emergency, eliminate the purposeless for great purposes, and accumulate small merits for great virtues. This is one major lesson for the deeds of goodness.

── from Gaoshi Jiaxun

(Gao Family Motto)