My grandson, you are now named and grown,
Come forward, and hear what I must make known.
Since you have donned the cap of manhood's rite,
You shall be treated as a man upright.
Your given name is 'Rule', your style 'Square Elder',
Attend to the meaning I now tell you.
The rule is used to draw a square so true,
A tool of measure, tried and ever new.
All squares beneath the sky, however vast,
Cannot escape this measure, held fast.
In human affairs, the principle's the same,
No truth exists beyond this constant frame.
This principle springs from our inborn nature,
A single root, a unified stature.
It spreads through all things, each in its own place,
Each finds its proper limit, time, and space.
What's right is not easy, yet one truth applies,
Though forms are myriad, one standard underlies.
Clear-cut, it holds established laws in store,
Square and upright, with no crookedness at core.
The sage acts with ease, his desires confined
Never to overstep this rule designed.
The worthy strive and practice to restore,
Their every turn must hit the mark once more.
Students who think on sages, in their quest,
In learning too must follow this behest.
Their choice must be discerning, sharp and bright,
Their grasp must be unwavering, firm, and tight.
The law is set from within, not from without,
The square comes not from outside, of this no doubt.
If one looks at what rites forbid to see,
Then looking is unlawful, you'll agree.
In seeing, it becomes a crooked line,
Following objects, a gaze that's not thine.
If one listens to what rites forbid to hear,
Then listening is unlawful, loud and clear.
In hearing, it becomes a crooked way,
Following objects, a response gone astray.
If one speaks what rites forbid to say,
Then speaking is unlawful, come what may.
In speech, it becomes a crooked course,
Following objects, a reckless discourse.
If one acts as rites forbid to do,
Then action is unlawful, through and through.
In motion, it becomes a crooked path,
Following objects, a misguided aftermath.
Only when seeing is square, it's clear and bright,
Not leaning toward what's wrong in ritual's sight.
Only when hearing is square, it's keen and wise,
Not following what's wrong before your eyes.
Only when speech is square, it's trusted, true,
Not pandering to wrong in all you do.
Only when action is square, it's straight and right,
Not moving toward wrong with all your might.
Hold fast to my rule in each single case,
Let no selfish thought find a hiding place.
Reject the act of bending for a gain,
Beware the cunning meet, the dishonest strain.
Let the straight way rein in your galloping steed,
No conduct unchecked, no reckless deed.
What's acceptable, then you may embrace,
What's not must be refused, and given no space.
In friendship, keep yourself square and sincere,
Do not follow the unworthy, disappear.
The good you follow, the bad you must subdue,
In handling affairs, keep square and true.
Do not sink with the bad, do not comply,
Following objects makes a circle, sly.
Not a true circle, but a partial bend,
Mingling with filth, the square's rules you offend.
First be square, then the circle you may gain,
Thus the circle's wholeness you'll retain.
When nothing fails to be a perfect square,
Then nothing fails the perfect circle's share.
Your every look and move in rites will blend,
Following your heart, the Confucian way you'll tend.
Not just skilled in squareness, a familiar art,
But truly at ease in the circle's part.
The sage's law endures for ages hence,
Rule yourself, and strive with diligence.
Hearing your name, reflect with cautious dread,
Hearing your style, with reverence turn your head.
May you feel no shame for this meaning's weight,
Embrace it always, earnest and sedate.