节俭有助于养成质朴勤劳的德操。

Frugality cultivates virtue

形容时机短暂。旋踵，转过脚后跟。

Opportunity does not return

足与足，肩与肩相接近，形容极亲近。

Walking carefully and balancing shoulders

选拔有道德的人和使用有才能的人。论，通“抡”。

Discuss virtue to enable ability

拆除房屋以求捕得狸猫。比喻因小失大。

Seeking a Raccoon at the Hair Shop

败坏道德和操守。

Corrupt in virtue and shameful in conduct

磨砺德行，建树功名。

Polish conduct and establish reputation

全部取消之意。同“一笔勾消”。

A single stroke severs

指公开攻击容易对付，暗地陷害劫难于防备。亦作“明枪易躲，暗箭难防”。

Open attacks are easy to avoid, hidden arrows are hard to guard against

指遵循预兆行事。

Observing signs of omens

凭借正气，主持正义。

Upholding righteousness despite resentment

指惟利是视。

Only pursues profit

以不正当手段逐取名利。 金 王若虚 《论语辨惑二》：“蓋其心術不謹，趨向一差，則要利盜名，文姦濟惡，皆學之力也。”

Desire to profit by stealing fame

损害自己，使别人得利。

help others at ones own expense

指臣僚的果敢决断。

A pledge of loyalty like a dog or horse

当着人背着人。当面一套背后一套

In front of people and behind their backs

尊者谦虚而显示其美德。

Humble and honorable

战国时张仪劝导秦国以连衡破合从，以诡诈手段欺骗楚国背齐向秦。后遂因以之表示挑拨离间。

Lure Qin and deceive Chu

指抛弃仁义。

Hammering benevolence and upholding righteousness

阿谀：曲意逢迎。曲意逢迎讨好别人

Flatter and follow