訓儉示康 Talk about frugality with my son

吾本寒家，世以清白相承。吾性不喜華靡，自為乳兒，長者加以金銀華美之服，輒羞赧棄去之。
I came from a low-social status family, the Upright and integrity is our family motto.
I dont like luxury by nature.
Since I was a child, when the elders put on gold and silver jewelry for me, or put on gorgeous clothes for me, I feel ashamed and take off these items.

二十忝科名，聞喜宴獨不戴花。同年曰：「君賜不可違也。」乃簪一花。
At the age of twenty, I was lucky to pass a examination and be called Jinshi(進士).
At the banquet held by the emperor,
I was the only one who did not wear flowers as decoration.
There was a person who passed this exam at the same time as me,
kindly reminded me:"Its a gift from the emperor and should not rejected."
So, I followed everyone and put on a flower as decoration.

平生衣取蔽寒，食取充腹；亦不敢服垢弊以矯俗干名，但順吾性而已。
All the time in my life,clothes only need to be able to avoid the cold,and food only needs to be able to fill my stomach,then I am satisfied.
But I also dare not deliberately wear ragged or dirty clothes, contrary to common customs to gain attention.
I just do it in accordance with my nature.

眾人皆以奢靡為榮，吾心獨以儉素為美。
Everyone is proud of luxury and gorgeous,
only I think "simple and plain"(儉素) is good.

人皆嗤吾固陋，吾不以為病。
Many people laughed at me as stubborn and clumsy,
but I dont think this is my fault or disadvantage.

應之曰：孔子稱「與其不遜也寧固」；又曰「以約失之者鮮矣」；又曰「士志於道，而恥惡衣惡食者，未足與議也。」
I responded to them: Confucius once said that "it is better to be stubborn than being proud", and he also once said that "few people make mistakes because of simplicity", in addition, he also said:
"If a scholars want to pursue Dao(道)," but thinks it is shameful to eat and clothes that are not gorgeous, for such a scholar, I cant discuss deeper principles with him.

古人以儉為美德，今人乃以儉相詬病。嘻，異哉！
The ancients believed that thrift is a virtue, but modern people laugh at someone because they are frugal, Oh, thats weird!