Received a children's version of the 'Three Character Classic' from a friend. The edition comes with a CD, which I thought would be a massive help, until I heard the rap-style recital of the lines, which is set to some ferocious beats. In any case, here's the collection's first few lines, here accompanied by Herbet Giles' translation from 1910:
人之初，性本善。
Men at their birth are naturally good.
性相近，習相遠。
Their natures are much the same; their habits become widely different.
苟不教，性乃遷。
If foolishly there is no teaching, the nature will deteriorate.
教之道，貴以專。
The right way in teaching is to attach the utmost importance in thoroughness.
Most of us had to recite the "Three Character Classic" when young. The translation version is good! Thank you for sharing.
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