15. 积善有余庆 积财易遗祸
15. The accumulation of goodness brings about good fortune while the accumulation of wealth invites calamity.

积善之家，必有余庆；积不善之家，必有余殃。可知积善以遗子孙，其谋甚远也。

贤而多财，则损其志；愚而多财，则益其过。可知积财以遗子孙，其害无穷也。

【今文解译】

如果一个家庭多多行善，那么他们的子孙一定会有连绵不断的福祉；如果一个家庭常常作恶，那么他们的后代一定会遭到无休无止的灾祸。由此可知，把家庭的善德留传给子孙是一种目光长远的行为。

一个原本贤能的人如果拥有很多钱财，这些钱财只会削弱他的意志；一个原本愚昧的人如果拥有很多钱财，这些钱财只会加重他的愚昧。由此可知，把家庭积聚的财富遗传给子孙是一种危害无穷的做法。

【English Translation】

If a family has granted a lot of benevolence to others, its descendants will have boundless good fortune. If it has done any malevolence to others, its descendants will be afflicted with endless misfortune. From this we know that it is a long-term consideration for a family to bless its descendants by accumulating benevolence.

If you are wise yet rich at the same time, the riches you have might impair your will. If you are stupid yet rich at the same time, the riches you have might increase your folly. From this we realize that it is an endless misfortune for a family to benefit its descendants with a legacy of accumulated wealth. 0/riZ++WJ4OBokyq1BEDpBt4tjMwgVv++vCxqBQbvipDWahcPLCyXAaamacJG2bA