39. 教育子弟 要严交游
39. To educate disciples, it is better to do so by setting rigid rules on their social intercourse.

教弟子 ^① 如养闺女，最要严出入、谨交游。若一接近匪人 ^② ，是清净田种下一不净的种子，便终身难植嘉禾 ^③ 矣！

【中文注释】

① 弟子：此处系指学生或追随者。

② 匪人：本指非亲非故之人。现指品行不端的人。

③ 嘉禾：长势喜人的庄稼。

【今文解译】

教书育人如同养育待字闺中的姑娘，最要紧的是要求她们日常起居要有规矩，与人交往要小心谨慎。一旦不小心接触了不该接触的人，就好比在干净的田地里撒下了不良的种子，一辈子休想种出好的庄稼。

【English Translation】

Educating disciples can be compared to bringing up daughters. The most important thing thereby is to set rigid rules on their daily life and social intercourse. In case they make any acquaintance of ill-behaved ones, it would be like sowing a bad seed in the clean farmland. Consequently, no good crops can be expected over there for a lifetime. 6gw6eOZTK3l2bQ8Xm7smoCocpIHNJDFsNBqcI2VFENkkK6nGWNiUKWgtlfqx5PQP