| | Yuezheng Zichun injured his foot while descending the hall steps, and for several months did not go out, still showing a worried expression. His students said: "Master's foot has healed." "After several months of not going out, you still have a worried expression—why is that?" He said: "I heard from Zengzi that when parents give birth to a child in full health, and the child returns it in full health, this can be called filial." Not damaging one's body, not disgracing oneself—this may be called completeness. Therefore, a gentleman dares not forget filial piety even in the smallest step. Now I have forgotten the way of filial piety; this is why I bear a worried expression. With every step taken, one dares not forget one's parents; with every word spoken, one dares not forget them. With each step, one does not take a shortcut but follows the proper path, and when crossing water, one takes a boat rather than swim—daring not to risk one's body, which was left by one's parents, in danger. With every word spoken, one ensures that harsh or angry words do not leave one's mouth, so that such words never reach others' ears; thus, one does not disgrace oneself and brings no shame upon one's parents—this can be called filial.
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