Admonishments to Officials

东山 译

You cannot make true friends by offering meat and wine,

Better guard against drifting into the underworld twine.

Always be near and dear to the upright and honest；

In your own family role models of morality should be sought.

When promoted to be officials and powerful,

You should to the country and people be grateful.

If you become greedy, ruthless and cold-blooded,

Your time in learning sages’ teachings is wasted.