论教育

古之王者莫不以教化为大务。立大学以教于国，设庠序以化于邑.渐民以仁，摩民以义，节民以礼，故其刑罚甚轻而禁不犯者，教化行而习俗美也。

班固：《汉书五，卷十七》

On Education

东山译

Kings of previous dynasties all listed promoting education as their primary task of the government. They set up imperial universities in the capital for training senior officials for the country. They established local schools to educate the public at the provincial and district levels. The kings were benevolent towards their subjects. They exercised righteousness in administration; they practise courtesy and civility towards the commons. Consequently few people violate the law even though the punishments were light. When moral education is prevalent in the whole nation, social customs will become gracious and genteel.

Ban Gu:《Books of the Han Dynasty Vol.5, Book 17》

（原载《海外南开人》100期，12/23/2015）