人之初
性本善
性相近
習相遠
苟不教
性乃遷
教之道
貴以專


Ren zhi chu
Xing ben shan
Xing xiang jin
Xi xiang yuan
Gou bu jiao
Xing nai qian
Jiao zhi dao
Gui yi zhuan


When man is born,
At the root, he is good.
Everyone's nature is the same
But everyone experiences different things.
If there is no Way,
We will move away from our nature.
The teaching of the Way
Is valuable because it is particular to each man.

wang yinglin - san zhi sing (three character classics) - 13th century
Translation by Jepper Stone
www.worldprayers.org