本书拟从中国古代典籍文献中选取历代哲学家、思想家和文学家的富有哲理性的名言警句，进行翻译并加译注。分12章，包括以下内容：1. 品德修养 2. 处世、待人 3. 视人、用人 4. 处境 5. 世态、人情 6. 察言、纳言 7. 人伦 8. 思想感情 9. 思想方法 10. 教育、学习 11. 惜时 12. 养生 13. 哲理 14. 治国、为政 15. 文学艺术

目录：

一  品德修养Cultivating moral integrity　

(一)树德修身Developing morality and molding character

(二)持义守正Upholding justice and maintaining honesty

(三)谦恭Modesty

(四)诚信求实Be trustworthy and realistic

(五)知止节欲Exercising restraint

(六)严己宽人Be strict with  yourself and lenient with others

(七)大公无私Be unselfish

(八)知耻从善Knowing what is shame and following what is good

(九)勇敢顽强Be courageous and steadfast-

二  处世Knowing how to conduct oneself in human relations

(一)谨慎Be prudent

(二)名利富贵Be indifferent to fame and fortune

(三)自强自立Be self-supporting

(四)独善其身Be self-edifying

(五)随遇而安Adapting  yourself to circumstances

(六)淡泊Be nonchalant to worldly concerns

(七)韬光养晦Keeping a low profile and biding your time

(八)隐居归田Enjoying a pastoral life

……

三  识人Understanding people in perspective

四  处境Situations make the difference

五  世态人情Ways of the world

六  纳言Be receptive to good advice

七  人伦交友Human relations and friendships

八  思想感情Ideas and feelings

九  思想方法Way of thinking

十  教育与学习Education and study

十一  惜时Cherishing time

十二  养生Preserving health

十三  哲理Philosophical concepts

十四  治国Governing the country

十五  文学艺术Literature and art

索引 Index

后记 Afterword