孝
游子天涯欢久违，思亲每望白云飞，昊天罔极恩难极，翘长官空泪满衣。
弟
伯仲贤名亘古今，埙篪迭奏意尤深，俾余怀抱期相和，不在声音只在心。
忠
三顾茅庐恩欲酬，出师未捷竟淹留，功名却负英雄愿，一点丹心死不休。
信
范张三载约如期，千里云山竟不辞，客至主人鸡黍熟，交游到此是相知。
礼
周公礼乐欲如何，治国安民贵用和，古往今来遵圣道，万年芳躅镇山河。
义
吾生最爱范公贤，却为宗人立义田，千顷恩波遗后世，百年谁后更依然。
廉
解缓归来卧北窗，飘然白日到羲皇，门垂五柳交游息，靖节高风趣味长。
耻
不食周禄秉忠竭，甘贫去采阳山蕨，此心耻与污者同，千古清风吹汉月。
圣人千言万语教人为善，余特立二十四味劝善良方，尤揭其大
者八事，以告人观者，幸咀嚼方歌，意味亦未必非进善之一助也，敢曰诗云乎哉。
云山人龚廷贤漫书
Filial Piety (Xiao)
The wanderer drifts at the ends of the earth, long separated from the joy of family reunion; missing parents, he often gazes at the flying white clouds. The grace of Heaven is boundless and hard to fathom; raising his head in vain to the empty sky, tears fill his clothes.
Brotherhood (Di)
The virtuous reputation of brothers spans past and present; like the harmonious playing of Xun (clay ocarina) and Chi (zither), their mutual affection is particularly deep. May my heart's hope be for mutual harmony; this lies not in the coordination of sounds, but in the unity of hearts.
Loyalty (Zhong)
To repay the kindness of Liu Bei's three visits to the thatched cottage, he went out to lead the army; yet before victory was achieved, he was unfortunately detained. His ambition for merit and fame failed to fulfill the hero's wish, but a single loyal heart does not cease even in death.
Trustworthiness (Xin)
Fan and Zhang fulfilled their appointment made three years prior on schedule; crossing thousands of miles of clouds and mountains, they did not decline the journey. When the guest arrived, the host had already prepared chicken and millet; friendship reaches its peak when one truly understands the other.
Propriety (Li)
How should the rites and music established by the Duke of Zhou be applied? Governing the state and pacifying the people values the use of Harmony (He). From ancient times to the present, following the Way of the Sages ensures that fragrant footsteps will forever guard the rivers and mountains.
Righteousness (Yi)
In my life, I have always admired the virtue of Fan Gong (Fan Zhongyan); he established Righteous Fields (Yitian) for his clan members. The waves of grace covering a thousand qing are left to posterity; after a hundred years, who else will remain so steadfast?
Integrity (Lian)
Returning with the seal loosened, he lies by the north window, carefree as if reaching the era of Fuxi in broad daylight. Five willow trees hang at his gate, ending social interactions; the lofty demeanor of Jingjie (Tao Yuanming) has enduring charm.
Sense of Shame (Chi)
Refusing the grain of Zhou, he upheld loyalty and devotion; preferring poverty, he went to gather ferns at Mount Yang. This heart considers it shameful to be the same as the defiled; for millennia, the clear wind blows like the Han moon.
The Sages taught people to do good with thousands of words. I specifically composed a prescription of twenty-four flavors to advise the virtuous, highlighting eight major matters to inform readers. I hope you chew on the meaning of these songs; perhaps they are not without assistance in promoting goodness. How dare I say this is merely poetry?
Written casually by Yunshan Ren, Gong Tingxian