蒙學漢文初階 第一百二十九課 Beginning Chinese - Entry Level Lesson #129
某兒夜讀書 one child night read book
倦甚 tired very
燒廢紙以照 burn useless paper to shine
物遺火於帳 thing remains fire to curtain
幾被焚 some [passive particle] burn
母曰 mother say
事無鉅細 things no hook small
皆當謹慎 all ought cautious/care cautious care
小不慎 small not caution
即有禍害矣. then have catastrophe harm [past particle]
One child was studying at night and was very tired. He burnt the wastepaper as light. However, the curtains caught the fire from the remnants/ashes and almost caught fire. The mother said,
"There are no things that are large or small. One has to be careful and cautious. If caution is cast to the winds, then harm and catastrophe would result."
Notes:
1. 鉅 here is a variant form of 巨, huge, large, etc. Six other meanings are
a. hard iron
b. hook
c. variant of 距
d. variant of 詎
e. last name
f. hanging bells or the structure to hold the 馨, Chinese chimes used for court music.