译文及注释

译文：
人出生之初，禀性本身都是善良的。
At the beginning of birth the inherent nature of people is inherently good.

天性也都相差不多，只是后天所处的环境不同和所受教育不同，彼此的习性才形成了巨大的差别。
The inherent nature is also similar but the differences in environment and education lead to the formation of significant differences in habits.

如果从小不好好教育，善良的本性就会发生改变。
If not properly educated from a young age the good nature will change.

为了使人不变坏，最重要的方法就是要专心一致地去教育孩子。
In order to prevent people from becoming bad the most important method is to educate children with concentration and consistency.

小孩子不肯好好学习，是很不应该的。
It is not appropriate for children to refuse to study properly.

人小的时候不好好学习，到老的时候既不懂做人的道理，又无知识，那么到老的时候都很难有所作为的。
If one does not study well when young they will not understand the principles of being a good person and lack knowledge. Therefore it will be difficult for them to achieve anything when they grow old.

玉不打磨雕刻，不会成为精美的器物。
Without polishing and carving jade cannot become a exquisite object.

人若是不学习，就不懂得礼仪，不能成才。
If a person does not study they will not understand etiquette and cannot achieve success.

注释：
初：开始，开头。
At the beginning start.

性：性格，本性。
Nature: character inherent nature.

习：习惯，习性。
Habit: habit habit.

苟：如果；假使。
If; suppose.

教：教育，指导。
Teach: education guidance.

迁：改变。
Change.

专：专心致志。
Concentrate.

宜：合适，应该。
Appropriate should.

幼：年幼，小时候。
Young: young childhood.

琢：雕琢。
Polishing and carving.

器：器物，这里指成才。
Object: object here referring to achieving success.

义：古同“仪”。公正合宜的道理或举动。
Yi: ancient same as yi. Just and appropriate principles or actions. 《人之初》译文及注释详情»