能好自为之
“behave yourselves in the future.”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
本官为徽州知府一任 希望你们田家以后
“As the Prefect of Huizhou, I hope your Tian family will”
能 好自为之
“behave yourselves in the future.”
一定
“Definitely.”
“Behave yourselves and stay out of trouble, because you won't get another warning.”
Imperial Chinese officials held broad moral and judicial authority over local clans, frequently using stern, concise idioms to exert administrative deterrence.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
conduct oneself properly; mind one's own p's and q's
A stern idioms often used by superiors or in parting to warn someone that future consequences will be entirely their own fault.