Encouraging Learning
Excerpts from Encouraging Learning by Xunzi.
Translated from Chinese by George Rao
Translated from Chinese by George Rao
The Virtuous Gentlemen say: "Learning cannot stop."
Deep blue is taken from blue, yet it is bluer than blue.
Ice is made up of water, yet it is colder than water.
Wood is straight; it fits the rope.
Bend it to form a wheel; its curve fits the compass.
Although it dries, it doesn't re-straighten.
The bending made it natural.
Wood is measured with a rope, then it is straight.
Metal is sharpened, then it is sharp.
The Virtuous Gentleman is richly educated,
and three times a day he examines himself.
Then he knows the clarity and has no mistakes in his actions.
I often think deeply the entire day,
but this is not as good as the learning of a moment.
I often stand on my toes and gaze,
but this is not as good as the vast view of climbing high.
When climbing high and waving, one's arm is not increased in length,
but the viewers are farther away.
When calling along the wind, one's sound is not increased in speed,
but the audience is more wide.
Those who employ horses in carriages have no advantage in foot,
yet they can go one thousand miles.
Those who employ oars in boats may not be able to swim,
yet they can travel the rivers.
The Virtuous Gentlemen are not born different.
It is their ability to employ things.
Accumulate dirt to form a mountain; the wind and rain flourish.
Accumulate water to form a lake; the dragon is born.
Accumulate kindness to form virtue, and the divine clarity comes naturally.
The sacred state of mind is equipped.
If one does not accumulate half-steps, he cannot go one thousand miles.
If small streams are not accumulated, they have no way to become an ocean.
When an excellent horse leaps, it cannot go the distance of ten steps.
Harness ten inferior horses. The power is in not giving up.
Carve and give up; you cannot harm rotten wood.
Carve and not give up; you can engrave metal and rock.
Worms have not the sharpness of claws and teeth,
nor the strength of muscle and bone.
Above, they eat dirt. Below, they drink groundwater.
They are focused.
Crabs have six legs and two pincers.
But without the holes dug by snakes, they are homeless.
They are aimless.
Deep blue is taken from blue, yet it is bluer than blue.
Ice is made up of water, yet it is colder than water.
Wood is straight; it fits the rope.
Bend it to form a wheel; its curve fits the compass.
Although it dries, it doesn't re-straighten.
The bending made it natural.
Wood is measured with a rope, then it is straight.
Metal is sharpened, then it is sharp.
The Virtuous Gentleman is richly educated,
and three times a day he examines himself.
Then he knows the clarity and has no mistakes in his actions.
I often think deeply the entire day,
but this is not as good as the learning of a moment.
I often stand on my toes and gaze,
but this is not as good as the vast view of climbing high.
When climbing high and waving, one's arm is not increased in length,
but the viewers are farther away.
When calling along the wind, one's sound is not increased in speed,
but the audience is more wide.
Those who employ horses in carriages have no advantage in foot,
yet they can go one thousand miles.
Those who employ oars in boats may not be able to swim,
yet they can travel the rivers.
The Virtuous Gentlemen are not born different.
It is their ability to employ things.
Accumulate dirt to form a mountain; the wind and rain flourish.
Accumulate water to form a lake; the dragon is born.
Accumulate kindness to form virtue, and the divine clarity comes naturally.
The sacred state of mind is equipped.
If one does not accumulate half-steps, he cannot go one thousand miles.
If small streams are not accumulated, they have no way to become an ocean.
When an excellent horse leaps, it cannot go the distance of ten steps.
Harness ten inferior horses. The power is in not giving up.
Carve and give up; you cannot harm rotten wood.
Carve and not give up; you can engrave metal and rock.
Worms have not the sharpness of claws and teeth,
nor the strength of muscle and bone.
Above, they eat dirt. Below, they drink groundwater.
They are focused.
Crabs have six legs and two pincers.
But without the holes dug by snakes, they are homeless.
They are aimless.
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