The Art of Learning
164. Nowadays people merely think of sharpening their swords instead of spiritual advancement. Spiritual cultivation is actually sharpening one’s body and mind.
Scroll 36: Shi Zi
165. A man of noble character (Junzi) should learn from the saints and sages, self-reflecting several times a day to check on his faults. If he can persist in this practice, he will become a wise man who seldom makes mistakes. Thus, one will never know how high the sky is if he has never climbed up a mountain; without looking down onto a deep valley, one will never know how deep the earth goes. Without learning the wisdom from the ancient sage-rulers, one will never know how profound and great their teachings could be.
Scroll 38: Sun Qing Zi
166. The ancient scholars toiled in the farms while cultivating their intellect and character. In the span of three years they had familiarized themselves with one classic, grasping its essence through repeated study of the same text. Hence, they spent little time in this aspect while accumulating virtues. By the time they reached the age of thirty, these scholars would become proficient in the Five Classics.
Scroll 14: Han Shu, Vol. 2
167. A man of noble character (Junzi) is overcome by the fear of not acquiring profound knowledge after learning from the sages. Having acquired profound knowledge, he is yet overcome by the fear of being unable to allot time for revision. Having revised the lessons over and over again, he is yet overcome by the fear of being unable to fully understand the lessons. After understanding the lessons, he is yet overcome by the fear of being unable to practice what he was taught. After practicing what he was taught, he is yet overcome by the fear of being unable to conduct himself humbly. If a Junzi can put these five requirements into practice, that would suffice.
Scroll 35: Zeng Zi