"Quiet and far-reaching" means that one must be lonely and quiet to reach a profound state.

It comes from the "Book of Commandments" written by Zhuge Liang to his 8-year-old son Zhuge Zhan when he was 54 years old. The original sentence is "Without indifference, there is no way to make one's ambition clear, and without tranquility, there is no way to reach far."

The journey of a husband and a gentleman is to cultivate one’s character through tranquility and cultivate one’s virtue through frugality. Without indifference, there is no clear ambition; without tranquility, there is no far-reaching goal. Learning requires tranquility, and talent requires learning. Without learning, there is no way to expand talents, and without ambition, there is no way to achieve learning. If you are coy and slow, you will not be able to inspire your energy; if you are impetuous, you will not be able to cultivate your nature. The years go by with the times, the thoughts go with the sun, and they become withered and withered. Many people do not take on the world, and they stay in the poor house with sadness. How will they be able to get back to you!

The translation is as follows:

The conduct of a gentleman (should be) tranquility in order to improve oneself, and frugality in order to cultivate one's character. If you don't look down on worldly fame and wealth, you can't clarify your ambitions, and if you don't have peace of mind, you can't be far-sighted.

Studying requires meditation, and knowledge requires learning. Without learning, there is no way to expand knowledge, and without determination, you cannot learn successfully. If you are obsessed with sluggishness, you will not be able to strive for progress; if you are intolerant and impatient, you will not be able to refine your character. Years pass by, and the will is passing away day by day, so they gradually wither and wither. Most of them are unable to make money in the world, and sadly guard their poor homes. How can they regret it at that time?

Extended information:

"Without indifference, there is no way to clarify one's ambitions, and without tranquility, there is no way to reach far." Here Zhuge Liang uses a "double negation" sentence pattern, with a strong and euphemistic The tone expresses his teachings and unlimited expectations for his son.

This is a philosophical statement. This is the same as "if you want to get it, you must first give it to it" and "if you want to achieve your goal, you must first take detours". "Indifferent" and "tranquility" are not about seeking purity and not wanting to achieve anything, but about learning " "Clear ambition", establish lofty ambitions, and when the time is right, you can "reach far" and do something vigorously.

"Tranquility" is an ancient Taoist thought. Laozi once said, "Tranquility is the best, winning but not beautiful." Later generations have continued to appreciate this artistic conception of "peace of mind and soul". For example, in Bai Juyi's poem "Asking about the Autumn Lights", "the body and mind become peaceful, and the smoke and scenery are indifferent". He reflects the author's long-term and broad realm of having no distracting thoughts, being focused and at ease, and not limited to immediate gains and losses.

Baidu Encyclopedia - Without indifference, there is no clear ambition; without tranquility, there is no far-reaching goal