[Famous Quotes from Pre-Qin Dynasty]

Those who love others will always be loved by others; those who respect others will always be respected by others. ——"Mencius·Li Lou Xia"

[Interpretation] People who love others will always love them, and respect others. Others will always respect them. How you treat others will often be treated in the same way. To be respected and loved, you must respect and love others. Heng: Often.

If you love your son, teach him righteousness and tolerate evil. ——"Zuo Zhuan·Yin Gong Three Years"

[Interpretation] If you like your children, you should teach them morally and not let them go down the wrong path. These were the words of Shi Que (què), an official of the Wei State during the Spring and Autumn Period, who advised Duke Zhuang of Wei. Duke Zhuang of Wei did not listen to the advice, and his favorite son Zhouxu was eventually killed. Doting will lead children to go astray. Fu, no. Na: enter, bring in.

Don’t nitpick but look for small flaws. ——"Han Feizi·General"

[Interpretation] Don't pick on other people's minor flaws. No gold is pure, and no one is perfect. Picking on other people's minor flaws is one's own biggest shortcoming. Seek: to find. Flaw: defect.

Do not vent your anger and do not make mistakes. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Yong Ye"

[Interpretation] Do not turn A's anger onto B, nor commit the same mistake again. Many people don't pay attention to their faults and even take them for granted. How great it would be if they could be like Yan Hui! To transfer anger: to divert anger. 2: Again, heavy.

If you don’t follow the rules, you can’t make a square or a circle. ——"Mencius Li Lou Shang"

[Interpretation] Without compasses and rulers, rectangles and circles cannot be drawn. We must abide by certain rules and regulations in our lives and in doing things. Otherwise, if everyone does their own thing, everything will be in chaos. Rules: Rules and moments, two tools for correcting circles and squares, are metaphors for standards and regulations.

A person who has enough food and clothing knows about honor and disgrace. ——"Guanzi·Herdsmen"

[Interpretation] Only when the granaries are abundant can the people understand the etiquette system; only when the food and clothing are abundant can the people know honor and shame. Material civilization is the basis of spiritual civilization. Those who govern a country must first consider the lives of the people. Lin (lǐn): granary. Real: substantial.

A difference of a hair is a thousand miles away. ——"Book of Rites·Jingjing"

[Interpretation] There are small mistakes at the beginning. If they are not corrected in time, they will eventually lead to big mistakes. Everything is difficult at the beginning, and you must be cautious at the beginning; you must strive for excellence and meticulousness in scientific research, otherwise heavy losses will be caused. Millimeter: A small unit of measurement, describing very few or extremely small. Miù: Error.

A ruler is short, an inch is long; things are deficient, wisdom is unclear. ——Warring States Period·Chu·Qu Yuan's "Buju"

[Interpretation] Although the ruler is longer than the inch, it appears shorter when compared with longer things. Although the inch is shorter than the ruler, it appears shorter than the shorter things. When things are compared, they appear long; things always have their shortcomings, and wise people always have their unwiseness. People or things have their own strengths and weaknesses. We should not blame them for perfection, but should use their strengths and avoid their weaknesses.

Do your duty without giving in to the teacher. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Wei Linggong"

[Interpretation] When faced with benevolence and righteousness, even the teacher does not have to be humble to him. This sentence is somewhat similar to the meaning of "I love my teacher, but I love truth even more" (Aristotle). What should be done, such as elucidating benevolence and righteousness, defending truth, and upholding justice, must be done actively and proactively, and must not be shied away from.

The right person will get a lot of help, but the wrong person will get little help. ——"Mencius·Gongsun Chou"

[Interpretation] With the truth, those who are in line with justice will get help from more people, while those who violate the truth and are unjust will rarely get help. It tells us that truth and justice are invincible.

To study alone without friends is to be lonely and ignorant. ——"Book of Rites·Xue Ji"

[Interpretation] If you just study alone without friends to discuss with you, you will be ignorant. Study partners have been proven to benefit learning progress.

Wealth cannot be lascivious, poverty cannot be moved, power cannot be subdued.

——"Mencius·Teng Wen Gong"

[Interpretation] Wealth and honor cannot make him confused, poverty and lowliness cannot make him change his moral integrity, and power cannot make his will surrender. Only by achieving these three points can one be called a man. Mencius's words have been passed down from generation to generation and have inspired countless Chinese people.

The high bank is the valley, and the deep valley is the mausoleum. ——"The Book of Songs·The Turn of October"

[Interpretation] The highlands turned into valleys, and the deep valleys turned into mountains. According to scientific speculation, the Himalayas were a vast ocean 70 million years ago, and the sea turned into mulberry fields, which is a metaphor for the ever-changing world. It also means that things always transform into their opposite under certain conditions.

If a worker wants to do his job well, he must first sharpen his tools. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Wei Linggong"

[Interpretation] If a craftsman wants to do his job well, he must sharpen his tools in advance. It can be seen from this that if a person wants to be competent at work, he must first learn the skills well. If you read good books today, you will be able to make great achievements tomorrow.

Be kind to yourself and blame others poorly. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Wei Linggong"

[Interpretation] Blame yourself more and blame others less. This sentence means to be strict with oneself and to be lenient with others. If you are strict with yourself, you will make rapid progress; if you are tolerant of others, you will stay away from resentment. Gongzi: oneself. The word "responsibility" is omitted after "thick". Responsibility: blame, demand.

Every day it is new, it is new every day, and it is new every day. ——"Book of Rites·University"

[Interpretation] If washing every day can make the face clean and fresh, then wash it every day to keep it clean and fresh, and keep it clean every day. This famous saying is the inscription carved on the plate by the founder of the Shang Dynasty Xianjun Tang, which is called "Soup Plate Inscription". Engraved on the washing dishes, it can be seen every day, serving as a warning, reminder, and encouragement. This refers to keeping one's moral cultivation and mental outlook fresh and clean. Daily renewal: This refers to being renewed morally every day.

Therefore, if wood is supported by a rope, it will be straight, and if metal is sharpened, it will be beneficial. ——"Xunzi Encouraging Learning"

[Interpretation] Wood becomes straight after being processed by straight lines drawn with carpentry ink lines (woodworking tools); metal objects can be sharpened after being sharpened on a whetstone. These two metaphors are used to illustrate that after people learn, temper and reflect on themselves, they will become smarter and wiser, stop making mistakes, and become stronger and stronger. Li (lì): whetstone.

If you are good, you will know its evil; if you are evil, you will know its beauty. ——"Book of Rites·University"

[Interpretation] For the person you like, you must know his shortcomings and do not show favoritism; for the person you dislike, you must know his advantages and do not obliterate them. When we evaluate a person, we must be objective and fair, not be emotional, and not be biased because of our own good or bad qualities.

Good (hào): like. Former "evil" (è): flaws and ugliness. Later "evil" (wù): hate, hate.

Misfortune lies on the back of blessing, and blessing lies on the back of misfortune. ——"Laozi"

[Interpretation] Disaster depends on happiness, and happiness lurks disaster. It tells us that misfortunes and blessings can transform into each other under certain conditions. We should be prepared for danger in times of peace and should not be discouraged if we are in adversity. Xi (xī): modal particle, equivalent to "ah".

Yi (yǐ): rely on. Fu: latent, hidden.

Don’t do to others what you don’t want others to do to you. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Yan Yuan"

[Interpretation] If you don't like it, don't impose it on others. Hunger and cold are something you don't like, so don't impose it on others; shame is something you don't like, so don't impose it on others. Compare yourself to others, think about your own benefits and harms to others, and think more about others. This is a principle that should be followed throughout your life. Desire: Want, hope. Don’t (wù): Don’t. Shi: add, give.

When you see a virtuous person, you think about them; when you see a virtuous person, you introspect yourself. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Li Ren"

[Interpretation] When you see a wise person, you should want to learn from him; when you see an unworthy person, you should reflect on yourself (do you have similar problems to him). You like to ridicule and look down upon people who are inferior to you, and therefore feel complacent; you like to belittle people who are better than you, and even feel jealous, shrink back, and fear to interact with them: these are all incorrect attitudes.

Siqi: I want to catch up and be on par. Introspection: Examine and examine oneself inwardly.

The beauty of a gentleman is not the evil of a man, but the villain is. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Yan Yuan"

[Interpretation] A gentleman fulfills the good deeds of others and does not contribute to the bad deeds of others. The villain is just the opposite. If an adult is beautiful and accumulates good deeds and becomes virtuous, he becomes a gentleman; if an adult is evil and accumulates resentments more and more, he becomes a villain. A gentleman is respected by others, while a villain is reviled. Gentleman: A person of noble character. Villain: refers to a person with a despicable personality. On the contrary: the opposite of this.

A gentleman is magnanimous, but a villain is always worried. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Shu Er"

[Interpretation] A gentleman's heart is flat and broad, but a villain is often cramped and worried. A gentleman is open-minded, content with poverty, be kind to others, and always content with his content, so he can be magnanimous. Villains have too many desires, worry about gains and losses, are worried, blame others, and feel uneasy, so they often feel sad. Magnanimous: open-minded and free-spirited. Qi Qi: Looks worried and uneasy.

A gentleman has three warnings: when he is young, his blood energy is not yet stable, and the warning lies in appearance; when he is strong, his blood energy is strong, and he should guard against fighting; when he is old, his blood energy has declined, and he should guard against it. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Ji Shi"

[Interpretation] There are three things in a gentleman's life that he should be vigilant about: when he is young, his muscles and bones are growing, and his qi and blood have not yet been finalized, so he must be vigilant about issues between men and women; when he reaches his prime, During this period, when one is physically strong and energetic, one must be wary of unprincipled disputes and fights; in old age, when physical strength and energy are weak, one must be wary of insatiable greed. For teenagers, this sentence raises the issue of early love affecting physical and mental health. From today's point of view, Confucius' saying of "prevent sex, quit fighting, and quit gaining" still has educational significance for us.

The connection between a gentleman is like water, and the connection between a villain is like wine. ——"Book of Rites·Biaoji"

[Interpretation] A gentleman's friendship is as plain as water, while a villain's friendship is like sweet wine (strong and sweet). The friendship between gentlemen does not seek fame and gain from each other or takes advantage of each other, so it appears plain and natural, so it can last for a long time; the friendship between villains has the intention of profiting and taking advantage of each other, so it is inevitable to be hypocritical, pretentious, and sweet talk. , so it is difficult to last. Contact: contact, communication. Li (lǐ): sweet wine.

Reciprocate courtesy. It is impolite to go but not come; it is impolite to come but not go. ——"Book of Rites·Qu Li Shang"

[Interpretation] Etiquette focuses on mutual interactions: if there is going but no coming, it is not in line with etiquette; if there is going but no going, it is not in line with etiquette. In interpersonal interactions, people should treat each other as equals and help each other. Shang: The important thing is.

Flowing water does not rot, and door hinges do not suffer from beetles. ——"Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals"

[Interpretation] Flowing water will not go rancid, and door shafts that often rotate will not be eaten by insects. It is a metaphor that things that move frequently are not easily corroded and can remain unchanged for a long time. This sentence vividly illustrates the great significance of "movement": life lies in movement, the brain lies in movement, and talents also need to flow. Everything in the universe is in motion. Without movement, there would be no world. Fu: rancid. Door hinge (shū): the hinge of the door. beetle (dù): moth erosion.

If you are full, you will suffer losses, but if you are modest, you will benefit. ——"Book of Dayu Mo"

[Interpretation] Pride and complacency will inevitably lead to losses, while modesty and caution will gain benefits. Many facts in history prove the truth of this famous saying. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was able to listen to the opinions of his ministers with an open mind, and the country was governed very well, and the peaceful and prosperous era of the "Reign of Zhenguan" appeared; but in his later years, he became arrogant and complacent, and failed miserably when he attacked Goryeo (North Korea). Tang Xuanzong was considered wise in the days when he first ascended the throne as emperor. After achieving political and economic achievements, he became arrogant, which led to the "Anshi Rebellion" and the decline of the Tang Dynasty.

Be sensitive to things but cautious in speaking. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Xue Er"

[Interpretation] Be diligent and agile in doing things and cautious in speaking. This sentence tells us that as a human being, we should do more practical things, talk less nonsense, and don't talk nonsense. Min: Diligent, fast. Shen: cautious, prudent.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. ——"Laozi·Chapter 64"

[Interpretation] A journey of thousands of miles begins with the first step.

It is a metaphor that success in anything starts from scratch and is gradually accumulated from small to large. Everything is difficult at the beginning. Without a beginning, there will be no results. Everything must start from small things bit by bit.

If you persevere and embrace it, the rotten wood will not be broken; if you persevere and persevere, gold and stone can be carved. ——"Xunzi Encouraging Learning"

[Interpretation] If you carve for a while and then give up, even rotten wood will keep carving; if you keep carving, even gold and stone can be successfully carved. This metaphor is intended to illustrate that in learning and doing things, only by perseverance can we achieve success; if we only try superficially, we will achieve nothing.锲(qiè), 镕(lòu): carving.

People who have no faith do not know what is possible. ——"The Analects·Wei Zheng"

[Interpretation] If a person is not trustworthy, I don't know what he should do. Confucius believed that if a person is not trustworthy, he will not be able to move forward. From today's perspective, the same is true for a company, a nation, and a country. As China joins the WTO, it must abide by the rules and be honest in order to develop in the face of competition.

Everyone can be like Yao and Shun. ——"Mencius Gaozi II"

[Interpretation] Everyone can become a saint like Yao and Shun. Mencius believed that if an ordinary person wanted to become Yao, Shun, a wise man, or a saint, the key was to "do." If he could act in accordance with the thoughts, words and deeds of Yao and Shun in everything, he would also become Yao and Shun. What? It can also be seen from here that the power of role models is infinite. If you can set a good example for yourself and follow the thoughts, words and deeds of the role model, you will be able to grow quickly. Yao and Shun: Tang Yao and Yu Shun were the kings of ancient times.

No one has any faults, but if he can correct his faults, there is no greater good. ——"Zuo Zhuan: The Second Year of Xuangong"

[Interpretation] Who has no mistakes? If you have mistakes, you can correct them. This is the greatest good thing! During the Spring and Autumn Period, Jin Linggong, the king of Jin, was a tyrant. Once, the chef's bear paws were not cooked enough, so he ordered the chef to be killed. Minister Shi Ji went to the palace to admonish him. Before he could say anything, Jin Linggong said: "I know I was wrong, and I will correct it in the future." In fact, his words focused on the previous sentence, just to block Shi Ji with this sentence. I don't really want to correct my mistakes. Shi Ji said: "~,~,~." Shi Ji's words focused on the word "change". If you know your mistakes, you must correct them, and bad things will become good things. Mo Dayan: There is nothing bigger than this.

If a person can do it once, he can do it a hundred times; if a person can do it ten times, he can do it a thousand times. ——"Book of Rites· Doctrine of the Mean"

[Interpretation] (If you are not as smart as others, then) others can learn it well with just one cent of effort, so you should spend 100% of your efforts to learn it well; others spend ten cents. If you can learn it well with your own strength, you should put in a thousand efforts to learn it well. This sentence shows that people should strengthen themselves and not be left behind. With the mentality of self-improvement, you will inevitably be diligent. "Diligence can make up for weakness", and people who were not smart enough will become smarter.

It is like discussing and discussing, and it is like polishing. ——"The Book of Songs·Weifeng·Qi'ao"

[Interpretation] Like cutting, like digging, like digging, like grinding. qiē cuō zhuó mó: originally refers to processing bones, ivory, jade, stone, etc. into utensils. Later it was extended to academic research and discussion. It means studying and studying together and learning from each other’s strengths.

When three of us travel together, we must be my teacher. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Shu Er"

[Interpretation] Three people are walking together, and among them there must be someone who can be my teacher. Everyone has corresponding skills and strengths, and there is something worth learning. As long as you learn from others with an open mind, you will definitely find a teacher who can teach you.

Think before you act. ——"The Analects·Gongye Chang"

[Interpretation] Take action after repeated consideration. This applies to those who act recklessly. Three: multiple times.

Born in sorrow and died in happiness. ——"Mencius Gaozi II"

[Interpretation] People can grow up by worrying about disasters, or they can perish in ease and enjoyment. A harsh environment can temper people and make them stronger to survive and develop; a happy life can easily corrode people, make them decadent and even perish.

Life is beneficial to people, death is not harmful to people.

——"Book of Rites·Tan ??Gong Shang"

[Interpretation] In life, one should be a person who is beneficial to the people, and should not be a "ghost" that harms others even after death.

Win without arrogance, lose without resentment. ——"The Book of Shang Jun: The Law of War"

[Interpretation] Don't be proud when you win a battle, don't complain when you lose a battle. When you win a battle, you are not proud because the victory comes from your tactical skills and are not worth being proud of. When you lose a battle, you are not proud because you know where you made your mistakes and you can no longer blame others or God. Not being arrogant or resentful is conducive to continuing the fight.

A sage will surely lose something if he worries a lot; a fool will gain something if he worries a lot. ——"Yanzi Chunqiu·Miscellaneous"

[Interpretation] When great people think about problems, they will inevitably make omissions; fools may also come up with some useful opinions after careful thinking. Chekhov said that when a big dog barks, a small dog will also bark. A small dog should not be afraid to bark because of the presence of a big dog. Fools should not give up their thinking because of the existence of saints.

It takes ten years to grow trees and a hundred years to cultivate people. ——"Guanzi·Xiu Quan"

[Interpretation] The original text is: "A one-year plan is better than planting a valley; a ten-year plan is better than trees; a lifelong plan is better than cultivating people." It means : When making a one-year plan, there is no more appropriate plan than planting grains; when making a ten-year plan, there is no more appropriate plan than cultivating fruit trees; when making a lifelong plan, there is no more appropriate plan than cultivating talents. Another way to put it is: Plant once and get one harvest, this is grain; cultivate once and get ten harvests, this is fruit tree; cultivate once and get one hundred harvests, this is talent. This sentence tells us: If we can cultivate talents carefully and use talents skillfully, we will be able to engage in great undertakings with ease. A century-old plan based on education. In the era of knowledge economy, the core of competition is the competition for talents. Cultivating talents is the only way for the Chinese nation to take off. Cultivating talents is a long-term solution, and cultivating talents is not easy. Tree: plant, cultivate. Wood: trees. People: talents.

No words when eating and no words when sleeping. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Xiang Party"

[Interpretation] Don't talk when eating, don't talk when sleeping. There are many words in "The Analects" that record Confucius' living habits and health regimen. This one is worth learning.

A scholar cannot be without great perseverance, and there is a long way to go. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Taibo"

[Interpretation] A scholar must have lofty ambitions and a strong will, because he has a great responsibility to society and has a long way to go. Hongyi: ambitious and strong-willed. For a person who wants to make a difference, lofty ambition and strong will are indispensable.

Although there are delicious dishes, if you don’t eat them, you don’t know their purpose; although there are great ways, if you don’t learn them, you don’t know their goodness. ——"Book of Rites·Xue Ji"

[Interpretation] Although there are exquisite foods, if you don't eat them, you won't know how delicious they are; even though there are good principles, if you don't learn them, you won't know how delicious they are. Don't know how sublime it is. This sentence emphasizes the emphasis on practice, participation, learning, and absorption. In today's information age, resources are very abundant, and you can't get them if you don't study. Purpose: Delicious.

When the year is cold, you will know that after the pines and cypresses, you will be able to see the carvings. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Zihan"

[Interpretation] When the weather is cold and the ground is freezing, I realize that the pines and cypresses are the last to lose their leaves. A person's integrity and character can only be seen in a difficult environment. It is in a difficult environment that a person can truly be tested. Diao: Same as "wither", wither, fall apart.

Stones from other mountains can attack jade. —— "The Book of Songs·Xiaoya·Crane"

[Interpretation] Stones on other mountains can be used to polish jade. It originally refers to the talents of one country, but can also be used by another country. Later, it is a metaphor for using other people's criticism to help correct one's own mistakes, or using other people's situations as a reference. In terms of reading and learning, those who study liberal arts should read some books on natural sciences; those who study natural sciences should also read some books on humanities. Other mountains: other mountains. Attack: pondering.

The weather is not as good as the right place, and the right place is not as good as the people. ——"Mencius Gongsun Chou"

[Interpretation] Getting the right time is not as good as getting the right place, and getting the right place is not as good as winning the hearts of the people. Those who win the hearts of the people win the world, and those who lose the hearts of the people lose the world. This is the fact.

Weather; changes in solar terms, climate, cloudiness, sunshine, cold and heat. geographical advantage; geographical advantage. Renhe: Unite and win people's hearts.

Heaven moves in good health, and a gentleman strives to constantly strive for self-improvement. ——"Yi Qian"

[Interpretation] The movement of celestial bodies is powerful and powerful. A gentleman should follow it as an example and consciously work hard and never stop. The ancients often had their own experiences when they observed the heaven and earth, mountains and rivers, vegetation, birds and beasts, insects and fish, which is worth learning from. OK: run, run. Jian: Strong and powerful.

Give me a peach and repay me with a plum. ——"The Book of Songs·Daya·Dang"

[Interpretation] Someone gives me a peach, and I give him a plum in return. No matter how much benefit the other party gives me, I should repay him with corresponding benefits. There should be courtesy between people. Throw: To throw, here it means to give something away. Bao: return, reward.

It’s never too late to mend the lost sheep. ——"Warring States Policy·Chu Strategy Four·Zhuang Xin Called King Xiang of Chu"

[Interpretation] It is not too late to repair the sheepfold after the sheep have run away. The original text is: "I heard a saying: 'It is not too late to look after the dog when you see the rabbit; it is not too late to mend the hole after the sheep has died." We know that after something fails, it is not too late to remedy it in time; Afraid of not learning lessons and not taking remedial measures. Death: Escape. Prison: livestock pen. Chen: Zhuang Xin’s self-proclaimed name in front of King Xiang of Chu. Slang: common saying. Gu: Look back, call back.

Wen, Liang, Gong, frugal and generous. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Xue Er"

[Interpretation] Gentle, kind, serious, frugal and humble. Every time Confucius visited a country, he was bound to hear about the political affairs of that country. He relied on the virtues and attitudes of "gentleness, kindness, respect, thrift, and concessions" to achieve this. This is also the character and attitude we should have in seeking knowledge and being a human being.

Those who do will always succeed, and those who do will always arrive. ——"Yanzi Chunqiu Internal Chapter·Miscellaneous Parts"

[Interpretation] Those who persist in doing things will always succeed, and those who keep moving forward will always reach their destination. Action, action, is actual action. With practical actions, no matter how difficult things are, we can do them; without practical actions, even easy things cannot be done.

I think about it all day long, but it is not as good as what I learned in a moment. ——"Xunzi Encouraging Learning"

[Interpretation] Instead of sitting there and meditating all day long, it is better to spend some time studying to gain benefits. Learning and thinking are complementary to each other. If you only focus on one aspect, it will be in vain. For a moment: for a while.

Rotten wood cannot be carved, and a wall of dung cannot be made flat. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Gongye Chang"

[Interpretation] Rotten wood cannot be carved, and walls made of dung cannot be painted. It is a metaphor that there is no need to cultivate a person who cannot be cultivated. There is not much difference in people's intellectual factors, but there is a big difference in people's emotional factors. Confucius had a student named Zaiyu who slept in broad daylight. Confucius said that there was nothing to blame for people like Zaiyu. Because his attitude towards learning was so poor that he was hopeless.嬬 (wū): Tools used for painting walls, here refers to painting and whitewashing.

Learn and then learn. ——"Book of Rites·Xue Ji"

[Interpretation] Keep learning so that you will know your own shortcomings in the future. Einstein once compared himself to a big circle and people with shallow knowledge to a small circle. The outside of the large circle is exposed to more blank space than the small circle. Therefore, people with more knowledge are more aware of their lack of knowledge. Know your own shortcomings, and the harder you study, the more knowledge you will have.

Learning without thinking is a waste, thinking without learning is peril. ——"The Analects of Confucius·For Politics"

[Interpretation] If you just read without using your brain to think, you will be at a loss; if you just daydream without reading, you will be tired and gain nothing. "Learning" and "thinking" are complementary to each other. If you only focus on one aspect and ignore the other, you will not achieve good results.甔 (wǎng): Confused and without gain. Nearly (dài): tired and without gain.

If you don’t learn from others, then you will get close to them. ——"Xunzi Encouraging Learning"

[Interpretation] In order to learn, there is nothing more convenient than being close to a good teacher. A good teacher is better than ten thousand books. Respecting teachers and studying under them is a shortcut to seeking knowledge.

Those who travel a hundred miles are half ninety. ——"Warring States Policy·Qin Policy Five"

[Interpretation] A journey of one hundred miles is only half completed after walking ninety miles. This sentence means that things become more difficult to complete as they reach the final stage. Therefore, no matter what you do, you must not relax until it is finally completed, otherwise you will fall short and all your previous efforts will be wasted.