Wang Yangming’s four sentences on studying things to achieve knowledge are as follows:

"Gewu": refers to understanding the essence of things through practice and observation, not just relying on knowledge in books. It means to understand and know things through personal experience and practice.

"Zhizhi": Through practice and thinking, you gradually gain true knowledge. Only through action and practice can we truly master knowledge.

"Sincerity": Maintain a sincere attitude in learning and practice, and actively seek the truth. You should face the things you encounter with a sincere attitude and strive to understand and explore.

"Mingxin": Through continuous practice and cultivation, the heart becomes bright and pure. We must have clear thinking and correct moral concepts in order to achieve the sublimation of the soul and the improvement of the realm.

These four sentences summarize the core essence of the idea of ??"studying things to gain knowledge" advocated by Wang Yangming, emphasizing the importance of practice, thinking, sincerity and character, aiming to guide people to cultivate knowledge through active thinking and practice. Good moral character and cognitive ability to achieve personal progress and social harmony.

Wang Yangming (October 31, 1472 - January 9, 1529), whose real name was Wang Yun, also known as Wang Shouren, was born in Yuyao, Zhejiang, and was of Han nationality. An outstanding thinker, writer, military strategist, and educator in the Ming Dynasty, he was the son of Wang Hua, the Minister of Civil Affairs in Nanjing. The master of mind science in the Ming Dynasty. Wang Shouren's Yangming Mind Theory was later introduced to Japan, North Korea and other countries, with many disciples, and was known as the "Yaojiang School" in the world. The article is broad and profound, and there is a refreshing air in the lines of ink.

He is the author of "The Complete Works of Wang Yangming", "The Complete Works of Wang Yangming", "The Complete Works of Wang Wencheng", etc. At the age of twelve, Wang Shouren officially enrolled in a private school. At the age of thirteen, his mother Zheng passed away and he lost his mother at a young age. This was a great setback for him. But he has high aspirations and different thoughts from ordinary people. Once I was discussing with Mr. Shu Shu about what was the most important thing in the world. He was different from the ordinary people and believed that "the imperial examination is not the first priority." The most important thing in the world is to study and become a sage.

At that time, the country's government was corrupt and rebels were everywhere. During the Zhengtong period of Yingzong, Yingzong was captured by the Oara tribe of Mongolia. This incident cast a huge shadow on Wang Shouren's young heart. He vowed to learn the art of war well and serve his country. When he was fifteen years old, he wrote to the emperor many times to offer suggestions to quell the peasant uprising, but to no avail. In the same year, he traveled to Juyongguan and Shanhaiguan for a month. Looking around the outside of the Great Wall, he already had the ambition to explore all directions.