Judging from the Complete Works of Zeng, the following principles are followed in reading: one is to aim high, the other is to be knowledgeable, and the third is to persevere. If you are ambitious, you will never be willing to be dirty; If you have knowledge, you know that knowledge is infinite, and you dare not sell yourself short. Such as Hebo watching the sea, such as a well frog peeping into the sky, no one knows; Nothing is impossible with perseverance. These three are indispensable.

When reading, a scholar should have ambition, knowledge and perseverance. If you have ambition, you will never be willing to be inferior; If you are knowledgeable, you will know that there is no end to learning. If you have no experience, you will not be satisfied with yourself. For example, Hebo looks at the sea and the frog at the bottom of the well looks at the sky, all of which are ignorant; With perseverance, nothing is impossible. Aspiring, erudite and persistent are indispensable.

Introduction of works

The Complete Works of Zeng Gong is an anthology of Zeng Guofan, a famous minister in the late Qing Dynasty. It adopts the earliest version which is considered to be the most classic at present, that is, the engraving of Nakagawa Bookstore. The book contains the main learning essence of Zeng Guofan's life, which reflects the wisdom of this "the first perfect man in the ages" in self-cultivation, keeping the family in order, governing the country and leveling the world from different aspects. The language is plain and easy to understand, and it also contains rich knowledge and life experience.