Interpretation Isn’t it nice to have like-minded friends coming from afar?
Usage This sentence is often used to welcome friends from afar.
自: Cong, here refers to coming from afar
Peng: Fellow disciple; learn together; disciple; like-minded person
Happiness: happiness.
Hu: A modal particle used as a question or rhetorical question in classical Chinese. It is equivalent to "?" here. Used to express extremely, extremely, and vividly.
Distant: refers to the distant future
Source: "The Analects of Confucius·Xueer": "The Master said: "Study and practice it from time to time, isn't it true? A friend comes from afar, and it is not Isn't it a pleasure to be ignorant? Isn't it a gentleman to be ignorant? Isn’t it a joyful thing to have students come from far away (to ask for advice)? Isn't it also a sign of a gentleman to not be angry with someone who doesn't understand you? Extended information
These three sentences in this chapter are very familiar to people. The explanation has always been: after learning, you often review and practice, wouldn't you be happy, etc. Three sentences, each with the same meaning, and there is no coherence between the preceding and following sentences. However, some people think that this explanation is not in line with the original meaning, pointing out that "learning" here does not refer to learning, but to doctrines or opinions; "Shi" cannot be interpreted as constant, but means the times or society; "Xi" does not mean review. But use, by extension, adoption.
Moreover, these three sentences are not isolated, but are coherent with each other. The meaning of these three sentences is: If my theory is adopted by society, I will be very happy; to say the least, if it is not adopted by society, many friends agree with my theory and come to me to discuss issues. I also feel happy; to take a step back, even if society doesn't accept me and people don't understand me, I won't resent it. If I do this, isn't it a gentleman?
Reference material Baidu Encyclopedia - It’s a joy to have friends from far away