Ancient Chinese famous sayings

[Pre-Qin famous sayings]

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 and 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 express 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, everyone will do their own thing and 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 when conducting scientific research, otherwise it will cause heavy losses. Millimeter: A small unit of measurement, describing very few or extremely small. Miù: Error.

The ruler is short and the inch is long; things are deficient and wisdom is unclear. ——Warring States Period·Chu·Qu Yuan's "Bu Ju"

[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 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 more help from 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 and honor cannot be promiscuous, poverty and lowliness cannot be moved, and power cannot be subdued. ——"Mencius, Duke Teng Wen"

[Interpretation] Wealth and honor cannot make him confused, poverty and lowliness cannot make him change his moral integrity, and power cannot make him surrender his will. 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 turn into valleys, and the deep valleys turn into mountains. According to scientific speculation, the Himalayas were a vast ocean 70 million years ago. 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 in order for a person 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 "thickness". 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". It is engraved on the washing plate and can be seen every day, serving as a warning, reminder and encouragement. This refers to keeping your moral cultivation and mental outlook fresh and clean. Daily renewal: This refers to being renewed morally day by 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 with a straight line drawn with a carpenter's ink line (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 wiser, stop making mistakes, and become 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 of 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 an adult, 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·Shuer"

[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 makes friends as plain as water, while a villain makes friends as 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 avoid hypocrisy, pretentiousness, 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 pivot (shū): the hinge of the door. beetle (dù): moth erosion.

If you are full, you will suffer losses, but if you are humble, you will benefit. ——"Book·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 "Zhenguan Rule" appeared. However, in his later years, he became proud and complacent, and suffered a tragic failure 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 proud, 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·Xueer"

[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 continue to carve; if you continue to carve, 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. Since China has joined 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·Gao Zixia"

[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. ——"The Book of Rites·The 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 exchanging, like plowing, 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·Shuer"

[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 humbly, you will definitely find a teacher who can teach you.

Think before you act. ——"The Analects of Confucius·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 Xia"

[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, but 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 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 consideration. 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·Xiuquan"

[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 planting 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·Xiangdang"

[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 importance of 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] The 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 was used as a metaphor to correct one's own mistakes with the help of criticism from others, or to use 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 Chouxia"

[Interpretation] The right time is not as good as the right place, and 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: unity, winning 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 strong 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 dissatisfied saying: 'It is not too late to look after the dog when you see the rabbit; it is not too late to repair the dead sheep." 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"

[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 is 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. Knowing your own shortcomings, the harder you can study, the harder you study, the richer your knowledge will be.

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

[Interpretation] If you just read without thinking, 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. ——"The Five Policies of Qin in the Warring States Period"

[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.

Be true to your word and bear fruit in your deeds. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Zilu"

[Interpretation] What you say must count, and what you do must be resolute. If you make a promise, you will be respected by others; if you go back on your word, if you are indecisive, you will be despised by others. Result: determined.

Look up and be worthy of heaven, bow and be worthy of others. ——"Mencius·Devotion to the Heart"

[Interpretation] When you look up, you feel that you are worthy of God; when you lower your head, you feel that you are worthy of others. You must be upright and have a clear conscience. A gentleman is magnanimous. Yang: Raise your head. 怍(zuò): Ashamed.

The best way to nourish your heart is to have few desires. ——"Meng Yu. Do your best"

[Interpretation] Being full of food makes you sad, and having too much desire makes you sad. The best way to cultivate your mind and cultivate noble sentiments is to reduce your selfish desires. Desire: lust, greed

If it is violent in one day and cold in ten days, no one will be able to survive. ——"Mencius Gaozi 1"

[Interpretation] The idiom "One storm and ten cold" comes from this sentence. The original text is: "Although there are things that are easy to grow in the world, ~, ~, ~. "It means: Even if there is a plant that is the easiest to grow in the world, if it is exposed to the sun for one day and cooled for ten days, none of it will be able to grow. It is a metaphor for working hard for one day and slacking off for ten days. Without perseverance, you will not succeed. Although: even. Bao (Pù): means "exposure", sun exposure. Cold: freezing.

Jade is in the mountains and the grass and trees are moist, and pearls are born in the abyss but they never dry up. ——"Xunzi Encouraging Learning"

[Interpretation] If the jade is hidden in the mountains, even the vegetation on the mountains will appear moist; if the pearls are produced in the abyss, even the shore will not appear dry. If you have knowledge and knowledge hidden in your chest, you will naturally behave well and have extraordinary courage and style. Without inner talent, even if you have a beautiful appearance, you are just an ordinary person.

Haste makes waste.

——"The Analects of Confucius·Zilu"

[Interpretation] If you want to be fast, you will not achieve your goal. Some of Confucius's disciples were officials. Confucius taught them not to rush for success when achieving political achievements. The development of things has its own laws, and learning must be gradual. If you don't lay a good foundation, you won't be able to conquer cutting-edge science and produce results quickly.

If you hear the Tao in the morning, you will die in the evening. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Li Ren"

[Interpretation] Knowing the truth in the morning is worth it even if you die at night. This quote illustrates the desire for truth. "Life is precious, love is even more valuable. If it is for the sake of freedom, both can be thrown away." This poem by the Hungarian poet Petofi expresses this idea. The persistent pursuit of freedom and truth can Make people give up their lives.

He who knows himself and his enemy will never be in danger in a hundred battles. ——"Sun Tzu: Planning for Attack"

[Interpretation] A person who understands his own situation and the enemy's situation will not be in danger if he fights a hundred battles. This is a famous saying by Sun Wu, the military strategist of Wu State in the late Spring and Autumn Period. Its scope of application is not limited to the military. As long as it is related to others, whether it is competition or cooperation, there is a problem of knowing yourself and the enemy. Nearly (dài): dangerous.

Knowing is knowing, not knowing is not knowing, this is knowing. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Wei Zheng"

[Interpretation] If you know, admit that you already know. If you don't know, you don't know. This is wisdom. Smart people always regard ignorance as known. The last "zhi" (zhì): smart.

No one knows his son better than his father. ——"Guanzi Dakuang"

[Interpretation] No one knows his son better than his father. Zhi: Familiar. Mo: No. If: like.

A man with lofty ideals and benevolence will not harm his benevolence by seeking life, but will kill himself to achieve benevolence. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Wei Linggong"

[Interpretation] People with lofty ideals and benevolence are not willing to covet life and fear death at the expense of benevolence and righteousness. They are always willing to sacrifice their lives to fulfill righteousness. Since ancient times, loyal ministers and righteous men have valued benevolence and righteousness more important than life. Wen Tianxiang is such a man of lofty ideals and benevolence. The two lines of the poem "No one has ever died in life since ancient times, leaving a loyal heart to illuminate history" show that he regards death as home and sacrifices his life to be benevolent.

Confucius said: "When I was fifteen, I was determined to learn; when I was thirty, I was established; when I was forty, I was not confused; when I was fifty, I understood the destiny of heaven; when I was sixty, my ears were obedient; when I was seventy, I followed my heart's desires without exceeding the rules." ——"The Analects of Confucius·Wei Zheng"

[Interpretation] When I was fifteen years old, I aspired to learning; when I was thirty years old, (understanding etiquette,) I was sure of what I said and did; when I was forty years old, (I had mastered various things) knowledge,) will not lead to confusion; at fifty, one will understand the destiny; at sixty, one can distinguish between true and false, and distinguish right from wrong, as soon as one listens to other people's words; at seventy, one can follow one's will, and no thought will go beyond the rules. This is a general summary of Confucius's lifelong learning and cultivation in his later years. It shows that he never stopped learning and cultivation throughout his life, and made great progress every once in a while until he reached the highest level in his later years. For thousands of years, countless people have used this passage as a motto to encourage themselves. Among them, "erli", "not confused", "zhiming" and "earshun" have become synonymous with thirty, forty, fifty and sixty years old respectively and are widely circulated.

[Famous quotes from the Han, Wei, Southern and Northern Dynasties]

When hundreds of rivers reach the sea in the east, when will they return to the west? If a young man does not work hard, the old man will be miserable. ——"Han Yuefu·Long Song Xing"

[Interpretation] Time is like a river flowing eastward into the sea, never to return; if a person does not study hard when he is young, he will achieve nothing when he is older, so he has to Leave no time for sadness and regret. Life accumulates into days, days into months, and months into years, which seems to last forever. When I was young, I looked forward to growing up. I often felt that life passed slowly and the days ahead were long. In fact, time flies like an arrow, and the sun and the moon fly by. If you let it go by, you will give up day after day, year after year, and it will be too late to regret it.

Seeing is better than hearing a hundred times. ——Han Ban Gu's "Han Shu·Zhao Chongguo Biography"

[Interpretation] No matter how much you hear, it is better to see it with your own eyes. It means that what you see is more reliable than what you hear.

They are born from the same roots, so there is no need to rush into conflict. ——Liu Yiqing, Southern Dynasties and Song Dynasty, "Shishuoxinyu·Literature" (Cao Zhi's "Seven-step Poetry")

[Interpretation] (Douqi and beans) are originally born from bean roots, (Douqi) Burning) Boil the beans, why is it so urgent? It is a metaphor for brothers who press too hard and harm each other, which violates the laws of nature and is intolerable to common sense. Warn people not to do things that hurt relatives and make enemies happy.

According to "Shishuoxinyu·Literature", after Cao Pi became emperor, he always resented his talented brother Cao Zhi. Once, he ordered Cao Zhi to compose a poem in seven steps. If he didn't do it, he would be punished. will be put to death. Before Cao Zhi finished the seven steps, he composed a poem, which later generations called the "Seven Steps Poetry". The four widely circulated sentences are: "Boiled beans turn into bean sprouts, and the beans weep in the cauldron. ~, ~." Beans (qí): refers to the beanstalk.

Disease enters through the mouth and disaster comes out of the mouth. ——Fu Xuan of Jin Dynasty, "Fu Zi·Kou Ming"

[Interpretation] Diseases are eaten from the mouth, and disasters are spoken from the mouth. This sentence warns people to be cautious when speaking, as careless speech will lead to disaster. Be careful not to talk too much in life. Talking too much will lead to mistakes. Fu Xuan: (217-278) Western Jin Dynasty philosopher and writer. He is the author of "Fu Zi" and "Collection of Fu Xuan". During the Ming Dynasty, someone collected his works into the "Collection of Fu Quai Gu". Motto: A motto about the mouth.

If you don’t enter the tiger’s den, you won’t get its cubs. ——Fan Ye of the Southern Dynasties and Song Dynasty, "Book of the Later Han·Ban Chao Biography"

[Interpretation] If you don't enter the tiger cave, you won't be able to catch the little tiger. It is a metaphor that you cannot achieve great success without personally entering dangerous situations. It also means that it is difficult to obtain true knowledge without practice. No: also called "Yan".