Implication: Don't worry about official salary, but pursue personal moral and knowledge progress.
From: Zhang Heng in the Eastern Han Dynasty "Should Ask" "Don't suffer from disrespect, but suffer from disrespect; Don't be ashamed of disagreement with Lu, but be ashamed of wisdom. "
Interpretation of vernacular Chinese: a gentleman should not worry about his position, but should think about whether his morality is perfect; Don't be ashamed that your income is not high enough, but think about whether your knowledge is profound enough.
Zhang Heng, a versatile man, has made outstanding contributions in astronomy, earthquake, literature, machinery manufacturing, calendar, painting, map drawing, mathematics and other fields, and is known as a "all-round development figure". He used to be an ambassador and minister of history.
Zhang Heng invented the seismograph, the armillary sphere, the drum car in the rice, the compass and so on. He has made great achievements. He should be full of ambition and respected. On the contrary, he devoted his life to science and did not pursue fame and fortune. Some people laugh at him. He can make the wheels turn and the wooden birds fly, but he can't make himself a big official. Zhang Heng responded with this sentence, and those who laughed at him felt ashamed and angry.
Extended data:
Zhang Heng was good at writing articles when he was young. I visited the "three auxiliary" areas and took the opportunity to study in Luoyang and imperial academy. So he became familiar with the Five Classics and mastered the Six Arts. Although his talent is higher than ordinary people, he is not arrogant.
Zhang Heng is good at ingenious thinking in instrument manufacturing, especially in astronomy, meteorology and calendar calculation. Han Andi often heard that he was good at mathematics, so he ordered the bus to recruit him and appointed him as a doctor. Moved to Taishiling twice.
Therefore, Zhang Heng carefully studied and examined the knowledge of Yin and Yang (including astronomy, meteorology and calendar), brilliantly studied the correct principle of astronomical instruments, made an armillary sphere, and wrote books such as Lingxian and Suanjing, which were extremely detailed.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Don't disrespect your position, but don't admire your virtue.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Zhang Heng