The Book of Rites and the Book of Learning in the Warring States Period.

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Jade can't be used as a vessel unless it is polished. Metaphor is that people who are ignorant don't understand reason. Therefore, the ancient kings regarded education as the first priority of building and governing the country. Life says, "I've always wanted to learn." That's probably what it means.

Even if meat tastes delicious, you won't know its sweetness unless you eat it; Even if there is the best truth, you won't understand its benefits without studying it. Therefore, only by studying can we know our own shortcomings, and only by teaching others can we know what we cannot understand. Know your academic shortcomings so that you can reflect on yourself later; I feel very confused so as to encourage myself in the future.

Therefore, teaching and learning complement each other. Life says, "Teaching is half learning." This is probably the truth.

original text

If a gentleman wants to turn people into customs, he must take the law. The best diamonds must be cut. Unless you learn, you will become an animal. It is the king of the past, the foundation of the country, and the people put teaching first. "Saving Life" said: "Reading begins with learning." That's what it means!

Although there are good dishes, I don't know its purpose; Although there is supreme Tao, learning, I don't know its goodness. It is to learn and then know the deficiency, and to teach and then know the difficulty. You can introspect if you don't know enough, and you can be self-reliant if you are sleepy. So teaching and learning are also beneficial. "Duiming" said: "Learning half" is what it means!

Extended data:

Creation background

The Book of Learning is one of the Book of Rites, which was written from the 4th century BC to the 3rd century BC. According to Guo Moruo's textual research, its author may be Ke, a student of Mencius.

Gu Shusen supported Guo Moruo's view that Xue Ji was written by Le Zhengzi, a Confucian scholar, at the end of the Warring States Period, and borrowed ideas from the school, probably by Ke, a disciple of Mencius.

Gao Shiliang also agrees with this view, thinking that Xueji is a work of the Warring States period, and the specific time is in the late Warring States period. Its author should be Ke, because Ke is Mencius' favorite pupil and deeply influenced by Mencius' thought. Secondly, Le Zhengzi also studied under Zeng Shen, "Le Zhengzi said that I had heard of Ceng Zi". Third, Le Zhengben is a scholar.

Appreciation of original text

Xue Ji inherited the consistent thought of pre-Qin Confucianism and regarded education as the most effective means to implement political and social management. Therefore, at the beginning of Xue Ji, the purpose and function of education are discussed in the beautiful language of epigrams.

At the beginning of Xue Ji, it is pointed out that since ancient times, it is impossible for any capable ruler to govern his country by issuing decrees and seeking talents. The rulers want the people to abide by social order and form good customs, so as to achieve the purpose of governing the world.