The previous sentence of "If you can't, then learn" is, "If you don't know, then ask."

Original text: The heart of serving the world, being high and honorable without being arrogant, being wise and wise without being poor, being able to get through quickly and not competing with others, being strong and brave without hurting others. If you don't know, ask, if you can't, learn. Although you can, you must give in, and then you will be virtuous. When meeting a king, cultivate the righteousness of a subordinate; when meeting a countryman, cultivate the righteousness of elders and young; when meeting an elder, cultivate the righteousness of a disciple; when meeting a friend, cultivate the righteousness of etiquette and courtesy; when meeting a lowly person, cultivate the righteousness of admonishment and tolerance. There is no one who does not love, no one who disrespects, and no one who competes with others. They are like the buds of heaven and earth. If so, the virtuous will value them, and the unworthy will love them.

Selected from: "Xunzi·Fei Twelve Sons".

Nature of the work: The title of "Xunzi", the content of which is about the representatives of various schools in the pre-Qin Dynasty: Taxiao, Wei Mou, Chen Zhong, Shi Yuqi, Mo Zhai, Song Lin, Shen Dao, Tian Pian and Hui Shi Twelve people including Deng Xi, Zisi, and Meng Ke made criticisms, and they concluded that they mainly praised the theories of Zhongni (Confucius) and Zigong (a student of Confucius, one said Zhonggong).

Introduction to Xunzi

Xunzi served as the sacrificial wine minister of Jixia Academy of Qi three times and the mausoleum of Chulan twice. In his later years, he lived in seclusion in Lanling County, wrote books, taught disciples, and stayed there until his death. He was called the Later Saint. Xunzi critically accepted and creatively developed the orthodox thoughts and theories of Confucianism, advocated the simultaneous application of etiquette and law, and put forward the idea that man can conquer nature by controlling the destiny of heaven.

It opposes superstition of ghosts and gods, puts forward the theory of evil nature, attaches great importance to the influence of customs and education on people, and emphasizes the application of knowledge. His thoughts are concentrated in Xunzi. Xunzi also compiled and passed down Confucian classics such as "The Book of Songs", "Shangshu", "Li", "Yue", "Yi", and "Spring and Autumn", making great contributions to the dissemination and preservation of Confucian thought and culture.

Reference for the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia - "Xunzi·Fei Twelve Sons"