Meaning: Even if the bald writing pen is piled up like a mountain, it is not worth cherishing. Only by reading thousands of books can one achieve the creative realm of spiritual enlightenment.

Original text:

Liu's two nephews asked for handwriting

Author: Su Shi

Withdrawal of pens is like a mountain, but not enough treasure, only after reading thousands of volumes. Theosophy.

The Jun family has its own strength and feet, so don’t be afraid of the chickens and ask others.

Translation:

No matter how many bald writing pens are piled up, they are not worth cherishing. Only by reading thousands of books can one achieve the creative realm of spiritual enlightenment.

There is a calligrapher Liu Zongyuan in your Liu family. That is your Liu family’s own treasure (chicken). You should not dislike this treasure. You should first learn "Yuanheji" well, and then learn from other calligraphers. Ask for advice.

Extended information:

In the first two sentences, Su Shi believed that the art of calligraphy cannot be achieved only by practicing hard with piles of bare pens. High-grade calligraphy requires a high degree of cultural literacy to support it; Reading thousands of books is a way to improve your literacy. Only by reading thousands of books can you have a profound knowledge, can knowledge and art penetrate each other, can you have wonderful enlightenment, can you have extraordinary hands and eyes, and can you come up with new ideas one after another.

The last two lines of the poem say that those with family origins should first inherit their family knowledge, and then draw on others' strengths to seek new development. In short, this four-line poem picked up at hand has profound meaning and is worth chewing. You will never tire of reading it a hundred times, and it will always be new to you.