Confucius WisdomSubscribe

On Learning

居无求安,君子食无求饱s言,敏于事而慎于就有道而正焉,可谓好学也已

"A person of character does not seek fullness in food or comfort in dwelling; he is quick in action, cautious in speech, and turns to those who possess the right path to correct himself."

Chinese Original

居无求安,君子食无求饱s言,敏于事而慎于就有道而正焉,可谓好学也已

English Rendering

The noble person does not seek fullness in food or comfort in dwelling; he is quick in action, cautious in speech, and turns to those who possess the Way to correct himself.

Chinese Translation

孔子说:"君子吃饭不求饱足,居住不求舒适,办事敏捷,说话谨慎,向得道之人学习以改正自己的缺点,这样就可以说是好学了。"

Modern Meaning

In "居无求安,君子食无求饱s言,敏于事而慎于就有道而正焉,可谓好学也已," Confucius focuses on a person of character does not seek fullness in food or comfort in dwelling. The exact principle is that learning becomes real only when repeated, corrected, and carried into conduct. The tension is not generic practice; it is the specific problem that knowledge stays shallow when it is consumed once and never reviewed, practiced, or taught, which still appears in after finishing one lesson, book chapter, work memo, or conversation.

How to Apply Today

Use this teaching today in after finishing one lesson, book chapter, work memo, or conversation. Because this line says "A person of character does not seek fullness in food or comfort in dwelling," return to one useful idea and use it in a small task before the day ends, so the lesson becomes visible in one behavior.

Reflection Question

For "居无求安,君子食无求饱s言,敏于事而慎于就有道而正焉,可谓好学也已" (row 18, 为学篇 / On Learning), Which piece of knowledge am I treating as learned even though I have not practiced it?

Action Step

Review one lesson from today and use it in one email, decision, or conversation, specifically in response to this demand: "A person of character does not seek fullness in food or comfort in dwelling."

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Related Quotes

More Confucius quotes connected to this theme.

On Learning

人能弘道,非道弘人。

"A person can enlarge the right path; the right path does not enlarge the person."

In "人能弘道,非道弘人," Confucius focuses on a person can enlarge the right path. The exact principle is that wisdom has to become a visible pattern of conduct, not a sentence one merely agrees with. The tension is not generic conduct; it is the specific problem that people understand a principle abstractly but fail to choose the behavior it requires in the next situation, which still appears in facing a routine decision where character is easier to postpone than practice.

Read this Confucius quote

On Learning

学而时习之,不亦说乎 ?

"Is it not a pleasure to learn and practice what one has learned at the proper time?"

In "学而时习之,不亦说乎 ," Confucius focuses on is it not a pleasure to learn and practice what one has learned at the proper time. The exact principle is that learning becomes real only when repeated, corrected, and carried into conduct. The tension is not generic practice; it is the specific problem that knowledge stays shallow when it is consumed once and never reviewed, practiced, or taught, which still appears in after finishing one lesson, book chapter, work memo, or conversation.

Read this Confucius quote

On Learning

学而不厌,悔人不倦。

"To learn without weariness and teach without tiring."

In "学而不厌,悔人不倦," Confucius focuses on to learn without weariness and teach without tiring. The exact principle is that learning becomes real only when repeated, corrected, and carried into conduct. The tension is not generic practice; it is the specific problem that knowledge stays shallow when it is consumed once and never reviewed, practiced, or taught, which still appears in after finishing one lesson, book chapter, work memo, or conversation.

Read this Confucius quote

Related Analects

Analects explained for the same modern problem.

Analects 1.1

Learning and Daily Practice

子曰:学而时习之,不亦说乎?

The opening of the Analects defines wisdom as practiced knowledge. Confucius does not separate study from conduct.

Read this Analects explanation

Analects 13.3

The Discipline of Clear Roles

子曰:名不正,则言不顺;言不顺,则事不成。

The rectification of names is a practical doctrine of clarity. A title should match a duty, and a promise should match behavior.

Read this Analects explanation