Confucius WisdomSubscribe

On Learning

德之不修,学之不讲,闻义不能徙,不善不能改,是吾忧也。

"Failing to cultivate virtue, failing to discuss learning, failing to move toward what is right, and failing to correct what is not good: these are my worries."

Chinese Original

德之不修,学之不讲,闻义不能徙,不善不能改,是吾忧也。

English Rendering

Failing to cultivate virtue, failing to discuss learning, failing to move toward what is right, and failing to correct what is not good: these are my worries.

Chinese Translation

孔子说:"不培养品德,不讲习学问,合乎义礼的事不能亲身去做,有缺点不能及时改正,这些都是我忧虑的事。"

Modern Meaning

In "德之不修,学之不讲,闻义不能徙,不善不能改,是吾忧也," Confucius focuses on failing to cultivate virtue, failing to discuss learning, failing to move toward what is right, and... 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 "Failing to cultivate virtue, failing to discuss learning, failing to move toward what is right, and...," 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 "德之不修,学之不讲,闻义不能徙,不善不能改,是吾忧也" (row 27, 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: "Failing to cultivate virtue, failing to discuss learning, failing to move toward what is right, and..."

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Study the full collection with bilingual teachings, modern explanations, reflection questions, and action steps.

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