Confucius WisdomSubscribe

On Learning

见贤思齐焉,见不贤而内自 省也。

"When you see a worthy person, think of becoming equal to him; when you see an unworthy person, examine yourself within."

Chinese Original

见贤思齐焉,见不贤而内自 省也。

English Rendering

When you see a worthy person, think of becoming equal to him; when you see an unworthy person, examine yourself within.

Chinese Translation

孔子说:"遇见才德好的人,就应该向他看齐,遇到无德才的人,就应反省自己有没有和他同样的毛病。"

Modern Meaning

In "见贤思齐焉,见不贤而内自 省也," Confucius focuses on when you see a worthy person, think of becoming equal to him. The exact principle is that learning needs the discipline of judgment, and judgment needs the discipline of study. The tension is not generic learning with reflection; it is the specific problem that people either collect information without examining it or trust their own opinions without testing them, which still appears in reading an article, taking a class, or leaving a meeting with new information.

How to Apply Today

Use this teaching today in reading an article, taking a class, or leaving a meeting with new information. Because this line says "When you see a worthy person, think of becoming equal to him," write one sentence that summarizes the lesson and one sentence that questions or tests it, so the lesson becomes visible in one behavior.

Reflection Question

For "见贤思齐焉,见不贤而内自 省也" (row 30, 为学篇 / On Learning), Where am I gathering information without thinking, or thinking without enough evidence?

Action Step

Write a two-sentence study note: one summary sentence and one question sentence, specifically in response to this demand: "When you see a worthy person, think of becoming equal to him."

Continue with the 162-teaching PDF handbook

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