lines 153 – 161
Consider: In the days of old, few men had the luxury of being able to
study full-time. They had to work to help their families and as well
they had to continue their studies. Some would have worked in the time
they needed to work and studied only in their free time. Such an
attitude is not correct.
Two poor men of the past knew how to apply themselves to their studies
even though they needed to perform daily physical labor. They show us
that it is possible to fruitfully spend our time in working and in
studying at the same time.
Zhu Mai Chen of the Han Dynasty was from a family of
woodcutters. They
would cut up trees to sell the wood to their fellow villagers, and he
worked in the family trade. But he knew that he needed to continue his
studies in spite of the amount of time he had to spend working. His
solution was to tie a copy of the book he was studying to the pole on
which he carried the cut wood, so that while transporting the wood he
could simultaneously carry out his studies.
Another man of the Sui Dynasty by the name of Li
Mi was from a poor
farming family. The family had a cow which he had to take to the fields
every day, and to get the most use of his time, he tied a copy of the History of the Han
to the cow's horns. Thus while riding the cow, he could at the same
time further his studies.
Both men became highly ranked officials and through their diligence
were a credit to themselves and their families.
Even though you are small, can you not recite this classic while you
are helping your mother? When you go to get water, can you not recall
the lessons I have been teaching you? Would you not then be following
this men's admirable examples?
Indeed:
153. Some
cleverly studied while working at menial jobs, . . .
154. . . . even though
their bodies were exhausted, they overcame their problems.
Consider: You are young now when you begin your study. You may wonder
why you do this, or of what value it can be to you. There was a man of
the Song Dynasty named Su
Xun, also known as Su Lao Quan, who perhaps felt as you do,
for he was not known as a diligent scholar. When he was young he had no
interest in studying. But at the age of 27 he realized how much in
error he had been. Thereafter he studied extremely hard at every
opportunity and did everything he could to continue his education. His
dedication to studying influenced his sons as well and they became
great scholars, and one of them, Su Dong Po, became a famous poet. The
father and sons are now known as the San
Su, the three Sus, for their knowledge and scholarship.
Indeed:
155. Su Lao
Quan, at the age of 27, . . .
156. . . . roused himself
to begin studying books; . . .
Consider: Su
Lao Quan did not conduct his early life in a appropriate
way; he came to regret this, and did all he could to later rectify the
situation. And by consistent application to his studies, though he
started late and in addition also had his own family, he succeeded in
becoming a great scholar.
Think what he might have achieved if he had applied himself from an
early age! You young scholars have the advantage over him; you can
start your studies properly at an early age and strive to succeed
throughout your education. If you wait as he did, it may be too late
for you, for you may not be as motivated or as smart as he was.
Indeed:
157. . . . he
was quite old to begin studying seriously; even though he succeeded, he
greatly regretted his late start.
158. You young students
should think of these things early.
Consider: You know that you must be diligent in your studies.
In the Song Dynasty there was a man who showed this sort of diligence
to a remarkable degree. His name was Liang Hao and throughout his life
he loved to study and applied himself to his studies with the utmost
diligence. In his early years his studies did not yield him any great
recognition or praise, but at the age of 82, he achieved the very
highest
honor that was available to scholars in the annual civil examinations.
He achieved the highest marks of all the candidates at that time, even
at his advanced age! Persistence through over seventy years of study
crowned with such success; is this not praiseworthy diligence?
Indeed:
159. There
was, for instance, Liang Hao, who, at the age of 82 . . .
160. . . .
got first place in the annual examination for scholars.
161. When he so succeed
at his age, everyone called it exceptional.