lines 162 – 169
Consider: If Liang Hao could overcome years of less
satisfactory results, can you not persist throughout the ups and downs
of your study to become as great a scholar as you can be? Keep
at your work, even though you suffer temporary setbacks. Do
not waver from your goal!
Indeed:
162. You young students
ought to resolve your mind to get to work.
Consider: The Eastern Wei dynasty had a famous general named Zu Ying.
He was a prodigy, known for his wisdom and the fact that as a youth, he
was able to recite poetry and the Book
of History when he was only eight years old. Imagine how
hard he must have worked to achieve this!
Indeed:
163. Eight year old Ying
could already chant poems.
Consider: In the Tang dynasty there was a renowned scholar named Li
Bi who could read and write by the age of six; he was
industrious and studious. He soon came to the attention of the emperor
through the recommendation of another child prodigy. Challenged by the
emperor to extemporaneously compose a prose passage meeting certain
criteria. Li Bi did so, and then bettered his effort by doing the same
in a poem. All this at the age of seven! How talented he was and how
much effort he must have devoted to his studies to be able to so
impress the emperor!
Indeed:
164.
Seven year old Bi could
write both prose and poetry about chess.
165. They
were clever and had deep understanding; people called their
accomplishments wonderful.
166. You young
students ought to strive to match their deeds.
Consider: In the days of the Eastern Han dynasty, there was lady named
Cai Wen Ji. One day, when her father was playing the zither, it
happened that within his sight, the family cat caught and killed a
mouse. So sensitive was she that she was able to tell, just from the
sound of the zither, that something involving death had occurred. Such
delicacy of perception is to be admired! Later in her life she was
exiled and wrote a poem that was so expressive of her feelings, that
everyone who read it felt her sorrow. she eventually returned to China
and married a scholar.
Indeed:
167. The young lady Cai Wen Ji,
could tell the emotions of zither players
from the way the music was played.
Consider: In the days of the Eastern Jin dynasty, there was a lady
named Xie Dao Yun. She was also skilled in writing poetry and quick of
thought. She was not only good at this, but was also an exemplar of the
wifely behavior after her husband died.
Indeed:
168. Xie Dao Yun
was a noted woman poet.
169. They
were girls but yet they were clever and quick.