Consider: Everything in nature has its own function. Birds sing and
spread seeds. Trees five shade and fruit trees give fruit. Hammer can
pound things and grain gives food to both men and to animals. The
unique thing about human nature is that we can learn and we can use
what
we learn to make our lives better and make the lives of other people
better.
Indeed:
176. The
dog takes care of the night; the chicken takes care of the morning.
177. If one
does not study, what is the use of being human?
Consider:
We people are part of nature and we must be faithful to it. Of what use
is a bee that does not make honey, or a wheel that is not round? A
human who does not learn and does not make the exertion needed to make
life better is degenerate and useless!
Indeed:
178. The silkworm makes
silk and the wasp makes honey; . . .
179. . . . if humans
don't study, they are not even as good as animals.
Consider:
But studying for studying's sake is worthless, there must be a goal,
and what better goal than use what has been studied to make life
better? Learning without putting into practice is fruitless and a waste
of time. learn well, become an official and then you will have the
power and the wisdom to improve life, for everyone, starting with the
emperor and even unto the most humble of the people of the empire.
Indeed:
180. When young, you
should study, then when you are grown up you can do
something - . . .
181.
. . . on the one hand,
help the emperor, on the other, benefit the
people.
Consider:
In addition, becoming a scholar will also help fulfill your duties of
filial piety. What greater happiness and fulfillment could come to your
parents than that which they would feel in seeing you become true
scholar and beneficial official? And the happiness and fulfillment with
resound throughout the nine generations we mentioned before, and your
descendants in particular will praise you every day for the way you
will have made their own lives and everyone else's better.
Indeed:
182. Make a name for
yourself and thereby honor your parents; . . .
183. . . . add luster to
your forebears' names and provide abundance for
those who come after you.
Consider: Merchants may be able to leave their families well off,
but of what good is that? Peasants may acquire more land, but of what
good is that. Do they thereby show their attainments in virtue? Will
they have served the emperor and the people? Will they have shown
virtue, as I spoke of before? Be aware of that which is of lasting
value and that which satisfies only temporarily.
Indeed:
184. Some people leave
their children pots of gold, . . .
185.
. . . I leave
only this one classic.
Consider:
Success comes from hard work and applied learning. Mere fleeting joy is
of no account. Do not waste the moments of your youth on frivolous and
unproductive activities. Follow the examples I have given. Apply
yourself. Do all you can, every moment and every day!
Indeed:
186. Hard work pays off;
there is no positive result from play.
187. Guard against this
waste! Do your utmost to better yourself!