Chapter 5 reading and aspiration

One must be determined, so as not to live aimlessly, especially not to be lonely and lose self-control.The source of ambition must come from learning.Therefore, eager to learn and seek knowledge, and diligent in reading, are the first-class skills for standing in the world. If a person can get used to eating and drinking without reading for a day, then he has truly reached the state of reading and keeping his heart and mind. Liang Qichao's way of discussing aspirations: There are many lessons for aspirations, and you must broaden your knowledge. The more you see, the bigger your aspirations will be. This is also the end; Reminder, if you read it here, this is another end; if you have a set ambition, you must seek knowledge to apply it, otherwise it will become empty words, and you will degenerate after a long time, this is another end.

Ren Gong's discussion of the three ends of determination is almost all related to reading.The so-called one must broaden one's knowledge and insight, which can be obtained from the books; since the ambition must be cultivated, the scrolls are also the rich nectar and jade dew of the ambition; It's been a long time. Re-examination of Zeng Guofan's words: Scholars must first have ambition; second, knowledge; and third, perseverance.If you have ambition, you will not be willing to be obscene; if you have knowledge, you will know that knowledge is endless, and you dare not be self-sufficient; if you have perseverance, you will never accomplish anything. The three are indispensable.

The three essentials mentioned by Wen Zhenggong have also hinted that all of them are related to reading.The so-called determination, knowledge, and persistence are all three that are not learned without being able to straighten one's mind, seeing its greatness and holding on to one's body.Especially the untiring and tireless reading is the first-class effort to develop perseverance.As Lu Longqi (Jia Shu), another master scholar in the Qing Dynasty, said: Proficiency is the most important thing in reading, and haste is the number one disease in reading.If you can keep going, even if you don't read much in a day, it will be enough if you accumulate it over time.If you want to hurry every moment, you will do scribbles every moment.These words not only show that everything is precious and persevering, but also a stab at those who have no time to read.

Anyone who is eager to learn and seek knowledge is not a person who achieves nothing.Even if you don't talk about your aspirations, your aspirations are self-reliant.There is no need to show it outside, and its talent will show itself.That is to say, a learned person is like a jade in a mountain, like a pearl hidden in a deep place. Although it does not appear, it is wonderful and naturally radiant. Those who have never made a career have not done it from their knowledge. In light of this, a person's determination and accomplishment depend entirely on knowledge as the foundation and beginning of his endeavors.

The so-called determination must be seen to be big before it can be called ambition.If one only seeks one's own selfishness and one's own interests, one can only regard it as a wish, not a will.Only those who have practical knowledge and true knowledge can understand the separation of aspirations and wishes. (Number 71, 1, 30)