[Daily Analects 01]? The first part of "Learning and Learning

Tzu said: "Learning from time to time, is it not also saying? When a friend comes from afar, isn't it a joyful thing to do? People do not know but do not huff, not also a gentleman?"

Translation:

Confucius said, "Isn't it a pleasure to learn the principles of conduct and practice them at the right time? Doesn't it make you happy when friends of like mind come from afar to meet you? Other people do not understand you, and you are not angry, is not also the gentleman's demeanor?"

Learning Insights:

I like Mr. Fu's understanding of "learning" and his commentary. He emphasized that Confucius' "learning" has three connotations:

First, to learn ancient knowledge and techniques.

Secondly, learning should be accompanied by reflection and personal experience.

Third, learning is related to behavior. Learning can change one's behavior, which is what is called being human.

The fact that one will not commit the same faults as before shows that learning has a power to transform oneself. From this we can see that Confucius' "learning" is all-encompassing learning and growth.

If we are able to learn in this way, to change the things we do not do well, is it not also a kind of change for self-growth?

We must first allow ourselves to study hard enough to be honest with ourselves when we are successful in our studies and unappreciated.

Reference:

? A Detailed Discourse on the Analects of Confucius Fu Peirong