Scholars should be determined to pursue the truth.

Scholars should be determined to pursue the truth.

In the ninth chapter of The Analects of Confucius, Confucius said, "It is not a concern to be ashamed of being naked if you are determined by the Tao." It means: "Scholars who are interested in Taoism are ashamed of wearing old clothes and eating coarse grains. This kind of person is not worth discussing with him. "

"Aspiring to the Tao" means keeping the Tao in your heart, making up your mind to stick to it and making up your mind to implement it. Confucius' teaching is to cultivate a gentleman who has lofty ideals and can take on great responsibilities. Walking from Ming Dow is the most basic requirement for students. Studying for an official is also a stage to better walk and spread the road.

Why is it not worth discussing Tao with Old Master Q when he said, "Those who are devoted to Tao are ashamed of eating bad clothes and eating bad food"? What Confucius said is benevolence, which is related to the public in the world. Food and clothing are his own self-interest. You should "aspire to the Tao", be ashamed of being naked and not eating enough, and give up benevolence and righteousness or even do evil just to get rid of poverty, which shows that your ambition is also empty. Confucius admired those who were "poor and ambitious", but looked down on those who were "poor and ambitious". A person who cares too much about material comforts often can't stand the temptation of bad external environment and the test of poor and hard life, so Confucius said, "discussion is not enough." This kind of person is not worth discussing with him. '