Hsun Tzu Encouraging Learning In The Midst Of a Gentleman
Hsun Tzu encourages learning. He preaches that learning should never cease. “There is no greater godliness than to transform yourself with the Way, no greater blessing than to escape misfortune” (Hsun Tzu 9). Knowledge is power. Hsun relates his teachings with the phrase “gentleman” a Confucian term for a person of virtue and breeding, one who always fulfills his or hers role for a person of his or hers rank. “If the gentleman studies widely and each day examines himself, his wisdom will become clear and his conduct be without fault” (HsunTzu 10). Hsun dissertates about never giving up. This is where I can relate. I am a college student with a long ways to go with my education and self-doubt is always on the back of my mind. Hsun Tzu teachings revolve around ideas; that dedication to learning, never quitting and choosing the right company with care make a gentleman.
Hsun preaches that one must dedicate their self to learn. If you don’t know anything how does one expect to do anything? “If you do not climb a high mountain, you will not comprehend the highness of the heavens; if you do not look down into a deep valley, you will not know the depth of the earth; and if you do not hear the words handed down from the ancient kings you will not understand the greatness of learning” (HsunTzu 9). Knowledge is power; in order to gain that power I must learn experience and attain from those before me. Hsun is right, I can’t expect to conquer the world and run an empire if I can’t even attempt to be successful in English 1302. Or take advice from those who are wiser than mean such as my teachers.
“Achievement consists of never giving up. If you start carving and then give up, you cannot even cut through a piece of rotten wood; but if you persist without stopping, you can carve and inlay metal or stone” (HsunTzu 11). Hsun speaks about how important it is to never give up on anything that one starts because nothing would ever be accomplished if one gives up. Being persistent is a quality that Hsun discusses about in his philosophy. I can relate, never giving up is a tremendous aspect to my ambitions in my journey to success. I quit one thing in my life and that was soccer. I always like to use this notion that “If you do not give your absolute one hundred percent, you will never know the true potential in the task that you’ve started”. I’ve used this in relationships, school, work, and fitness. Nothing comes easy in life. If it did everyone would be rich, everyone would be married, and everyone would have the perfect body. Learning isn’t an easy task studying isn’t easy, it is hard and complicated. This is why achievement consists of never giving up.
Learning to choose the right crowd to hang out with is essential to good character. Choosing company is very important in life. “A gentleman will take care in selecting the community he intends to live in, and will choose men of breeding for his companions. In this way he wards off evil and meanness, he draws close to fairness and right” (HsunTzu 10). “You are who you hang out with” my mom always says. Learning how to pick these people who are right, who are positive, who are going to bring a person up and be beneficial in one’s life is the tricky thing. This has helped me throughout college, it has allowed me to be more focused and driven. I had to stop hanging out with some people who weren’t good for me so I could meet the right people. You can’t hang around chickens and expect to sore with eagles.
Hsun evangelize that constantly learning will help you when life throws situations your way that you have no control over. He teaches one how to be a gentleman and never cease to stop learning. That dedication to learning, never quitting and choosing the right company with care make a gentleman. Through life experiences, I’ve learned that life throws unexplainable things at you. One day you find yourself on the ground lost and lonely. The thing is, that one day everyone eventually experiences that crisis. But I believe what makes a person’s character is what they choose to do when they hit the bottom. What they do to get back up, what they do to make a difference.
Hsun Zhu. “Encouraging Learning.” Reading the World: Ideas that Matter. Ed.
Michael Austin. 2nd ed. New York: W. W. Norton, 2010. 9-14. Print.