Topics · Mind & Meaning
Wisdom about learning & education.
What people have learned about learning & education the hard way, and what the classics said about it first.
Discussions
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- Speak from experience. Say what you lived and what you learned. Advice without a story is easy to ignore.
- Be kind to the person. Disagree with an idea as much as you like. Never with someone’s worth.
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From the library
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Let each man direct himself first to what is proper; then let him teach others.
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
What other men (thus) teach, I also teach. The violent and strong do not die their natural death. I will make this the basis of my teaching.
I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
He who devotes himself to learning (seeks) from day to day to increase (his knowledge); he who devotes himself to the Tao (seeks) from day to day to diminish (his doing).
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Therefore the sages got their knowledge without travelling; gave their (right) names to things without seeing them; and accomplished their ends without any purpose of doing so.
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
The difficulty in governing the people arises from their having much knowledge. He who (tries to) govern a state by his wisdom is a scourge to it; while he who does not (try to) do so is a blessing.
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
The great state only wishes to unite men together and nourish them; a small state only wishes to be received by, and to serve, the other. Each gets what it desires, but the great state must learn to abase itself.
Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
Therefore the sage knows (these things) of himself, but does not parade (his knowledge); loves, but does not (appear to set a) value on, himself. And thus he puts the latter alternative away and makes choice of the former.
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
He constantly (tries to) keep them without knowledge and without desire, and where there are those who have knowledge, to keep them from presuming to act (on it). When there is this abstinence from action, good order is universal.
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
To him by whom this harmony is known, (The secret of) the unchanging (Tao) is shown, And in the knowledge wisdom finds its throne. All life-increasing arts to evil turn; Where the mind makes the vital breath to burn, (False) is the strength, (and o'er it we should mourn.)
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
In loving the people and ruling the state, cannot he proceed without any (purpose of) action? In the opening and shutting of his gates of heaven, cannot he do so as a female bird? While his intelligence reaches in every direction, cannot he (appear to) be without knowledge?
Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
The skilful masters (of the Tao) in old times, with a subtle and exquisite penetration, comprehended its mysteries, and were deep (also) so as to elude men's knowledge. As they were thus beyond men's knowledge, I will make an effort to describe of what sort they appeared to be.
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Therefore the sage desires what (other men) do not desire, and does not prize things difficult to get; he learns what (other men) do not learn, and turns back to what the multitude of men have passed by. Thus he helps the natural development of all things, and does not dare to act (with an ulterior purpose of his own).
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
When we renounce learning we have no troubles. The (ready) 'yes,' and (flattering) 'yea;'— Small is the difference they display. But mark their issues, good and ill;— What space the gulf between shall fill? What all men fear is indeed to be feared; but how wide and without end is the range of questions (asking to be discussed)!
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
The report of that fulfilment is the regular, unchanging rule. To know that unchanging rule is to be intelligent; not to know it leads to wild movements and evil issues. The knowledge of that unchanging rule produces a (grand) capacity and forbearance, and that capacity and forbearance lead to a community (of feeling with all things). From this community of feeling comes a kingliness of…
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.