A straight line and a circle

Post 32 Encouraging learning

Xunzi was an ancient philosopher and educationist whose essay on Encourage Learning written 2000 years ago is still applicable today. A small part of its contents is discussed here for our mutual encouragement.

A piece of wood can become perfectly straight if it is planed according to the line marked by the inked measuring string. When the same piece of wood is treated with heat to make it look like a wheel, then its roundness should befit that of a circle drawn by a pair of compasses.

If the same piece of wood were to be heated again or be dried under the scorching sun, it will never become straight again. This is so because that piece of wood has been processed to make it round.

Xunzi was trying to put forward his view that the environmental factor is important in making a person to be knowledgeable. Just like a knife and a sword can only become sharp when they are grinded on stones, one must therefore be steadfast in one’s learning and go through countless difficulties and hardships to excel in life.

Knowledge is accumulated day by day in lifelong learning.

9 February 2010