能自得师者王 – Chinese philosophy and culture

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néng zì dé shī zhě wàng 能自得师者王

Eagerness to Learn Enables One to Excel Oneself.

能自己找到老师的人可以为王,意即能虚心向人学习的人才能有大作为。“王”(wànɡ)本指称王(wánɡ),即掌握国家最高权力,也可理解为干成大事业、实现大目标。这句话包含的道理有两层:其一,掌握权力的人,不要以势傲人,自以为是,而要虚怀若谷,礼贤下士,这样才能获得众人的辅佐,成就事业。其二,只有虚心好学,取人所长,才能不断丰富、提升自己,成为真正的强者。

Literally, this term means that a person who is able to find a teacher and is eager to learn may become a king. It indicates that a modest person who is eager to learn from others may accomplish great feats. King originally refers to the one who holds the supreme power of a nation, but it can also refer to a person who has made tremendous achievements and realized a great goal. This term has two conceptions. First, a person with the supreme power of a nation must not lord it over others, thinking he is always right; instead he should be modest, and be courteous to the worthy people. Thus he will win the people’s support and accomplish great achievements. Second, only when a person is modest and eager to learn from others, will he be able to broaden his knowledge, improve himself, and eventually become a person of great strength.

引例 Citation:

◎能自得师者王,谓人莫己若者亡。好问则裕,自用则小。(《尚书·仲虺之诰》)

(能够自己求得老师的人就会为王,以为别人不如自己的人就会灭亡。谦逊好问就会变得博大,自以为是就会变得狭小。)

A person who is able to find a teacher and is eager to learn may become a king. An arrogant person who always thinks that no one is better than himself will perish. A modest person who often asks questions will become broad-minded. A conceited person who thinks he is always right will become narrow-minded. (The Book of History)

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