Author: (Song) Liu Qingzhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: When Mencius was young, he went to study and returned after a short time. Mencius's mother was weaving, and she asked, "How far have you progressed in your studies?" Mencius replied, "As before." Mencius's mother cut the thread with a knife. Mencius, frightened, asked why. Mencius's mother said, "Discarding your studies is like cutting this thread. A gentleman studies to establish a reputation and gains knowledge by asking others. Thus, he remains at peace when seated and avoids harm when acting. If you now abandon your studies, you will inevitably become a servant and be unable to escape disaster. This is no different from weaving cloth to provide clothes. If you stop halfway, how can you ensure your husband is well-dressed and well-fed? If a woman stops managing food and clothing, a man cannot cultivate virtue. Then, you will either become thieves or be enslaved." Mencius, terrified, studied diligently day and night without relaxation. On page 2, he became a disciple of Zisi and became a renowned Confucian scholar in the world. [Translation] When Mencius was young, he went out to study and returned after a short time. Mencius's mother was weaving and asked him, "How are your studies going?" Mencius replied, "It's the same as before." Mencius's mother took scissors and cut the thread on the loom. Mencius was very frightened and asked why. Mencius's mother said, "Discarding your studies is like cutting this thread. A gentleman studies to establish a reputation and gains knowledge by asking others. Thus, he remains at peace when seated and avoids harm when acting. If you now abandon your studies, you will inevitably become a servant and be unable to escape disaster. This is no different from weaving cloth to provide clothes. If you stop halfway, how can you ensure your husband is well-dressed and well-fed? If a woman stops managing food and clothing, a man cannot cultivate virtue. Then, you will either become thieves or be enslaved." Mencius was terrified and studied diligently day and night without relaxation. On page 3, he became a disciple of Zisi and, through hard work, became a renowned Confucian scholar in the world.