The plant Polygonum can be used to make a beautiful indigo dye.(青出於藍)
There was a famous thinker during the
Warring States period in China, his name was Xun Kuang.
He was a famous scholar who studied
Confucianism. He has many views that are different from other Confucian
scholars.
He has many disciples.
After his death, his disciples actively
spread his philosophical ideas.
Later generations of scholars and
politicians were very fond of his unique insights.
His disciples compiled the highlights of
his thought into a book, including the following passage.
If we want to become a person of high moral
character and a wise person, we should continue to learn.
We can extract very beautiful indigo dye
from the plant Polygonum indica. These indigo dyes are more valuable to us
humans than the plant Polygonum indigo.
We can make very hard ice cubes by putting
them in an environment with a lower temperature than water. The value of these
cold ice cubes to us humans is greater than that of water, a common substance.
A cheap straight piece of wood can be bent
into a round shape after many complicated processes. At that time, the round
piece of wood can be made into a valuable wheel.
We must always think of these examples when
we learn knowledge.
The process of learning is quite boring and
tedious. The truth is often very simple and seems to be nothing special. But it
is only when we take the time to understand and practise that we realise the
true value of these truths.
Carpenters use fountains of ink and elastic
threads to make the sawing of wood very straight, and goldsmiths use whetstones
to keep the tools they use very sharp.
As we acquire knowledge and increase our
wisdom, we must also remember these two examples at the same time.
We must keep a humble heart, accept
feedback and opinions from others, and treat others' criticism like the inkwell
and string used by carpenters and the whetstone used by goldsmiths.
If we do this, our moral character and
wisdom will improve day by day.
The literal translation of this idiom is
that the plant Polygonum can produce a very beautiful indigo dye.
It is used to describe a student who has
achieved more than his teacher or a person who has achieved more than his
father.
Dear friend, what inspirations or thoughts
do you have after listening to this story?
What have you learned recently? Do you
think that your achievements exceed those of your father?
I hope this story can give you some new insights.
青出於藍(The plant Polygonum can be used to
make a beautiful indigo dye.)
中國的戰國時代有一個著名的思想家，他的名字叫做(荀況)。
他是一個研究儒家思想的著名學者，他提出了很多與其他儒家學者不同的觀點。
他有很多的學生。
他死後他的學生們積極的傳播他的哲學思想。
後代有很多的學者與政治家們都很喜歡他獨特的見解。
他的學生們將他的思想重點集結成為一本書，這本書中有一段話如下。
我們如果要成為一個品德高尚的人、一個有智慧的人，我們就應該持續的學習。
我們從蓼藍這種植物可以提煉出非常漂亮的靛青色的染劑，這些靛青色的染劑對我們人類的價值勝過蓼藍這種植物。
我們比水放在低溫的環境中可以製作出非常堅硬的冰塊，這些寒冷的冰塊的對我們人類的價值勝過水這種常見的物質。
一根便宜的直的木頭經過很多到複雜的工序才可以彎曲成為一個圓形的形狀，這個時候這個圓形的木頭就可以製作成為一個有價值的車輪。
我們學習知識時必須常常想到這幾個例子。
學習的過程是相當事枯燥而且無聊，真理往往都很簡單而且看似沒有甚麼特別之處，但是我們只有付出時間去理解與實踐後，我們才可以到這些真理的真正價值。
木匠透過墨斗與彈線來讓自己鋸木頭的時候可以鋸的很筆直，金匠用磨刀石來讓自己所使用的工具可以保持在很鋒利的狀態。
我們在學習知識增長自已的智慧地的同時也要同時記得這兩個例子。
我們要保持一顆謙遜的心，我們要接受別人給我們的反饋與意見，我們要把那些別人的批評當作木匠所使用的墨斗與彈線、金匠所使用的磨刀石。
我們如果這樣做，我們的品德與智慧就能夠一天比一天更進步。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是蓼藍這種植物可以提煉出非常漂亮的靛青色的染劑。
這句成語被用來形容一個學生的成就超過他的老師或是一個人的成就超過他的父親。
親愛的朋友，你聽完這個故事有怎樣的啟發或有怎樣的想法呢。
你最近學了什麼知識呢?你認為你的成就是否超過你的父親呢?
我希望這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為荀子-勸學篇