Never feeling tired all day(終日不倦)
Confucius's real name was Kong Qiu. 'Kong
Fuzi' is the respectful title given to him by others.
He was an exceptional teacher. He is one of
the most influential thinkers in Chinese history.
He had over 3,000 students, 72 of whom were
particularly outstanding.
Confucius had an only son named Kong Li.
One day, Confucius spoke to Kong Li in a
serious yet kind manner.
Some people say that studying is the only
way to stop yourself from feeling tired all day, and I agree with that.
Nowadays, many people pursue physical
appearance, but I believe that a person's appearance and physique do not
warrant special attention. Similarly, many people pursue strength, but I
believe that a person's courage and strength do not warrant special fear.
Furthermore, many people boast about their ancestors, but I believe that a
person's illustrious family has nothing to do with them.
Many people disagree with my views. They
say, 'We agree that you think a person's appearance and strength are
unimportant, but we disagree that you don't value a person's family and
surname.'
I replied to these people.
Why has this family achieved such a great
reputation? Why have the deeds of their ancestors been passed down to this day?
I believe it's because, during their lifetimes, these ancestors diligently
learned and transformed themselves, evolving into capable, morally upright
individuals.
You are young now and spend a lot of time
on your appearance every day. You want to dress more beautifully and groom
yourself.
But I want to share my life experience with
you. I think it's good that you focus on your appearance, because people
respect those who pay attention to how they look. They perceive such people as
cultured, tasteful and polite.
However, a good appearance alone is not
enough — you must also study hard.
When people first meet you, they may
respect you for your good looks. However, if they discover that you are merely
a pretty face without substance, they will lose respect for you.
You are still young. Seize the time to
learn and become a person full of inner beauty.
Strive to be like a pool full of water
surrounded by beautiful reeds, so that outsiders cannot see the pool itself
clearly.
You may not understand my words right now,
but I am sharing my experience with you.
Pursuing outward appearance, strength and
fame can easily lead to boredom. Only learning allows for continuous growth and
inner fulfilment, and brings lasting joy.
You should strive to become a person with
abundant inner qualities but an unassuming exterior.
This idiom translates as "never
feeling tired all day".
Dear friend, what inspiration or thoughts
have you gained from this story?
Do you think that a person's illustrious
family background necessarily indicates a noble character? Did your father give
you any wise advice?
I hope this story will give you some new
insights.
終日不倦(Never feeling tired all day)
孔子的名字是(孔丘)。孔夫子是人們對他的尊稱。
他是一位傑出的教育家。他是為中國歷史上最有影響力的思想家之一。
他的學生超過3000人，其中特別傑出的學生有72個。
孔子有一個獨生子，這個獨生子的名字叫做(孔鯉)。
有一天，孔子用很嚴肅又很慈祥的態度對孔鯉說。
有些人說只有學習這件事情可以讓人們做一整天都不感到疲倦的，我認同這種說法。
現在有很多人追求外貌，但我認為一個人的外貌與身體並不值得我們去特別關注；有很多人追求力氣，但我認為一個人的勇猛與力氣不值得我們去特別畏懼；現在有很多人誇耀自己的祖先，但我認為一個人的家族顯赫跟這個人並沒有關係。
很多人不認同我的看法，他們會說，你認為一個人的外貌與力氣不重要我們可以認同，但我們不能認同你不重視一個人的家族與姓氏。
我回答這些人。
為何這個家族能夠擁有而盛大的名聲呢?為何這這個家族的先祖們的事蹟可以流傳到現在呢?我認為這是因為這些家族的先祖們在他們活著的時候，它們透過努力的學習去改變自己，他們透過學習讓自己進化成一個有能力且道德高尚的人。
你現在還年輕，你每天會花很多的時間在整理你的儀容上，你會想要穿得更漂亮，你會想要打扮自己。
但我想跟你分享我的生命經驗，我認為你注重自己的儀容這個想法是對的，因為人們會尊重一個一個注重自己的儀容的人，人們會認為這個人是一個有教養而且有品味且有禮貌的人。
但是僅有好的儀容是不夠的，你還必須要加上努力的學習。
人們跟你第一次見面的時候，會因為你有好的儀容而尊重你，但是在與你有著更深入的接觸與了解之後，如果他們發現你是一個空有外表而沒有內在的人，他們就是失去對你的尊重。
你現在還很年輕，你要記得，你要把握時間學習，讓自己成為一個充滿內涵的人。
你要期勉自己像是一個有著水源充沛的水池，但這個水池中長滿了漂亮的蘆葦，外人無法清楚的看到這個水池。
我現在的說法你可能暫時無法理解，但我分享我自己的經驗給你。
追求外在的外貌與力氣與名聲都很容易使人感到厭倦，只有能夠讓人持續成長並感到內心充實的學習才會讓人感到恆久的快樂。
你應該要追求自己成為一個有著充沛的內涵但外表不張揚的人。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是整天都不感到疲倦。
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。
你認為一個人的家族顯赫就可以代表這個人的品格高尚嗎?你的父親是否給過你那些箴言呢?
我期待這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為孔子家語-卷2-致思
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