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Classical ritual and educational text · source-linked collection

Book of Rites 《礼记》

The Book of Rites collection brings together several distinct chapters. Each card shows its own chapter title so the broader source does not flatten their differences.

6 verified lines0 linked authors8 connected themes

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6 curated lines
✓ Verified sourceBilingual

教学相长也。

Jiào xué xiāng zhǎng yě.

Close English reading

Teaching and learning cause each other to grow.

Plain meaningTeachers and students can improve through one another.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Record of Learning
Book of Rites: Record of Learning
Why it fitsThe surrounding passage says learning reveals what one lacks, while teaching reveals where one is blocked.
Original context and translation note
虽有嘉肴，弗食，不知其旨也；虽有至道，弗学，不知其善也。是故学然后知不足，教然后知困。知不足，然后能自反也；知困，然后能自强也。故曰：教学相长也。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

苟日新，日日新，又日新。

Gǒu rì xīn, rì rì xīn, yòu rì xīn.

Close English reading

If you can renew yourself in one day, renew yourself each day, and renew yourself again.

Plain meaningKeep becoming new through daily improvement.

Source
Traditionally associated with Zengzi· Pre-Qin China · The Great Learning
Book of Rites: The Great Learning
Why it fitsIts repetition turns renewal into a daily discipline rather than a one-time reset.
Original context and translation note
汤之盘铭曰：苟日新，日日新，又日新。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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物有本末，事有终始。知所先后，则近道矣。

Wù yǒu běn mò, shì yǒu zhōng shǐ. Zhī suǒ xiān hòu, zé jìn dào yǐ.

Close English reading

Things have roots and branches; affairs have endings and beginnings. To know what comes first and what follows is to approach the Way.

Plain meaningKnow what matters first, and do not confuse the root with the branches.

Source
Traditionally associated with Zengzi· Pre-Qin China · The Great Learning
Book of Rites: The Great Learning
Why it fitsIt frames good judgment as the ability to distinguish foundations, details, and proper sequence.
Original context and translation note
物有本末，事有终始。知所先后，则近道矣。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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心不在焉，视而不见，听而不闻，食而不知其味。

Xīn bù zài yān, shì ér bù jiàn, tīng ér bù wén, shí ér bù zhī qí wèi.

Close English reading

When the mind is absent, one looks without seeing, hears without listening, and eats without knowing the taste.

Plain meaningWithout attention, you can be present and still miss everything.

Source
Traditionally associated with Zengzi· Pre-Qin China · The Great Learning
Book of Rites: The Great Learning
Why it fitsIt describes distraction through ordinary senses that stop registering what is directly in front of them.
Original context and translation note
心不在焉，视而不见，听而不闻，食而不知其味。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

凡事豫则立，不豫则废。

Fán shì yù zé lì, bù yù zé fèi.

Close English reading

In all things, preparation leads to success; lack of preparation leads to failure.

Plain meaningPrepare before you begin if you want the work to stand.

Source
Traditionally attributed to Zisi· Warring States period · Doctrine of the Mean
Book of Rites: Doctrine of the Mean
Why it fitsIt states the practical value of preparation in the fewest possible words.
Original context and translation note
凡事豫则立，不豫则废；言前定则不跲，事前定则不困。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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博学之，审问之，慎思之，明辨之，笃行之。

Bó xué zhī, shěn wèn zhī, shèn sī zhī, míng biàn zhī, dǔ xíng zhī.

Close English reading

Study broadly, question carefully, think cautiously, distinguish clearly, and practice earnestly.

Plain meaningLearn widely, ask well, think clearly, judge carefully, and then act.

Source
Traditionally attributed to Zisi· Warring States period · Doctrine of the Mean
Book of Rites: Doctrine of the Mean
Why it fitsIt presents learning as a full cycle rather than passive information gathering.
Original context and translation note
博学之，审问之，慎思之，明辨之，笃行之。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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LearningWisdomNew beginningsFriendshipInner peaceMistakes & renewalPerspectiveTeaching & mentorship

Passages from the Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Record of Learning, and related chapters on attention, preparation, practice, and teaching. This page is a curated bilingual selection, not a claim to translate the complete source.

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