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Classical philosophical text · source-linked collection

Xunzi 《荀子》

These selected passages show why Xunzi remains especially useful for questions about education, disciplined practice, and compounding effort.

4 verified lines1 linked authors5 connected themes

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4 curated lines
✓ Verified sourceBilingual

锲而舍之，朽木不折；锲而不舍，金石可镂。

Qiè ér shě zhī, xiǔ mù bù zhé; qiè ér bù shě, jīn shí kě lòu.

Close English reading

If you carve and give up, even rotten wood will not break; if you carve without stopping, metal and stone can be engraved.

Plain meaningPersistence makes even the hardest goal yield.

Source
Xunzi· Warring States period · Encouraging Learning
Xunzi
Why it fitsThe contrast shows that consistency matters more than a dramatic beginning.
Original context and translation note
锲而舍之，朽木不折；锲而不舍，金石可镂。

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

君子生非异也，善假于物也。

Jūn zǐ xìng fēi yì yě, shàn jiǎ yú wù yě.

Close English reading

The exemplary person is not born different; he is skilled at making use of things.

Plain meaningSuccess often comes from using tools and conditions well, not from being superhuman.

Source
Xunzi· Warring States period · Encouraging Learning
Xunzi
Why it fitsIt shifts attention from innate superiority to the intelligent use of tools, systems, and external support.
Original context and translation note
君子生非异也，善假于物也。

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

不积跬步，无以至千里；不积小流，无以成江海。

Bù jī kuǐ bù, wú yǐ zhì qiān lǐ; bù jī xiǎo liú, wú yǐ chéng jiāng hǎi.

Close English reading

Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles; without gathering small streams, rivers and seas cannot form.

Plain meaningGreat progress is built from small, repeated actions.

Source
Xunzi· Warring States period · Encouraging Learning
Xunzi
Why it fitsIt is a precise classical statement of compounding effort and patient progress.
Original context and translation note
故不积跬步，无以至千里；不积小流，无以成江海。

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

青，取之于蓝，而青于蓝；冰，水为之，而寒于水。

Qīng, qǔ zhī yú lán, ér qīng yú lán; bīng, shuǐ wéi zhī, ér hán yú shuǐ.

Close English reading

Blue dye comes from the indigo plant yet is bluer than indigo; ice is made from water yet colder than water.

Plain meaningA student or successor can surpass the teacher.

Source
Xunzi· Warring States period · Encouraging Learning
Xunzi
Why it fitsIts paired images explain how learning and transformation can produce something that exceeds its origin.
Original context and translation note
青，取之于蓝，而青于蓝；冰，水为之，而寒于水。

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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Xunzi4

Explore related themes

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LearningPerseveranceAmbition & successWisdomWork & leadership

Systematic teachings on learning, persistence, transformation, method, and the use of tools. This page is a curated bilingual selection, not a claim to translate the complete source.

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