Di Zi Gui Chapter 7：余力学文

The final chapter!!

余力学文

'Wen' refers to the benefits of learning the six arts of ancient China, and to the learnings beyond that. If you have extra time or energy you should learn beyond the six arts of ancient china (rites, music, archery, chariot riding, reading and writing, and arithmetic).

不力行但学文

长浮华成何人

If a student struggles to practice, studies mechanically, easily forms the habit of showy characteristics, he/she cannot become a truly useful person.

但力行不学文

任己见昧理真

If one only knows strong conduct, has stubborn opinions, doesn't study readings or writings, then one cannot understand principles, and cannot distinguish between true and false, or rights and wrongs.

读书法有三到

心眼口信皆要

There are three points to reading a book: heart, eyes, and mouth. The heart must remember, the mouth must read aloud, and the eyes must see. These three things are truly very important.

方读此勿慕彼

此未终彼勿起

When one is reading a book, don't go wanting to read another. When the book one is reading is still unread, don't go read another. When reading a book, one should be single minded in order to achieve.

宽为限紧用功

工夫到滞塞通

When setting time limits for studying, allow ample time, but when studying make the most of the time. When one encounters obstacles, or areas one doesn't understand, they will become clear.

心有疑随札记

就人问求确义

When reading, if one's heart has a question, one should immediately write it down. That way one can seek advice from other people and seek an accurate meaning.

房室清墙壁净

几案洁笔砚正

One's house should be tidy and orderly, the walls should be kept clean. The tables should be kept clear, the ink pen and ink pot should be placed straight.

墨磨偏心不端

字不敬心先病

If you rub the ink unevenly, it proves one's heart is not right. If ones words are illegible and sloppy, not neat, it proves one isn't concentrating, and one's heart isn't fixed. One should study wholeheartedly.

列典籍有定处

读看毕还原处

Ancient books should have a stable/set place. When one is finished reading a book, one should put it back in the same place, so it is easy to look for next time.

虽有急卷束齐

有缺坏就补之

People who read books like to cherish them. Even if there is a crisis and one doesn't read, one should make sure the book is ok. If one discovers a book is damaged, one should immediately repair it.

非圣书屏勿视

蔽聪明坏心志

One should read more saintly writings. One should avoid reading useless books and periodicals because the books may not have legitimate information. They can deceive people's intelligence, and corrupt people's wills and intentions.

勿自暴勿自弃

圣与贤可驯致

Don't give up on oneself and don't abuse oneself. A person who cannot know self respect, can be willing to go to the bad. Saintly and virtuous levels, can be achieved gradually if one studies hard.