study of virtue“Master”, the weary student implored, “Why is it that you stress the study and cultivation of virtue within the mind? There are those who say it is enough to lead a life of virtue, and that such a life can be achieved with-out all the study you recommend.” “Ah Ten-sing,” the Master replied, “All of life is a matter of balance. If a person loves kindness, but does not love study, their shortcomings will be ignorance. If a person loves wisdom but does not love sound ideas, their shortcomings will be having fanciful ideas. If a person loves honesty and does not love study, their shortcomings will be a tendency to spoil or upset things. If a person loves simplicity but does not love study, their shortcoming will be the sheer following of routine. If a person loves courage and does not love study, his shortcoming will be unruliness or violence. If a person loves decision of character but does not love study, their shortcoming will be self-will or headstrong belief in himself.” From The Way of Virtue – The Ancient Wisdom of Confucius by James Vollbracht
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