Analects 14.24 · Xian Wen
“People of old learned for their own cultivation; people today learn to impress others.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
古之學者爲己 今之學者爲人 (gǔ zhī xué zhě wèi jǐ, jīn zhī xué zhě wèi rén) means “People of old learned for their own cultivation; people today learn to impress others.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 14 (Xian Wen), Chapter 24.
古之學者爲己 今之學者爲人
- Pinyin
- gǔ zhī xué zhě wèi jǐ, jīn zhī xué zhě wèi rén
- Translation
- People of old learned for their own cultivation; people today learn to impress others.
- Source
- Analects, Book 14 (Xian Wen), Chapter 24
What does this passage mean?
In Xian Wen, learning for oneself is contrasted with learning for others. At first glance the old learners may seem selfish and modern learners altruistic, but the meaning is the reverse. People of old studied to cultivate themselves and perfect their character; people of Confucius’s day studied to display themselves to others and gain reputation or advancement.
How can we apply it today?
Study for credentials, certificates, or a résumé has made learning for others even more common today. The original purpose of study is personal growth, yet it easily becomes a means of proving ourselves. Genuine learning continues after the examination and persists even when nobody notices. Learning for oneself can remain joyful for life; learning for display quickly becomes exhausting.
Questions to reflect on
- ·For whom is your learning?
- ·Have you studied primarily to impress other people?
- ·What would you continue learning even if nobody ever recognized it?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 古 | gǔ | old | 5 | 口 (mouth) |
| 之 | zhī | possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
| 學 | xué | learn | 16 | 子 (child) |
| 者 | zhě | person | 8 | 老 (old) |
| 爲 | wèi | for | 12 | 爪 (claw) |
| 己 | jǐ | oneself | 3 | 己 (self) |
| 今 | jīn | now | 4 | 人 (person) |
| 之 | zhī | possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
| 學 | xué | learn | 16 | 子 (child) |
| 者 | zhě | person | 8 | 老 (old) |
| 爲 | wèi | for | 12 | 爪 (claw) |
| 人 | rén | person | 2 | 人 (person) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “People of old learned for their own…” mean?
古之學者爲己 今之學者爲人 (gǔ zhī xué zhě wèi jǐ, jīn zhī xué zhě wèi rén) means “People of old learned for their own cultivation; people today learn to impress others.” It comes from the Analects, Book 14 (Xian Wen), Chapter 24.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 14.24: Book 14 (Xian Wen), Chapter 24.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
Study for credentials, certificates, or a résumé has made learning for others even more common today.