Analects 2.4 · Wei Zheng
“At fifteen, I set my heart upon learning.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
吾十有五而志于學 (wú shí yòu wǔ ér zhì yú xué) means “At fifteen, I set my heart upon learning.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 2 (Wei Zheng), Chapter 4.
吾十有五而志于學
- Pinyin
- wú shí yòu wǔ ér zhì yú xué
- Translation
- At fifteen, I set my heart upon learning.
- Source
- Analects, Book 2 (Wei Zheng), Chapter 4
What does this passage mean?
This passage from Wei Zheng opens Confucius’s famous review of his life. Fifteen marks the age at which he consciously set a direction for himself through learning. Though poor in childhood, he possessed a strong passion for study, and that commitment became a lifelong journey. The reflection continues as one statement across the next several sayings.
How can we apply it today?
For a modern reader, setting one’s heart on learning at fifteen may suggest choosing a direction early. More important, however, is the act of choosing a direction at all. At any age, we can consciously decide how our life should proceed. A life carried along by circumstances and a life lived with direction may occupy the same span of time yet arrive at very different places.
Questions to reflect on
- ·When did you first think seriously about the direction of your life?
- ·What is your present purpose?
- ·Do you feel that you are being carried along without a clear direction?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 吾 | wú | I; me | 7 | 口 (mouth) |
| 十 | shí | ten | 2 | 十 (ten) |
| 有 | yòu | and | 6 | 月 (moon) |
| 五 | wǔ | five | 4 | 二 (two) |
| 而 | ér | and; but | 6 | 而 (and) |
| 志 | zhì | intention | 7 | 心 (heart) |
| 于 | yú | at; in | 3 | 二 (two) |
| 學 | xué | learn | 16 | 子 (child) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “At fifteen, I set my heart upon learning” mean?
吾十有五而志于學 (wú shí yòu wǔ ér zhì yú xué) means “At fifteen, I set my heart upon learning.” It comes from the Analects, Book 2 (Wei Zheng), Chapter 4.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 2.4: Book 2 (Wei Zheng), Chapter 4.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
For a modern reader, setting one’s heart on learning at fifteen may suggest choosing a direction early.More important, however, is the act of choosing a direction at all.