Seeing Greater Horizons
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
孟子曰：“孔子登东山而小鲁，登泰山而小天下。
English translation
Mencius said, “When Confucius climbed Mount Dong, the state of Lu seemed small; when he climbed Mount Tai, the whole realm seemed small.”
Original Chinese text
故观于海者难为水；游于圣人之门者难为言。
English translation
“Thus, one who has seen the sea finds it hard to be impressed by other waters; one who has studied at the gate of a sage finds it hard to be impressed by ordinary teachings.”
Original Chinese text
观水有术，必观其澜。日月有明，容光必照焉。
English translation
“There is a way to observe water: one must look at its waves. The sun and moon shine, and wherever light can enter, they illuminate.”
Original Chinese text
流水之为物也，不盈科不行；君子之志于道也，不成章不达。”
English translation
“The nature of flowing water is that it does not move on until it fills each hollow. A noble person devoted to the Way likewise does not reach understanding until the pattern of cultivation has taken shape.”