Li Lou II · Passage 14 / 33 · 孟子 4B.14
Mencius 4B.14: deep learning aims at getting it
Mencius treats learning as something to be gotten within oneself. Only what is inwardly possessed can be calmly inhabited, deeply relied upon.
孟子曰：「君子深造之以道，欲其自得之也。自得之則居之安，居之安則資之深，資之深則取之左右逢其原。故君子欲其自得之也。」
Mencius said, 'The superior man makes his advances in what he is learning with deep earnestness and by the proper course, wishing to get hold of it as in himself. Having got hold of it in himself, he abides in it calmly and firmly. Abiding in it calmly and firmly, he reposes a deep reliance on it. Reposing a deep reliance on it, he seizes it on the left and right, meeting everywhere with it as a fountain from which things flow. It is on this account that the superior man wishes to get hold of what he is learning as in himself.'
Priority note
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Central question
Why does Mencius say that the superior person studies in order to get it within himself?
Direct answer
Because knowledge that never enters the structure of the self can be remembered for a moment but not stably used. Once inwardly possessed, it becomes something one can abide in and draw from freely.
First principle
Learning is complete not when information enters the mind, but when principle enters character and becomes an internal source rather than an external reminder.
Why it matters
This passage strongly serves search intent around deep learning, internalization, and what it means truly to understand rather than merely repeat.
Further reading
What this passage is doing
This is passage 14 of 33 in Li Lou II. The cleanest entry point is "The superior man makes his advances in what…". In context, it works as part of Mencius's argument about seeing people clearly, ritual restraint, and governing relationships and can be read alongside Human nature.
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Li Lou II offers concrete judgments about seeing people, handling relationships, and the discipline of ritual.
Related principles
Citation note
Do not read 'meeting the source everywhere' as social adaptability or slickness. Mencius means that deep possession of principle makes many situations lead back to one root.