諺語 · a single proverb
博學篤志
Simplified: 博学笃志
What does 博學篤志 (bó xué dǔ zhì) mean?
博學篤志 (bó xué dǔ zhì) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "broad learning, steadfast aspiration." In use it means: Study broadly and hold to one's purpose firmly; wide knowledge with focused intention. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Wood note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dragon.
Literally: "broad learning, steadfast aspiration."
The reading
The tree with wide roots and a single trunk upright: this is the form of a mind that reads everything and still knows what it is about. Breadth without direction becomes noise, and direction without breadth becomes narrowness. The combination is what produces someone the world actually needs to hear from.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Analects of Confucius 論語·子張 (Zǐ Zhāng XIX)
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Wisdom & Learning, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dragon, Year of the Frog, and Year of the Rat.
Questions
Is 博學篤志 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 博學篤志 (bó xué dǔ zhì) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Analects of Confucius 論語·子張 (Zǐ Zhāng XIX). It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 博學篤志?
In Mandarin it is bó xué dǔ zhì. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 博學篤志 aloud in Mandarin.