there must be one I can learn something from

Confucius was fond of studying,but he didn’t have a fixed teacher.He would learn from anyone with special knowledge at any time.When Nangong Jingshu asked him how he had become so knowledgeable,he answered,” When walking in the company of two other men,there must be one I can learn something from.I shall pick out his merits to follow,and his shortcomings for reference to overcome my own.”

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Both Meng Yizi and Nangong Jingshu attended Confucius’s school in compliance with their father’s will.But when Meng Yizi inherited his father’s official post he neglected his studies,while Nangong Jingshu was both clever and diligent.So Confucius favored the latter. 1155815.com