Chapter 31 "Scavenger Collection" - (71-80)

seven one Obscure periods in history are especially good subjects for scholars.They labored painstakingly to bring order to the jumbled and contradictory original records.Because of this, the major distinctions are buried deep under tedious details.Other On the one hand, the analysis of destruction undertaken by the abstract "reason" does not understand the contradictory unity relationship between the facts and concepts of ancient things in the original materials. seven two Erudite textual research can certainly show its talents to ancient materials, and rationalized imagination can turn simple historical materials into rich and official historical events, but where people know the least, people can often show off their knowledge the most.Han Changli said: "The words of the ancient sages, their purpose is subtle; the annotations are mixed, and the right and wrong are reversed."

seven three If the opposition to practical problems does not go straight to the heart of the problem, but only uses profound knowledge as a weapon to specifically attack abstract principles, the result will not arouse the interest of the general public.The understanding of the masses is based on imagination, emotions are fueled by imagination, and hope is inspired by imagination. seven four Reading the different opinions and thoughts of others has the advantage of stimulating the mind and bringing forth many good thoughts, but it is other opinions, the same or opposite, rather than the truth.Only contemplation can conquer opinions and express insights.

seven five Learn and extract ideas, assumptions, principles, premises, refutations, etc. that are useful to you from various schools of thought, but most importantly, you must translate them into your own language.Drawing on the principles of the predecessors is for our own practice.In my own practice, The principles of the predecessors have been reworked.Therefore, don't claim to be a teacher from a certain family. In fact, it is impossible to truly be a teacher. seven six To be successful in any spiritual work requires not only time and effort but also courage and wisdom.Wisdom has seen it, but it has the courage to speak out. "Courage in the pursuit of truth and certainty in the power of the mind are the chief qualities of the thinker." (Hegel)

Without this quality, not only will you waver in the middle, but you will also have doubts about the reason you are pursuing, you can't believe it, and you don't have the courage to persist and fight. seven seven A book wants me to find my own readers, and it is best to throw myself into the sea of ​​the masses. If I try to persuade people in my limited circle, it is a sad and ineffective thing. seven eight The real value of an academic work lies in its artistic combination of ordinary narrative elements and dignified speculation.It not only gives people a lot of knowledge, but also gives people a deep and innocent pleasure.

seven nine A kind of theory, the cold reception and resonance that a book gets when it appears, depends on the needs of reality and the support of people's hearts. eighty There are no bad books, only bad books.A book plays a bad role in life, not because the book itself is good or bad, but the bad aspects of life itself are extended from the book.Indoctrination and dogmatism attribute the cause of bad effects to books, and to The responsibility of the book, this is a misunderstanding. "Because the book is bad, human learning is bad." This is the logic of Guan Fu's theory.In fact, books are like fire, which can be used or set on fire. The problem is where to put the fire. It will go out when it enters the water, and dry wood will burn.