English language bookstores have a 'Self-Improvement' or an 'Inspirational' section.
The Chinese language section in my local bookstore instead uses to therm 修养励志.
A literal translation is 'self-improvement' and
'inspirational'.
But there's a deeper meaning here.
/1
The Chinese language section in my local bookstore instead uses to therm 修养励志.
A literal translation is 'self-improvement' and
'inspirational'.
But there's a deeper meaning here.
/1
修养 is translated as 'self-improvement'.
But it also means self-cultivation.
In the sense of cultivating crops.
A term that at once hints at the deep role agriculture played in the development of China, AND the Chinese approach to self-improvement.
/2
But it also means self-cultivation.
In the sense of cultivating crops.
A term that at once hints at the deep role agriculture played in the development of China, AND the Chinese approach to self-improvement.
/2
To whit:
It is not a one-and-done deal.
Like a farmer tending to his crops, you have to constantly practice the qualities you want to develop.
As a bountiful yield from the harvest allows the farmer to expand his farm, so cultivation grows your capacity and resources.
/3
It is not a one-and-done deal.
Like a farmer tending to his crops, you have to constantly practice the qualities you want to develop.
As a bountiful yield from the harvest allows the farmer to expand his farm, so cultivation grows your capacity and resources.
/3
There is no end.
There is no state of perfection.
The harvest is simply a higher state of development.
Once you've shown a degree of improvement, you sow the seeds of self-improvement again and continue to cultivate.
You know what this reminds me of?
/4
There is no state of perfection.
The harvest is simply a higher state of development.
Once you've shown a degree of improvement, you sow the seeds of self-improvement again and continue to cultivate.
You know what this reminds me of?
/4
Gongfu.
Martial arts.
A journey to perfection and enlightenment without end.
A journey of constant practice.
A journey of constant cultivation.
Related: this rant about the meaning of wuxia, xianxia, and cultivation.
threadreaderapp.com/thread/1291933…
/5
Martial arts.
A journey to perfection and enlightenment without end.
A journey of constant practice.
A journey of constant cultivation.
Related: this rant about the meaning of wuxia, xianxia, and cultivation.
threadreaderapp.com/thread/1291933…
/5
What else does 修养 stand for?
Accomplishment, mastery, training -- which you only achieve through endless cultivation and dedicated training.
Morality, integrity, the quality of a person's character -- values that must be learned and cultivated over time.
/6
Accomplishment, mastery, training -- which you only achieve through endless cultivation and dedicated training.
Morality, integrity, the quality of a person's character -- values that must be learned and cultivated over time.
/6
修养 thus conveys the following:
Mastery and morality through self-cultivation.
To become a superior, integrated and holistic individual.
Now keep this in mind as we move on to the next two years.
/7
Mastery and morality through self-cultivation.
To become a superior, integrated and holistic individual.
Now keep this in mind as we move on to the next two years.
/7
励志 is straightforward.
When used as a verb, it is a literary term that means to be inspirational, or to be determined to fulfill one's aspirations.
As an adjective, it means 'inspirational', 'self-help' and 'motivation'.
/8
When used as a verb, it is a literary term that means to be inspirational, or to be determined to fulfill one's aspirations.
As an adjective, it means 'inspirational', 'self-help' and 'motivation'.
/8
Why not just use 励志 for the self-help / inspirational section?
Perhaps one reason is the nature of the Chinese language.
Chinese idioms use four characters to convey complex ideas.
Chinese poetry takes advantage of the tones of spoken Chinese.
修养励志 taps into both.
/9
Perhaps one reason is the nature of the Chinese language.
Chinese idioms use four characters to convey complex ideas.
Chinese poetry takes advantage of the tones of spoken Chinese.
修养励志 taps into both.
/9
修养励志 has 4 characters, made up of 2 terms with related meanings.
In hanyu pinyin, it is xiū yǎng lì zhì.
The first word uses the first tone, high and flat.
The fourth word uses the fourth tone, sharp and falling.
The tone of the first word is the inverse of the last.
/10
In hanyu pinyin, it is xiū yǎng lì zhì.
The first word uses the first tone, high and flat.
The fourth word uses the fourth tone, sharp and falling.
The tone of the first word is the inverse of the last.
/10
To the Chinese ear, 修养励志 has the same meter and register as poetry.
It is not merely a phrase.
It is an imperative.
One with many readings.
/11
It is not merely a phrase.
It is an imperative.
One with many readings.
/11
One way to read it is: "self-improvement / inspiration"
Another is:
"Inspiration to self-cultivate"
And another:
"Inspiration from masters"
Another:
"Inspiration to become a master"
Which reading is right?
Yes.
/12
Another is:
"Inspiration to self-cultivate"
And another:
"Inspiration from masters"
Another:
"Inspiration to become a master"
Which reading is right?
Yes.
/12
Through the act of self-cultivation, you become a master, a superior being.
You start as a seed, watered by the master farmer. You grow, you ripen, and you become the farmer.
You sow seeds, you tend to them, and raise them.
In cultivating yourself, you cultivate others.
/13
You start as a seed, watered by the master farmer. You grow, you ripen, and you become the farmer.
You sow seeds, you tend to them, and raise them.
In cultivating yourself, you cultivate others.
/13
This, then, is how you should approach self-improvement.
Not just to improve yourself, but to CULTIVATE yourself.
Everything you do touches everyone around you.
As you become better, stronger and healthier, people respond to that.
Elevate them too.
/14
Not just to improve yourself, but to CULTIVATE yourself.
Everything you do touches everyone around you.
As you become better, stronger and healthier, people respond to that.
Elevate them too.
/14
Cultivation of a crop bears a great harvest, the harvest bears the seeds for a greater crop, and the farm as a whole grows larger.
In the same fashion, do not simply think of yourself when seeking to improve yourself.
/15
In the same fashion, do not simply think of yourself when seeking to improve yourself.
/15
Be inspired by a master.
Become a master.
Inspire others.
Once you have received the flame, become a light unto the darkness and pass it on.
Keep the great cycle going.
This is what it means to self-cultivate:
In cultivating yourself, you cultivate everyone.
/end
Become a master.
Inspire others.
Once you have received the flame, become a light unto the darkness and pass it on.
Keep the great cycle going.
This is what it means to self-cultivate:
In cultivating yourself, you cultivate everyone.
/end
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
