學而優則仕

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See also: 学而优则仕

Chinese

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learn; study; science
learn; study; science; ‑ology
 
and; as well as; but (not)
and; as well as; but (not); yet (not); (shows causal relation); (shows change of state); (shows contrast)
 
excellent; superior
(expresses contrast with a previous sentence or clause); standard; norm
(expresses contrast with a previous sentence or clause); standard; norm; rule; to imitate; to follow; then; principle
 
an official
trad. (學而優則仕)
simp. (学而优则仕)

Etymology

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From the Analects, Book 19 (《論語·子張》):

子夏:『學而優則仕。』 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
子夏:『学而优则仕。』 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐxià yuē: ‘Shì ér yōu zé xué, xué ér yōu zé shì.’ [Pinyin]
Zixia said, "The officer, having discharged all his duties, should devote his leisure to learning. The student, having completed his learning, should apply himself to be an officer."

Pronunciation

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Proverb

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學而優則仕

  1. The student, having completed his studies, should enter into government service.

Usage notes

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學而優則仕 is both a proverb and a chengyu.

Derived terms

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