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Essay / How to Become a Gentleman
Acquiring knowledge on various issues is an integral part of human existence. Learning helps us make sense of the world. In Hsun Tzu's "Encouraging Learning", he gives various metaphors on how education can transform human beings into virtuous creatures. Education also determines the paths many of us take in life, and if we want to live fully, we can never stop learning. Through his writings, Tzu was able to shape an entire aspect of history. He gave different analogies describing how learning could change perspectives and improve the human race in general. A gentleman, according to him, is anyone who seeks education for his betterment and uses it to do good. As the gentleman says: “Learning never stops” (Tzu 1). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay There are different perspectives that one can consider to become a gentleman, and one of them is to be a student and study. The results we achieve in life are primarily the result of our actions. The harder you work, the more you succeed. We might consider Student “A,” for example, someone who is well-motivated, focused, and devotes time and effort not only to learning, but also to mastering the content they acquire. Then there is the below average student, someone who simply chooses to put no effort into their studies. “Success is never giving up” (Tzu 2). Their grades could be seen as a direct reflection of their hard work. According to Tzu, the study is more valuable than previously thought (1). It continually fills your knowledge base, giving you insight and purpose day after day. Education provides a sense of right and wrong, allowing people to live well with each other and shape their lives. It is very difficult to distinguish someone with a good education from someone who has none at all or from someone who does not like to learn. Gathering the correct content through study and self-examination enables one to “have clear wisdom and faultless conduct” (Tzu 1). Knowledge is like food for the mind, body and soul. It builds virtue and character and separates us from every other person in the world. Bad company corrupts good morals. It's an old saying that most people would consider true. Friendship is part of human existence since no one can achieve it alone. The gentleman chooses well-bred men as friends and chooses his environment carefully, according to Tzu (2). Everyone needs healthy relationships to be able to bond and share ideas and even for health reasons like stress reduction. Our friends show the kind of people we are; Most of us make friends with people who share common interests. Tzu uses the analogy of a bird that builds its nest on reeds but loses it when the wind blows because the reeds are not strong enough to hold it (1). Just like the bird, we can build our life according to what we want, with all the right goals and a vision of where we want to be, but our friends can destroy it. Psychologically, surrounding yourself with positive energy determines how motivated you are and how quickly you achieve your goals. A certain orchid root is used in making a perfume called "chih", but if the root grew in a vile substance, the perfume would not be attractive (Tzu 2). We all need an environment. 15-23