法苑珠林 54.70

54.70

孫卿子曰。不登高山不知天之高也。不聞先王之道言不知學問之大。君子之學入乎耳著乎心。布乎四支形乎動靜。小人學出乎口入乎耳之間四寸。耳曷足以美七尺之軀。

Sunqingzi said: "If one does not climb a high mountain, one does not know the height of heaven; if one does not hear the words of the Way of the ancient kings, one does not know the greatness of learning. The learning of the gentleman enters through his ears, fastens in his heart, spreads throughout his four limbs, and manifests in his activity and rest. The learning of the petty person only passes through the four inches between his mouth and his ears. How could that suffice to ennoble a seven-foot body?"