法苑珠林 54.72

54.72

說苑曰。晉平公問師曠曰。吾年七十欲學。恐已暮矣。對曰。暮何不秉燭乎。臣聞少而學者如日出之陽。壯而學者如日中之光。老而學者如秉燭之明。秉燭之明孰與昧行。平公曰。善哉。

The Shuo yuan says: "Duke Ping of Jin asked Shi Kuang, saying: 'I am seventy years old and wish to study, but I fear it is already evening.' He replied, saying: 'In the evening, why not hold a torch? Your servant has heard: learning when young is like the sunshine at daybreak; learning when in one's prime is like the light at midday; learning when old is like the illumination of holding a torch. Between the illumination of holding a torch and walking in the dark, which is better?' Duke Ping said: 'Well said!'"