釋氏要覽 2.485

2.485

說苑云。晉平公問師曠曰。吾年七十欲學恐已暮矣。對曰暮何不炳燭乎。臣聞。少而學者如日出之陽。壯而學者。如日中之光。老而學者。如炳燭之明。孰與昧行乎。平公曰善哉。

The Shuoyuan says: Duke Ping of Jin asked Shi Kuang: 'I am seventy years old and wish to study, but I fear it is already late.' He answered: 'If it is late, why not light a candle? Your servant has heard: One who studies in youth is like the light of the rising sun; one who studies in prime of life is like the radiance of the midday sun; one who studies in old age is like the brightness of lighting a candle. How does that compare to walking in the dark?' Duke Ping said: 'Splendid!'