Hermann Hesse, How to Read World Literature Chapter 1: What is True Upbringing?

‬真正的教养并非是为某些目的而努力以赴的教养，它与一切以完美为目标的奋斗一样，本身即具有意义。 The effort to enhance physical strength, agility, and beauty does not necessarily make us rich, famous, or strong. But it enhances our interest and self-confidence in life, makes us feel happier and happier, and gives us peace and health in our hearts, so that it alone is what we have gained. - Hermann Hesse's Collected Works

Although, at this time, I can't help but think,

If Socrates were still there, would he ask, "Is that what you call parenting?" So, in this case, someone would..." Such a question?

But the core of my concern is not really this, but, what is parenting? I have only known for the time being that "true upbringing is not education that strives for some utilitarian purpose."

‬“教养”，亦即以精神上之圆满为目标的努力，并不是通往某些有限目标的崎岖道路，但却能激励我们，愉悦我们，扩大我们的意识范围，增加我们生活与幸福的可能性。

Therefore, true upbringing, like real sports, is practice and stimulation, and can achieve the goal from any direction, but no place can stop. True upbringing exists on any journey in the infinite world, breathing and vibrating with the universe, oscillating in a world beyond time, its goal is not to improve people's abilities and achievements, true upbringing will help us to give meaning to life, explain the past, and face the future with a fearless heart. - Hermann Hesse's Collected Works

To tell the truth, although reading this, I feel deeply confused.

(Of course, it may just be a misjudgment of my intuition...) ）

But, at the same time, there is great joy. ——

Someone is working for the consummation of the spirit.

After half a day, the only thing that flows in the soul for a long time is the two words "transcendence"—breaking free from the shackles of fate.

Withdraw my thoughts of chewing on the words, and read down:

‬在臻及此一教养的各类途径中，最重要的途径之一就是研究世界文学。 The study of world literature allows us to slowly draw us closer to the poets and thinkers of many nationalities, who have left behind an extremely rich treasure in their writings—ideas, experiences, symbols, fantasies, and ideals. The road is endless, and no one can reach the end. The literature of a great cultural nation alone cannot be fully studied and mastered in its entire treasure, let alone the whole literature of all mankind.

But to know and appreciate the writings of a great thinker or poet is in itself a fulfillment and an experience of happiness—not the knowledge of death, but the experience of living consciousness and understanding. Try to read as much as possible, and more importantly, freely, according to the will of the individual, choose the masterpieces that we can indulge in in our free time, in order to understand the vastness and abundance of human thoughts and desires; to have a colorful resonance with the life and vibration of the whole human being, which is the meaning of all life, and life is not just to meet practical needs. --Hermann Hesse

People who are knowledgeable in thought are as many as cattle hair, and my shallow thinking is like ants. - The sense of reality in this paragraph.

nevertheless! But I still have to say, what is life? It doesn't have to be done according to the logic of the author. ——

Just like the four "loyalty and filial piety and righteousness" cannot be demanded.

Of course, here I just want to flesh out a concept through the author's words: "Reading and understanding is itself a meaning of life." ”

(The definition of meaning is up to you.) ）

Retract the meditation and continue with the following:

‬可是，读书绝非只是为了使我们“心情愉快”，而是应该集中心神来读。 Reading is not to pass the boring life, to numb ourselves with external comfort, but to help us gradually improve and enrich our lives.

The choice to approach world literature varies from person to person, not only by the time and money spent by the reader for this noble desire, but also by various other factors: for someone, perhaps Plato is the philosopher he admires most, and Homer is his favorite poet, and Plato and Homer are the centers of gravity of all literature, and they can organize and criticize everything else; but for another reader, the literary center of gravity he chooses may be another name. Some people have the ability to appreciate works of noble poetry, but also to understand the brilliant fantasy games and the music composed of vivid language; others may be obsessed with more serious intellectual works. Some attach particular importance to works in their native language, and do not even look at the works of any other country; others have a particular preference for French, Greek or Russian writers.

In addition, there are factors that should be taken into account, even the most learned people know at best only a few Chinese, and the important works of other eras and peoples may not be fully translated into German, let alone many literary works cannot be translated at all. True lyric poetry, not only has the structure of brisk verses and beautiful rich content, even the language and verse itself have meaning, the music of creative language is also a symbol of the world and the phenomenon of life. Such lyric poetry, whose language is often irreplaceable, is connected to the poet's native language, and is closely related to his peculiar poet's language, and therefore cannot be translated.

The noblest and noblest literature—think of the poetry of the Provencal bard—is often accessible and understood by only a few. Because the language used in these literary works has decayed with their culture, it can only be reproduced by relying on loving academic research. We Germans are fortunate to be free to read many wonderful and rich treasures translated from foreign Chinese and S.

--Hermann Hesse

Important: Reading is not only to please yourself, but more importantly, to enrich your thoughts.

Reading this, the biggest gain:

One: Reading certain works should be read aloud.

Second: Know that some concepts may have environmental differences and era differences.

Three: the use of a reasonable structure helps to enhance understanding.

Four: The world outside is big.

Fifth: The written record of most of the world's great powers.

……

‬读者阅读世界文学，最重要的就是能够先认识自己，进而认识对自己有特别作用的作品。 There is no need to follow any pattern or outline, we must take the road of love, not the road of obligation, if only because a book is very famous, do not know that it is a shame, and force ourselves to read, it is a big mistake, all people should start from the most suitable place for themselves to read, recognize, and enjoy themselves.

Some people have found themselves in their early years as students with a particular preference for beautiful verses; some have a preference for history or vernacular legends; some like folk songs; others study their emotions so carefully and explain them with excellent intellect, and they must find reading fascinating and pleasing.

There are countless directions on the road to reading, starting from school textbooks and calendars, and ending with Shakespeare, Goethe, or Confucius. We should all give up on works that others recommend us, works that we want to read but cannot attract interest, works that are contrary to our own intentions and cannot be integrated into them, and we do not have to read them reluctantly and patiently. So, don't overly encourage children or people who are too young to read books in a certain range. Otherwise, young people will hate exquisite works for life, and even hate reading. Everyone can read any work of literature, poetry, reporting, or investigation as they please, and they can constantly seek similar works from then on.

Premised on all of the above, we can begin to read. The venerable and lovely temple of world literature, open to everyone who strives, is not a problem, and we need not be surprised by the richness of the treasures in them. Some people have only read 12 books in their lifetime and are still real readers. There are also people who go through many works and can express their opinions on anything in a straightforward manner, but the efforts of these people are in vain, because the so-called upbringing must be premised on something that can be cultivated, and character and personality belong to it. Without these, if parenting has no substance and takes place only in the void, then knowledge may be acquired, but love and life must not be produced. Reading without love, knowledge without respect, and nurturing without heart is one of the greatest sins of the wounded spirit.

Up to this point, I was constantly wondering to myself, had I ever been on a show?

So, after reading an article, how can you really enrich yourself? This became one of my most important practical issues at the moment.

One: Record the text in your heart.

Two: Think about why the author says this.

Three: Think about the accuracy of the meaning of words.

Fourth: Think about the meaning and role of the author's thoughts.

Five: Find out the emotions contained in the text.

- Temporary answers to questions.

Retract your mind and ask yourself how you feel after reading it?

Impetuous utilitarian blind mind,

Instantly enlightened.

The vast universe of ideas,

Sudden peace.

I ask for my love is the smooth way,

It is natural to release oneself,

Unknown is not important,

Constant transcendence is this life.

- Soaring into the sky.

At the end of this sentence, I only came up with seven words: be yourself, be yourself...

- The above is only for the first half of the first chapter of "How to Read World Literature"...