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Strive Continuously to Strengthen Oneself

The term means that one should strive continuously to strengthen himself. Ancient Chinese believed that heavenly bodies move in accordance with their own nature in a vigorous and forever forward-going cycle. A man of virtue, who follows the law of heaven, should be fully motivated and work diligently to strengthen himself. This is the Chinese view on governance and self development, established with reference to the movement of heavenly bodies. Together with the notion that a true gentleman has ample virtue and carries all things, it constitutes the fundamental trait of the Chinese nation.

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1
Just as heaven keeps moving forward vigorously, a man of virtue should strive continuously to strengthen himself.
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2
Neither monarchs, ministers, nor commoners have ever achieved great accomplishments in the world without first striving to strengthen themselves.
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3
Facing hostile countries, we must first of all strive to become strong. If we have strengthened ourselves, enemy states will fear us and we will not fear them.
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