Confucius remarked, "A wise and good man, in matters of food, should never seek to indulge his appetite; in lodging, he should not be too solicitous of comfort. He should be diligent in business and careful in speech. He should seek for the company of men of virtue and learning, in order to profit by their lessons and example. In this way he may become a man of real culture."

The Master said, "The gentleman seeks neither a full belly nor a comfortable home. He is quick in action but cautious in speech. He goes to men possessed of the Way to have himself put right. Such a man can be described as eager to learn."

The Master said, "A gentleman who never goes on eating till he is sated, who does not demand comfort in his home, who is diligent in business and cautious in speech, who associates with those that possess the Way and thereby corrects his own faults — such a one may indeed be said to have a taste for learning."

The Master said: "In eating, exemplary persons (junzi 君子) do not look for a full stomach, nor in their lodgings for comfort and contentment. They are persons of action yet is cautious in what they say. They repair to those who know the way (dao 道), and find improvement in their company. Such persons can indeed be said to have a love of learning (haoxue 好学)."

Chee says, the honorable man, eating, seeks not fullness; resting, seeks not enjoyment: he is diligent in business, and attentive to his word, that he may duly regulate his course. This may be termed true learning.