1001Philosophers

Zhu Xi Quotes on Knowledge

Zhu Xi was a Chinese philosopher and the most influential exponent of Neo-Confucianism. This page collects quotes attributed to Zhu Xi on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.

Quotes

  • Attributed to Zhu Xi:

    “When you read, do not seek to discover anything in the books beyond what is in the books.”

  • Attributed to Zhu Xi:

    “The investigation of things is the foundation of learning.”

  • Attributed to Zhu Xi:

    “All things in the world have principle, and the investigation of principle must extend to every individual thing.”

  • Attributed to Zhu Xi:

    “Without learning, even a man of high natural endowment cannot become a sage.”