The Book of Odes (Book of Poetry) says:
“Look at the bend of the Qi River – lush green bamboo grows thick and fair.
There is a refined gentleman,
like bone being cut and filed, like jade being carved and polished.
Solemn and resolute, illustrious and majestic!
Such a refined gentleman – truly unforgettable!”
“Like bone being cut and filed” refers to the pursuit of learning;
“like jade being carved and polished” refers to self-cultivation;
“solemn and resolute” describes inner reverence and caution;
“illustrious and majestic” denotes dignified bearing and awe-inspiring presence;
and “such a refined gentleman – truly unforgettable!” means that his Way is flourishing, his virtue has reached the highest good, and thus the people cannot forget him.
The Book of Odes also says:
“Ah! The former kings are never forgotten!”
Gentlemen honor their worthiness and cherish those they cherished;
common people enjoy the joys they provided and benefit from the advantages they established.
Thus, even after their passing, they remain forever in memory.
《詩》云：「瞻彼淇澳，菉竹猗猗。有斐君子，如切如磋，如琢如磨。瑟兮僩兮，赫兮喧兮。有斐君子，終不可諠兮！」
「如切如磋」者，道學也；「如琢如磨」者，自修也；「瑟兮僩兮」者，恂慄也；「赫兮喧兮」者，威儀也；「有斐君子，終不可諠兮」者，道盛德至善，民之不能忘也。
《詩》云：「於戲前王不忘！」君子賢其賢而親其親，小人樂其樂而利其利，此以沒世不忘也。
Note
This passage from The Great Learning quotes the Book of Odes (Book of Poetry, Book of Songs or Classic of Poetry) to extol the ideal Confucian gentleman and uses exegetical commentary to articulate core Confucian views on moral cultivation and political legacy.
First, the metaphors of “cutting, filing, carving, and polishing” illustrate that the gentleman’s development is a continuous process – pursuing learning and refining virtue with the meticulous care of a craftsman shaping bone or jade.
Second, “solemn and resolute” reflects inner reverence and moral vigilance, while “illustrious and majestic” denotes outward dignity and ritual decorum. Together, they embody the Confucian ideal of integrated inner-outer cultivation: sincerity within, propriety without.
Ultimately, the gentleman is “truly unforgettable” not because of power or status, but because his virtue has reached its fullest expression – the “highest good” (highest excellence). Such moral perfection naturally wins the people’s hearts and ensures lasting remembrance.
The subsequent reference to “the former kings are never forgotten” deepens this idea: great rulers like Kings Wen and Wu of Zhou are remembered not for their glory alone, but for establishing institutions and benevolent governance that benefited all. Gentlemen emulate their virtue; commoners enjoy the peace and prosperity they created. This forms a transgenerational moral community. Thus, the passage resonates with The Great Learning’s ultimate aim: self-cultivation is not an end in itself but a means to transform society and achieve enduring moral influence – true immortality through virtue.
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