Familiar Reading and Careful Thinking | Generated by AI
Question: Provide an introduction to Zhu Xi’s “Shu Du Jing Si” (熟读精思).
Answer:
Introduction to Zhu Xi’s “熟读精思” (Shu Du Jing Si)
“熟读精思” (familiar reading and careful thinking) is one of the most famous and influential reading methods proposed by Zhu Xi (朱熹, 1130–1200), the great Southern Song dynasty Neo-Confucian philosopher, educator, and commentator on the Confucian classics.
It forms a core part of what later scholars summarized as Zhu Xi’s Six Reading Principles (朱子读书法), and is especially emphasized in works such as Zhuzi Yulei (朱子语类 — Classified Conversations of Master Zhu) and Tongmeng Xuzhi (童蒙须知 — Essentials for Beginners).
Core Meaning
- 熟读 (Shú dú): Read repeatedly until very familiar → “make its words seem as if they come from my own mouth” (使其言皆若出于吾之口).
- 精思 (Jīng sī): Think deeply and carefully → “make its meaning seem as if it comes from my own mind/heart” (使其意皆若出于吾之心).
Only when both are combined can one truly “obtain something” (有得) from the text.
Key Principles from Zhu Xi’s Own Words
大抵观书，先须熟读，使其言皆若出于吾之口；继以精思，使其意皆若出于吾之心，然后可以有得尔。
(Generally speaking, when reading books, first one must read熟熟 until the words seem to come from one’s own mouth; then follow with refined thinking until the meaning seems to come from one’s own heart/mind. Only then can one gain something.)
He also stressed the famous “Three Arrivals” (三到) when reading:
- 心到 (xīn dào) — mind/heart arrives (most important)
- 眼到 (yǎn dào) — eyes arrive
- 口到 (kǒu dào) — mouth arrives (reading aloud clearly)
Zhu Xi believed that without full concentration (especially 心到), even reading aloud many times would not lead to deep understanding or lasting memory.
Practical Steps When Facing Difficult or Conflicting Passages
When encountering doubtful passages or conflicting interpretations, Zhu Xi advised:
- Keep an open and calm mind, do not hastily choose one view.
- Temporarily treat each explanation separately and follow its logic to test where it breaks down.
- Compare different views, let them “interrogate” each other.
- Seek the most reasonable and coherent explanation.
- Proceed slowly and patiently — like attacking hard wood (start with easy parts) or untangling a knotted rope (set difficult parts aside temporarily and return later).
Why It Matters
Zhu Xi’s method counters superficial skimming or “extensive but shallow reading” (泛观博取). He believed true learning comes from depth rather than breadth at the beginning. This approach deeply influenced later Chinese education, especially in preparing for imperial examinations and studying the Four Books and Five Classics.
Even today, “熟读精思” remains a widely taught principle in Chinese language and classical studies, reminding learners to combine memorization with critical reflection.
References:
- https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E7%86%9F%E8%AF%BB%E7%B2%BE%E6%80%9D/4602104
- https://www.sohu.com/a/201078689_228930
- https://bluebean.edu.hk/zhu-xi-way-of-study