繕性

繕性

1. (literary) to cultivate one's nature

   • 繕性於俗學，以求復其初，滑欲於俗思，以求致其明，謂之蔽蒙之民。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     缮性于俗学，以求复其初，滑欲于俗思，以求致其明，谓之蔽蒙之民。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Zhuangzi, circa 3^rd – 2^nd centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

     Shànxìng yú súxué, yǐ qiú fù qí chū, gǔyù yú súsī, yǐ qiú zhì qí míng, wèi zhī bìméng zhī mín. [Pinyin]

     Those who would correct their nature by means of the vulgar learning, seeking to restore it to its original condition, and those who would regulate their desires, by the vulgar ways of thinking, seeking thereby to carry their intelligence to perfection, must be pronounced to be deluded and ignorant people.