Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Five Ways of Teaching

Mencius said, 'A gentleman teaches in five ways. The first is by a transforming influence like that of timely rain. The second is by helping the student to realize his virtue to the full. The third is by helping him to develop his talent. The fourth is by answering his questions. And the fifth is by setting an example others not in contact with him can emulate. These five are the ways in which a gentleman teaches.'


Mencius Book VII, Part A, section 40. D. C. Lau, tr. Penguin (NY: 1970) p. 191.