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What I mean by the 'pursuit of learning' is not the ability to read classical texts and study ancient history, but to be fully acquainted with conditions all over the world and to have a keen awareness of what is going on abroad and around us. Now from what I can see world trends and conditions are still unsettled, and as long as they remain unsettled there is still a chance that something can be done. First, therefore, we must rectify conditions in our own domain, after which conditions in other domains can be rectified. This having been done, conditions at court can be rectified and finally conditions throughout the whole world can be rectified. First one must set an example oneself and then it can be extended progressively to others. This is what I mean by the 'pursuit of learning.'

Yoshida Shoin#7

LeadershipExampleLearningReformWorld

About this quote

What does it mean?
Learning means understanding global conditions and setting an example to rectify local and world issues, not just studying texts.
In plain terms
Learning is knowing world conditions and fixing things starting from yourself.
What can you take from it?
Learn by understanding the world and leading by example.

Where it applies

  • education reform
  • policy making
  • personal growth

Putting it to work

  • study global trends
  • set example
  • fix local issues

Questions to consider

  • What does real learning look like?
  • How do you start fixing things?

Another view

Rectifying the world may be impossible without structural change.

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