📖 Meaning
Let those who are capable be your teacher. The idiom expresses the principle that one should learn from whoever has the skill or knowledge, regardless of their age, status, or background. It emphasizes humility and pragmatism in the pursuit of learning.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Confucian classic 'Book of Rites' (《礼记》), specifically the chapter 'Record of Learning' (《学记》), which dates back to the Warring States period and early Han dynasty. The original passage states that one who can broadly instruct and enlighten others is qualified to be a teacher. Over time, the idea was distilled into the concise phrase '能者为师', shifting the emphasis from the teacher's qualifications to the learner's willingness to seek knowledge from anyone competent. The concept aligns with Confucius's own teaching philosophy, as he famously learned from various masters regardless of their social standing.
💡 Example Usage
学习技能时，我们要有能者为师的心态，不耻下问。
When learning new skills, we should adopt the mindset of taking whoever is capable as our teacher and never feel ashamed to ask those below us.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 能者为师
- Pinyin: néng zhě wéi shī
- Literal Translation: able, person, act as, teacher
- Category: Learning
- Characters: 4