儒家: 《論語》 (公元前480年 – 公元前350年)

“The Analects of Confucius“ (480-350 BC) English translations by James Legge, or Leonard A. Lyall.

《論語》《泰伯》8.17 :

子曰：「學如不及，猶恐失之。」

The Master said, “Learn as if you could not reach your object, and were always fearing also lest you should lose it.”

【Alternative translation】The Master said, “Learn as though the time were short, like one that fears to lose.”

【現代漢語翻譯】孔子說：「學習如同賽跑，惟恐趕不上，趕上了，又怕被超過。」

【试译】孔子说：“学习唯恐学不到，学到了又唯恐忘掉。”