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Wang Yangming quotes on knowledge

5 verified English passages where Wang Yangming’ s thought meets questions of knowledge.

Wang Yangming on knowledge

Wang Yangming (1472–1529) approaches knowledge within Neo-Confucianism. Mind is principle; seeking principle only in external books misses the moral mind. Liangzhi is innate clear knowing that should be extended to all affairs. On this page, the archive isolates English passages where that project meets knowledge most directly—useful for searches such as “wang yangming quotes on knowledge.”

How to use this page

Start with the shortest passage, then compare tone across sources. Return to the Wang Yangming thinker page for biography and to the knowledge theme for other voices on the same question.

Frequently asked

What did Wang Yangming say about knowledge?

The quotations below are the archive’s curated answer: English renderings selected for clarity and attribution, not a complete corpus.

Where else should I read after wang yangming on knowledge?

Related themes: Self , Freedom , Nature , Reason , Life , Wisdom .

  1. Knowledge is the directing idea of action; action is the effort of knowledge. Knowledge is the beginning of action; action is the completion of knowledge.
  2. There has never been one who truly knows and yet does not act. If one knows but does not act, that is simply not yet knowing.
  3. Extend the innate good knowing.
  4. That little bit of innate knowing of yours is your own criterion.
  5. Knowing is the beginning of acting; acting is the completion of knowing.