Original text:
If you only remember what you are reading, you will get better every day. Jin Chen only reads 120 words every day, and then stops reading any books. The so-called daily plan is insufficient, and the annual plan is redundant. Whoever doesn't study today will recite thousands of words every day. If it is gratifying at first, he will forget to look at it and forget it. Although he never had 120 words at the age of one, what was the situation? The less I give, the more I want. So far, every time I read my stomach, I know that Chen is a righteous cloud.
Interpretation of vernacular:
Only by keeping it in mind when reading can you make progress gradually every day. Chen only reads more than 120 words every day, so there is no book not to read. In other words, there are not many books in a day, but many books in a year.
Now, anyone who doesn't study will recite thousands of words every day. He was very happy at first, but after reading it, he forgot that he couldn't learn much in a year, let alone a day. When I was young, I also had the problem of greed. Until now, whenever I think of my empty stomach, I know that Chen's method is right.
This article is taken from Chen Shan's "New Talk about lice" in Song Dynasty.
Extended data
Enlightenment of the article:
Don't read too much, bite off more than one can chew, read carefully and remember that many a mickle makes a mickle. Don't ask for speed, remember it in a down-to-earth manner. You can't swallow dates, otherwise it's useless.
About the author:
Chen Shan (15 14 ~ 1589) was born in Jingting, Qiantang (now Hangzhou, Zhejiang). In the twentieth year of Jiajing (154 1), he was a scholar, granted the magistrate of Shexian County, and moved to Yunnan to participate in politics. After being falsely dismissed from office, he was reinstated and became an official in Zuobuzheng, Yunnan. There are many works, such as Hangzhou annals and Qiannan Classics.