Admonition of Xiangtan University

Extensive Study and Earnest Practice; Daily Renovation and Abundance of Virtue

"Extensive study and earnest practice" was first found in the Book of Rites (the Doctrine of the Mean) whereas "Virtue" was quoted from The I Ching (also known as the Classic of Changes or Book of Changes in English). The Doctrine of the Mean depicts "To this attainment there are requisite the extensive study of what is good, accurate inquiry about it, careful reflection on it, the clear discrimination of it, and the earnest practice of it". Therefore, the motto beginning with "extensive study and earnest practice" is of great significance to advise and encourage students to study.

As Xi Ci (Book of Changes) says, "Its rich possessions is what is intended by 'the greatness of its stores;' the daily renovation which it produces is what is meant by 'the abundance of its virtue.'"

Complete personality relies on profound science and humanities, abundant virtue and the greatness of its stores. The abundance of virtue is a state that needs to be accumulated and persists daily renovation and unswerving creation.

The motto of "Extensive Study and Earnest Practice; Daily Renovation and Abundance of Virtue", taking factors indispensable to college education such as knowledge, action, love, affection and virtue into consideration, not only embodies the inheritance of historical traditions, but also manifests the embracing of the future.