Learning is the bow, while competence is the arrow.

This quotation comes from Xu Shi Pin (Sequel to Discourses on Poetry) by Yuan Mei (1716-1797), a poet and critic of the Qing Dynasty. With this, Yuan meant that the foundation of learning is like a bow, while competence is like an arrow; only with rich knowledge can one give full play to one's competence and hit the target.

One needs to acquire extensive knowledge to better fulfill assignments, as knowledge will directly influence one's understanding of other's works and the quality of the works of one's own.

When speaking to outstanding young representatives from all walks of life in May 2013, Xi Jinping pointed out, "The qualities and competence of young people will have a direct influence on the course of realizing the Chinese Dream. There is an ancient Chinese saying, 'Learning is the bow, while competence is the arrow.' This means that the foundation of learning is like a bow, while competence is like an arrow; only with rich knowledge can one give full play to one's competence. Young people are in the prime time of learning. You should regard learning as a top priority, a responsibility, a moral support and a lifestyle. You should establish a conviction that dreams start from learning and career success depends on competence. You should make assiduous learning a driving force and competence building a resource for your youthful endeavors."

學(xué)如弓弩，才如箭鏃

“學(xué)如弓弩，才如箭鏃”，出自清代詩論家袁枚的《續(xù)詩品·尚識(shí)》，大意是學(xué)識(shí)像弓弩，才能如箭頭，學(xué)識(shí)決定才能，正如弓弩引導(dǎo)箭頭射出，才會(huì)命中靶心。無論閱讀別人的作品，還是自己從事創(chuàng)作，學(xué)識(shí)的高低與深淺，都會(huì)直接影響到欣賞水平或創(chuàng)作效果。因此，我們?cè)谌粘W(xué)習(xí)中，也需要錘煉出扎實(shí)豐厚的學(xué)識(shí)，這樣才能更好地利用自己的才干完成工作目標(biāo)。

2013年5月，習(xí)近平在同各界優(yōu)秀青年代表座談時(shí)的講話中指出，“青年的素質(zhì)和本領(lǐng)直接影響著實(shí)現(xiàn)中國夢(mèng)的進(jìn)程。古人說：‘學(xué)如弓弩，才如箭鏃?！f的是學(xué)問的根基就好比是弓弩，才能就好比是箭頭，只要依靠厚實(shí)的見識(shí)來引導(dǎo)，就可以讓才能更好地發(fā)揮作用。青年人正處于學(xué)習(xí)的黃金時(shí)期，應(yīng)該把學(xué)習(xí)作為首要任務(wù)，作為一種責(zé)任、一種精神追求、一種生活方式，樹立夢(mèng)想從學(xué)習(xí)開始、事業(yè)靠本領(lǐng)成就的觀念，讓勤奮學(xué)習(xí)成為青春遠(yuǎn)航的動(dòng)力，讓增長本領(lǐng)成為青春搏擊的能量。”