Today, I would try to interpret the above analect which is part of the topic "Making the Will Sincere".
The first two steps in the development of the superior man talks about gaining knowledge and applying it to a person's life. The third step of the development of the superior man strengthens the first two. It drives the two to work. In the anlect, Tzu-hsia is saying that studying and acting must not be just for nothing. The person is eager to study because of something that he has been longing for. Meaning there must be a reason in which he is doing such things. Having a reason on it doesn't just stop there. There must be a strong conviction to the person's self. He must every now and then know and remind his self about his reason and this reason can be his goal. Setting and making clear what the person's goal is in doing what he has been doing will make him pass every trial he will face. Because he has this foundation, in which he can go back to just in case he forgets he is doing what he is been doing, he cannot be easily swayed with the different possibilities that may come in his way. This makes him steadfast in attaining his goal. The person will know that his will is already sincere when he is voluntary doing all the works and does everything just for him to get closer to the goal. His will will become sincere if his actions are saying the same without pretending. Meaning his actions are consistent, his actions are all driven to the goal. Gaining knowledge and learning from it is driven by the strong will the person has.
Over all, before doing something, the analect is trying to remind us that there must be purpose behind it. Behind this purpose is a will, a strong intention, in which it will let the person to continue in what he intends to do. Setting the will and acting on the will will make the person work and, maybe, a step closer to his goal. Making the will sincere makes him a step closer in becoming a superior man.
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