In Ancient China, including during the Tang dynasty, the Song dynasty, and the Han dynasty, there was a system of examinations used to select bureaucrats. These examinations began in the Han dynasty but become a formal system only until the Song dynasty. This implied those that were part of the government were selected based on their merit rather than their social position, popularity, or family. In this context, a peasant or anyone in a low class could rise to a higher position if they obtained a high score in the Imperial examinations.
These words were captured from the writing "The Rhythm of Life" and it was written by Matthew Kelly. What was being highlighted is that person standard can be affected and defined by the people who surrounds them. People cannot be completed and fulfilled of being alone.
