At the beginning of human life, the nature of man is inherently good. Natures are similar, but habits diverge. If not taught, one's nature will change. The way of teaching values dedication.
In the past, Mencius' mother chose her neighbors carefully. When her son did not study, she cut the loom. Dou Yanshan had a righteous method. He taught his five sons, and their names were all renowned.
Raising without teaching is the father's fault. Teaching without strictness is the teacher's laziness. A child not studying is inappropriate. If one does not study as a youth, what will they do when old?
If jade is not polished, it cannot become a fine object. If people do not learn, they will not know righteousness. As a child, at a young age, one should be close to teachers and friends, and practice propriety.
Xiang at nine years old could warm the bed. Filial piety towards parents is what one should practice. Rong at four years old could yield pears. Respect for elders is what one should know first.
First comes filial piety and respect for elders, then knowledge and hearing. Know certain numbers, recognize certain texts. One becomes ten, ten becomes hundred. Hundred becomes thousand, thousand becomes ten thousand.
The three talents are heaven, earth, and man. The three lights are sun, moon, and stars. The three bonds are the righteousness between ruler and minister, the affection between father and son, and the harmony between husband and wife.
Spring and summer, autumn and winter. These four seasons revolve endlessly. South and north, west and east. These four directions correspond to the center.
Water and fire, wood and metal, earth. These five elements originate from numbers. Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. These five constants must not be disordered.
Rice, millet, soybeans, wheat, broomcorn millet, and foxtail millet. These six grains are what people eat. Horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, dogs, and pigs. These six domestic animals are what people raise.
Joy and anger, sorrow and fear. Love, hatred, and desire make up the seven emotions. Earth, leather, wood, stone, metal, silk, and bamboo make up the eight sounds.
Great-great-grandfather, great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and oneself. Oneself and children, children and grandchildren. From grandchildren to great-great-grandchildren, these are the nine generations and the relationships.
Affection between father and son, harmony between husband and wife. Brother is friendly, younger brother is respectful. Order among the young and old, friendship with peers. The ruler is respectful, the minister is loyal. These ten righteous principles are common to all people.
All education of the young must be thorough. Detailed explanations and clear sentence reading are necessary for learners. After completing primary studies, one moves on to the Four Books.
The Analects consists of twenty chapters. It records the wise sayings of Confucius and others. Mencius has seven chapters in total. It discusses morality and speaks of benevolence and righteousness.
The Doctrine of the Mean was written by Zisi. "Mean" means not deviating, and "constant" means not changing. The Great Learning was written by Zengzi. It covers self-cultivation, family regulation, state governance, and world peace.
After mastering the Classic of Filial Piety and the Four Books, one can read the Six Classics. The Book of Poetry, the Book of History, the Book of Changes, the Book of Rites, and the Spring and Autumn Annals are known as the Six Classics and should be studied.
There are Lianshan, Gui Cang, and Zhouyi, which detail the Three Yi. There are classics, models, instructions, proclamations, and mandates, which are the profound aspects of the Book of Documents.
Our Duke of Zhou wrote the Rites of Zhou. He established the six officials and preserved the system of governance. Dai the Elder and Dai the Younger annotated the Book of Rites. They narrated the words of the sages, completing the rites and music.
There are Guofeng, Ya, and Song, known as the Four Poems, which should be recited. After the decline of the Odes, the Spring and Autumn Annals were created. It contains praise and criticism, distinguishing good from evil.
The Three Transmissions refer to Gongyang, Zuo Qiuming, and Guliang. Once the classics are understood, one can read the philosophers. Summarize their key points and remember their events.
The Five Philosophers include Xunzi and Yangzi. Zhong Wuzi, Laozi, and Zhuangzi.
Once the classics and philosophers are mastered, one can read the histories. Examine the genealogies and understand the beginnings and ends.
From Fuxi and Shennong to the Yellow Emperor, they are known as the Three Sovereigns, who lived in ancient times.
Tang and Yu are known as the Two Emperors. They practiced abdication, marking a golden age.
The Xia dynasty had Yu, the Shang dynasty had Tang, and the Zhou dynasty had King Wen, known as the Three Kings.
The Xia dynasty passed its rule to its descendants, making it a family kingdom. It lasted for four hundred years before the Xia dynasty fell.
King Tang conquered the Xia dynasty, establishing the Shang dynasty. It lasted for six hundred years until King Zhou's downfall.
King Wu of Zhou began by executing King Zhou. It lasted for eight hundred years, the longest reign.
When the Zhou dynasty moved east, the royal authority declined. Weapons were wielded, and persuasion through speech became prevalent.
The Spring and Autumn period began, ending with the Warring States period. The Five Hegemons grew strong, and the Seven Powers emerged.
The Qin dynasty under Ying Zheng started the unification. Passing through two generations, the Chu-Han contention arose.
Emperor Gaozu rose, establishing the Han dynasty. Up to Emperor Xiaoping, Wang Mang usurped the throne.
Emperor Guangwu revived, founding the Eastern Han. Lasting four hundred years, it ended with Emperor Xian.
Wei, Shu, and Wu contested for the Han tripod. Known as the Three Kingdoms, it eventually led to the Jin dynasty.
Song and Qi followed, Liang and Chen succeeded. They were the Southern Dynasties, with their capital at Jinling.
Northern Wei split into East and West. Yuwen Zhou and Gao Qi arose.
By the time of Sui, the land was unified. It did not last beyond two generations, losing its lineage.
Emperor Gaozu of Tang raised an army. Removing the chaos of Sui, he founded the nation.
After twenty generations spanning three hundred years, the Liang dynasty replaced it.
The fiery Song dynasty rose, receiving the abdication from Zhou. Through eighteen generations, the north and south were mixed.
Liao and Jin both claimed imperial titles. Emperor Taizu arose, greatly enlightening the Ming.
Known as Hongwu, he made Jinling his capital. By the time of Chengzu, he moved the capital to Yanjing.
Through sixteen generations, it reached Chongzhen. Eunuch chaos followed internal strife.
Li Zicheng's rebellion led to the end of the divine mandate. Qing Shunzhi took control of Shenjing. By the tenth generation, Xuantong abdicated. Electing a president, the republic was formed.
Restoring Han territory, the Republic of China arose.
The Twenty-Two Histories are all here. They record order and chaos, knowing rise and fall. Reading history books, examining actual records. Understanding ancient and modern times, as if personally witnessed.