Civilizational Canons · LC1

Values & Ethics

Cultivating virtue and managing the home: the ethical foundation and enduring warmth of human relations in Chinese letters.

110works

12dynasties

68authors

Values & Ethics brings together core prose treatises and family maxims on moral cultivation, kinship responsibility, and ethical integrity, from Confucian classics and Zhuge Liang's admonitions to Li Mi's filial memorials.

Zhou

31 works

1046–221 BCE

  1. Putting Oneself in Others' ShoesAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students) · Satirical ParablesDo not do to others what you would not want done to yourself.
  2. Not Plucking a Single HairMencius · Philosophers' FablesUtter selfishness that yields nothing cuts you off from everyone else.
  3. The Highest Good Is Like WaterLaozi · IdiomsSupreme goodness is like water, nourishing all things without contending; humble, selfless virtue.
  4. Great Virtue Carries All ThingsKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed) · IdiomsLike the earth, a noble person bears all things with generous virtue; a classic motto of moral cultivation.
  5. The Doctrine of the MeanConfucius · IdiomsThe Confucian way of balance, avoiding excess and deficiency; today also a moderate, compromising attitude.
  6. Investigating Things to Extend KnowledgeZengzi (traditionally attributed) · IdiomsProbing the principles of things to attain true knowledge; the first step of Confucian self-cultivation.
  7. Sincere Intentions, Rectified HeartZengzi (traditionally attributed) · IdiomsMaking one's intentions sincere and one's heart upright; core steps of Confucian self-cultivation.
  8. Striving Ceaselessly for Self-ImprovementKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed) · IdiomsLike heaven's tireless motion, the noble person strives to improve himself without ever slackening.
  9. New Every Day, Different Every MonthDai Sheng (comp.) · IdiomsChanging day by day and month by month; rapid progress.
  10. Think Thrice Before ActingAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students) · IdiomsThink carefully, again and again, before taking action.
  11. The Law of Heaven and EarthZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed) · IdiomsA principle as unalterable as heaven and earth; perfectly justified.
  12. Joy, Anger, Sorrow, and DelightDai Sheng (comp.) · IdiomsJoy, anger, grief, and happiness; the full range of human emotions.
  13. Unable to Live under the Same SkyDai Sheng (comp.) · IdiomsUnwilling to share the same sky with an enemy; describes the deepest enmity.
  14. Giving Up on OneselfMencius · IdiomsAbandoning oneself to failure or degradation; giving up all effort to improve.
  15. Not Yielding in RighteousnessConfucius · IdiomsTaking on what is right without deferring to anyone, even one's teacher.
  16. Too Much Is as Bad as Too LittleConfucius · IdiomsOverdoing is as bad as underdoing; everything in moderation.
  17. Do Not Impose on Others What You Do Not DesireAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students) · AphorismsDo not do to others what you would not want done to yourself; the Confucian principle of reciprocity.
  18. Keeping Oneself CleanMencius · IdiomsTo keep oneself morally pure and aloof from wrongdoing; also, to avoid involvement for self-protection.
  19. Classic of PoetryAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians) · Four-Character VerseThe three hundred odes can be summed up in a single phrase: 'no swerving in thought.'
  20. The AnalectsAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students) · Pre-Qin MastersTo learn and practice it in due season—is that not a joy? To have friends come from afar—is that not a delight?
  21. MenciusMencius · Pre-Qin MastersNot corrupted by wealth, not swayed by poverty, not bowed by force: this is what I call a great man.
  22. MoziMozi (Mo Di) (traditionally attributed) · Pre-Qin MastersWhen all under heaven love one another universally there is order; when they hate one another there is chaos.
  23. The Great LearningZengzi (traditionally attributed) · Pre-Qin MastersThe way of great learning lies in illuminating bright virtue, in renewing the people, and in resting in the highest good.
  24. Doctrine of the MeanZisi (traditionally attributed) · Pre-Qin MastersBefore joy, anger, sorrow and delight arise, there is equilibrium; when they arise in due measure, there is harmony.
  25. Jingwei Fills the SeaAnonymous · Ancient MythsShe constantly carries wood and stones from the Western Mountains to fill up the Eastern Sea.
  26. Kuafu Chases the SunAnonymous · Ancient MythsKuafu raced with the sun and entered [its setting place].
  27. Meng JiangnüAnonymous · Folk LegendsQi Liang died in battle; his wife came for his remains. Duke Zhuang of Qi condoled on the road; she stepped aside, not daring to accept. She wept for her husband at the wall, and the wall came down; having no kin left, she went into the Zi and died.
  28. Book of ChangesKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed) · Pre-Qin MastersHeaven moves with vigor; the noble person, accordingly, strives to strengthen himself without ceasing.
  29. The Foolish Old Man Moves the MountainsLiezi · Philosophers' FablesEven when I die, my sons will remain; my sons will have grandsons, and the grandsons sons; sons and grandsons without end, while the mountains grow no higher. Why worry that they cannot be levelled?
  30. Spring and Autumn AnnalsConfucius (Kongzi) (traditionally attributed) · Historical NarrativeFirst year, spring, the king's first month.
  31. Book of DocumentsAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius) · Historical NarrativeLike a net held by its main cord, there is order and no confusion.

Han

11 works

202 BCE – 220 CE

  1. Letter Admonishing Nephews Yan and DunMa Yuan · Letters & PrefacesI desire you all, upon hearing others' faults, to treat it as hearing your parents' names: ears may listen, but mouths must never utter them. Emulating Bogao imperfectly still yields a prudent gentleman—carving a swan that resembles a duck; emulating Jiliang imperfectly degrades into frivolous insolence—drawing a tiger that ends up looking like a dog.
  2. Bearing Brambles to Beg ForgivenessSima Qian · IdiomsGeneral Lian Po carried thorny brambles on his back to apologize; sincerely admitting fault and asking forgiveness.
  3. A Promise Worth a Thousand GoldSima Qian · IdiomsA single promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold; absolute trustworthiness in keeping one's word.
  4. Honest Advice Grates on the EarSima Qian · IdiomsSincere advice is unpleasant to hear but good for one's conduct; urges accepting criticism.
  5. Mending One's WaysSima Qian · IdiomsCorrecting one's mistakes and making a fresh start.
  6. Forgetting Righteousness at the Sight of GainBan Gu · IdiomsTo abandon principle and loyalty at the sight of personal gain.
  7. Records of the Grand HistorianSima Qian · Historical NarrativeTo probe the boundary between Heaven and humankind, to comprehend the changes of past and present, and to form a single school's word.
  8. Book of HanBan Gu · Historical NarrativeBetter to go home and weave a net than to stand by the pool longing for fish.
  9. Though the Tortoise Lives LongCao Cao · Old-Style SongsAn old steed lying in its stall still sets its heart on a thousand li; a man of valor in his twilight years keeps his proud heart undimmed.
  10. Book of RitesDai Sheng (comp.) · Pre-Qin MastersWhen the Great Way prevailed, the world belonged to all.
  11. Admonitions for WomenBan Zhao · Letters & PrefacesA woman has four kinds of conduct: womanly virtue, womanly speech, womanly bearing and womanly work.

Northern and Southern

8 works

420–589

  1. Drawing a Tiger That Looks Like a DogFan Ye · Satirical ParablesImitating what is beyond your reach leaves you a clumsy caricature.
  2. Raising the Tray to Eyebrow LevelFan Ye · IdiomsMeng Guang raised the food tray to her brows when serving her husband; mutual respect between spouses.
  3. Silent, Imperceptible TransformationYan Zhitui · IdiomsOne's thinking or character is gradually changed by unnoticed influence.
  4. Drawing a Tiger That Looks Like a DogFan Ye · IdiomsTrying to draw a tiger but ending with a dog; overreaching ambition or clumsy imitation.
  5. A New Account of Tales of the WorldLiu Yiqing (comp.) · Tales of the StrangeBetter to liken it to willow catkins rising on the wind.
  6. Book of the Later HanFan Ye · Historical NarrativeWhere there is a will, the deed is done at last.
  7. Book of WeiWei Shou (comp.) · Historical NarrativeThe one who will complete my work is surely this child.
  8. Book of SongShen Yue (comp.) · Historical NarrativeHis family was poor; he had great ambitions and cared little for the niceties of conduct.

Tang

16 works

618–907

  1. Inscription for My Humble CottageLiu Yuxi · Epitaphs & ElegiesMountains need not be high—if immortals dwell there, they become renowned; waters need not be deep—if dragons reside, they become sacred. Though this is a humble room, my virtuous character makes it fragrant.
  2. Inquiry into the True WayHan Yu · Essays & MemorialsLoving all broadly is called humaneness; acting as is fitting is called righteousness.
  3. Inquiry into the Source of SlanderHan Yu · Essays & MemorialsThey demanded much and thoroughly of themselves but asked little and lightly of others.
  4. Memorial Text for the Twelfth NephewHan Yu · Epitaphs & ElegiesMy sight is blurred, my hair is grey and my teeth are loose.
  5. Bodhi Gatha · Originally Not a Single Thing ExistsHuineng (Sixth Patriarch) · Regulated QuatrainsBodhi originally has no tree, nor does the bright mirror have a stand. From the beginning not a single thing exists—where then could dust ever alight!
  6. Gatha of the Body as Bodhi TreeShenxiu · Regulated QuatrainsThe body is the Bodhi tree; the mind is like a clear mirror on a stand. Constantly and diligently wipe it clean, never allowing dust to collect.
  7. Freedom from Anger Is the PreceptShide · Old-Style SongsTo be free of anger is itself the precept; a pure mind is itself leaving home.
  8. Song of the Parting SonMeng Jiao · Yuefu BalladsWho could say that the heart of an inch-long blade of grass could ever repay the boundless sunshine of three springs?
  9. Rising to Practice Swordplay at CockcrowFang Xuanling et al. (comp.) · IdiomsZu Ti rose at midnight cockcrow to practice swordsmanship; ambitious people seizing every moment to strive.
  10. Treat All AlikeHan Yu · IdiomsTo treat everyone equally without favoritism.
  11. Pity for the Peasants, Two PoemsLi Shen · Regulated QuatrainsWho knows that of the food upon the plate, every single grain is bitter toil?
  12. Book of JinFang Xuanling (comp.) · Historical NarrativeWe should join forces for the royal house and recover the Divine Land
  13. Book of ZhouLinghu Defen (comp.) · Historical NarrativeSu Chuo is truly a remarkable man; I shall entrust him with government.
  14. Book of LiangYao Silian (comp.) · Historical NarrativeMy state is like a golden bowl, without a single crack or flaw.
  15. Book of Northern QiLi Baiyao (comp.) · Historical NarrativeFrom then on he had the ambition to set the whole realm in order.
  16. Book of ChenYao Silian (comp.) · Historical NarrativeThe hills and streams here are so fine that a king must arise from this place.

Song

15 works

960–1279

  1. On the Love of the LotusZhou Dunyi · Essays & MemorialsI uniquely love the lotus for emerging from murky mud yet remaining unstained, bathed in clear ripples yet free from coquettish vanity; hollow within and straight without, neither clinging to vines nor branching astray; its fragrance growing purer the farther it spreads, standing erect in pristine purity, to be admired from afar and not treated with vulgar familiarity.
  2. Record of Master Yan's Shrine in Tonglu CommanderyFan Zhongyan · Travel WritingThe cloudy mountains are deep green, the river waters vast and wide; the Master's spirit is as high as the mountains and as long as the river!
  3. Striving for Ever Greater PerfectionZhu Xi · IdiomsNever satisfied with good; always striving to make it better.
  4. Upright and OpenZhu Xi · IdiomsUpright, honest and selfless in word and deed; acting openly without hidden schemes.
  5. Deceiving Oneself and OthersZhu Xi · IdiomsFooling oneself as well as others with what one knows to be untrue.
  6. Open and AboveboardZhu Xi · IdiomsFrank, open-hearted and upright, with nothing to hide.
  7. Feet Firmly on the GroundShao Bowen · IdiomsKeeping one's feet on solid ground; working in a practical, earnest way.
  8. Song of the Upright SpiritWen Tianxiang · Old-Style SongsWhen times are desperate, integrity shows itself, and one by one these deeds are handed down in the histories.
  9. Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in GovernmentSima Guang (comp.) · Historical NarrativeI have heard that among the duties of the Son of Heaven none is greater than ritual; within ritual nothing is greater than distinction of rank; within distinction nothing is greater than names.
  10. Three Character ClassicWang Yinglin (traditionally attributed) · Rhymes & JinglesAt the start of life, human nature is good; by nature people are close, by practice they drift apart.
  11. Collected Commentaries on the Four BooksZhu Xi · Pre-Qin MastersHeaven's course turns in a cycle, and nothing goes that does not return.
  12. On Frugality, for My Son KangSima Guang · Letters & PrefacesEveryone takes extravagance as glory; my heart alone takes frugality and plainness as beauty.
  13. Old History of the Five DynastiesXue Juzheng (comp.) · Historical NarrativeThis is as easy as turning over one's hand.
  14. New Book of TangOuyang Xiu (comp.) · Historical NarrativeHuang Chao rode in a golden carriage, his guards all in embroidered robes and fine headcloths.
  15. New History of the Five DynastiesOuyang Xiu (comp.) · Historical NarrativeThe pattern of rise and fall may be called the will of Heaven, but is it not also the work of men?

Yuan

6 works

1260–1368

  1. Yulizi (The Book of Master Yuli)Liu Bowen · Satirical ParablesWhat is Yuli? Li is fire, the sign of civilization; put to use, its culture flourishes, bringing the rule of an enlightened age.
  2. The Orphan of ZhaoJi Junxiang · Yuan Zaju DramaA man may mean the tiger no harm, but the tiger means to hurt the man.
  3. The Story of the LuteGao Ming · Southern DramaAs for plays: to please people is easy, to move them is hard.
  4. History of SongToqto'a (comp.) · Historical NarrativeWhen civil officials do not love money and military officers do not grudge their lives, the realm will be at peace.
  5. History of LiaoToqto'a (comp.) · Historical NarrativeThis girl will surely make a family flourish.
  6. History of JinToqto'a (comp.) · Historical NarrativeNo state in history has failed to fall, and the rulers of fallen states have often been taken captive... I shall not come to that.

Ming

8 works

1368–1644

  1. Record of the Xiangji StudioGui Youguang · Informal EssaysIn the courtyard there is a loquat tree that my wife planted with her own hands in the year she died. Now it stands tall and spreads like a canopy.
  2. Biographical Sketch of My Late MotherGui Youguang · Epitaphs & ElegiesThat there should be people in this world without a mother! O Heaven! What anguish!
  3. Song to Awaken the World · Red Dust and White WavesHanshan Deqing · Old-Style SongsRed dust and white waves, both a boundless blur; forbearance and gentleness are the wondrous cure.
  4. Unity of Knowledge and ActionWang Yangming · IdiomsWang Yangming's teaching that knowing and doing are inseparable; true knowledge shows itself in action.
  5. Neither Servile nor ArrogantZhu Zhiyu · IdiomsNeither humble nor haughty; poised and appropriately dignified in manner.
  6. Inscription for the Tomb of the Five MenZhang Pu · Epitaphs & ElegiesThose who, stirred by righteousness, died.
  7. Expanded Words of WisdomAnonymous · Common SayingsA long road shows a horse's strength; long days reveal a person's heart.
  8. History of YuanSong Lian (comp.) · Historical NarrativeThe pears may have no owner, but has my heart no master?

Qing

8 works

1636–1912

  1. Epitaph for My SisterYuan Mei · Epitaphs & ElegiesThe paper ash flies up, and the north wind blows wild across the open land. Your elder brother is going home, yet still turns back again and again to look at you.
  2. Fourth Letter Sent from the Fan County Magistracy to Brother MoZheng Xie (Zheng Banqiao) · Letters & PrefacesI think the first rank of people in the world is the farmers, while scholars are last of the four classes.
  3. Letter to Younger Brothers on Reading and AspirationZeng Guofan · Letters & PrefacesWhen scholars study, first they must have Aspiration (Zhi); second, Discernment (Shi); third, Perseverance (Heng). With aspiration, one refuses base mediocrity; with discernment, one recognizes learning is boundless and never grows complacent; with perseverance, there is nothing that cannot be achieved. None of these three can be lacking.
  4. Maxims for Managing the HomeZhu Bolu · NotebooksOver a bowl of congee or rice, reflect upon the arduous labor that produced it; holding half a strand of silk, keep in mind the difficulty of material resources.
  5. Strange Tales from a Chinese StudioPu Songling · Qing Tales of WonderGathering scraps of fur into a robe, I presume to continue the records of the netherworld; drinking deep as I write, I have made only a book of solitary indignation.
  6. Six Records of a Floating LifeShen Fu · NotebooksI remember that as a small child I could look straight into the sun with my eyes wide open and make out the tip of an autumn hair.
  7. History of MingZhang Tingyu (comp.) · Historical NarrativeThose who speak of moving south should be beheaded. The capital is the root of the realm; once it is shaken, all is lost.
  8. Draft History of QingZhao Erxun (comp.) · Historical NarrativeWhere the hearts of the people turn, the will of Heaven can be known.