- Memorial Against the Expulsion of Guest OfficialsMount Tai rejects no clod of earth to achieve its height; rivers and oceans refuse no tiny stream to attain their depth; a great sovereign turns away no people to manifest true virtue.
- Mount Tai Stele InscriptionIn the twenty-sixth year he first united all under heaven, and none failed to submit.
- Memorial on Supervision and PunishmentA kind mother has spoilt sons, but a strict household has no unruly slaves
- Langya Terrace Stele InscriptionTools and vessels share one measure, and all write in the same script.
Through the Dynasties · LH4
Qin
One script for the empire, eulogies carved in stone and Li Si's memorials: the terse prose of Qin
6works
2forms
1authors
At a desk in a high pavilion a Qin official writes swiftly on bamboo slips, while beyond the balustrade mountains and rivers rush toward the sea. The scene recalls Li Si composing his Memorial Against the Expulsion of Guest Officials, with its vision that "Mount Tai refuses no soil, and rivers and seas reject no stream."
Mount Tai rejects no clod of earth to achieve its height; rivers and oceans refuse no tiny stream to attain their depth; a great sovereign turns away no people to manifest true virtue.
Read the work →Unification of empire and standardization of systems
Sayings
2 worksLiving Chinese linguistic heritage comprising idioms, proverbs, aphorisms, and couplets.
- Changing Customs and HabitsDuke Xiao used the laws of Shang Yang, changing manners and transforming customs; the people grew prosperous, the state rich and strong, the common folk served gladly, and the feudal lords drew near and submitted.
- Mount Tai Turns Away No Clod of SoilMount Tai turns away no soil, and so achieves its greatness; rivers and seas reject no small stream, and so achieve their depth.