Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World
(历久不衰的语录)
6 min read
Many historical quotations have stood the test of time and continue to offer wisdom today. They remind us that, despite technological and social changes, many fundamental human concerns remain unchanged, fostering an appreciation of the continuity of Chinese culture across millennia. Three themes are explored below: personal conduct, learning, and governance.
On Personal Conduct
“Like the vigor of the sky, a virtuous person relentlessly improves himself. Like the breadth and depth of the earth, a virtuous person shoulders great responsibility” (天行健, 君子以自强不息; 地势坤, 君子以厚德载物).
“A virtuous person is cautious at the beginning of an endeavor, for a slight mistake can lead to a great error” (君子慎始, 差若毫厘, 谬以千里).
Both quotations, from the Book of Changes (易经) more than three thousand years ago, refer to junzi (君子), often translated as “gentleman.” In its original context, however, the term meant a morally cultivated person rather than a man of social rank; thus, “virtuous person” is a more appropriate modern translation.
“I reflect on myself in three ways every day: Have I done my best in serving others? Have I been trustworthy with friends? Have I reviewed and practiced what I have learned?” (吾日三省吾身: 为人谋而不忠乎? 与朋友交而不信乎? 传不习乎?)
“When you see a virtuous person, consider learning from him; when you see an unethical person, examine yourself to avoid becoming like him” (见贤思齐焉, 见不贤而内自省也).
These two quotations come from the Analects (论语), an anthology of conversations and anecdotes between Confucius and his students. Confucius, a thinker and educator of the sixth century BCE, emphasized personal and public morality, harmonious social relationships, righteousness, benevolence, and the ruler’s responsibility to govern by virtue. His teachings later developed into Confucianism, which dominated Chinese philosophy for more than two millennia.
“The highest virtue is like water. Water benefits all things without competing with them. It dwells in low places that people disdain, and thus is close to the Dao” (上善若水, 水善利万物而不争, 处众人之所恶, 故几于道). This quotation is from the Book of the Way and Virtue (Daodejing, 道德经), a collection of aphorisms traditionally dated to the 6th century BCE.
“If one is not free from excessive desires, one cannot clarify one’s ambitions; if one does not remain calm, one’s achievements will not go far” (非淡泊无以明志, 非宁静无以致远). This line comes from Advice to My Son (诫子书), an 80-word letter written by Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) for his eight-year-old son during the final year of his life in the 3rd century CE. Zhuge Liang was a statesman and military strategist of the early Three Kingdoms period (三国时代), serving as prime minister of the State of Shu (蜀国). He is revered for his loyalty, moral integrity, and strategic brilliance.
On Learning
“Learning without thinking leads to confusion; thinking without learning leads to ignorance” (学而不思则罔, 思而不学则殆).
“By reviewing the old and understanding the new, one becomes fit to be a teacher” (温故而知新, 可以为师矣).
“True knowledge lies in knowing what you know and knowing what you do not know” (知之为知之, 不知为不知, 是知也).
“When three people gather together, there is always something I can learn from one of them” (三人行, 必有我师焉).
All of the above quotations are from the Analects (论语) and articulate Confucius’s approach to learning as a process of reflection, humility, and continuous self-improvement.
On Governing
“The way of great learning is to illuminate virtuous character, care for the people, and rest only at the highest excellence” (大学之道, 在明明德, 在亲民, 在止于至善).
“Rectify the mind, cultivate the self, bring harmony to the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world [in this order]” (正心, 修身, 齐家, 治国, 平天下).
“If you win the hearts of the people, you gain the state; if you lose the hearts of the people, you lose the state” (得众则得国, 失众则失国).
These quotations are from the Book of Great Learning (大学), one of the Four Classics of Confucianism, traditionally attributed to Zengzi (曾子), a disciple of Confucius in the 5th century BCE. The text was regarded as foundational instruction for the ruling elite.
“If you care for others’ elders as you care for your own, and others’ young as you care for your own, then governing the world will be as easy as turning your palm” (老吾老以及人之老, 幼吾幼以及人之幼, 天下可运于掌).
“The people are the most precious; the state comes next; the ruler is of least importance” (民为贵, 社稷次之, 君为轻).
These lines are from the Book of Mencius (孟子), compiled in the late 4th century BCE. Mencius was a major Confucian philosopher, and the book records conversations and teachings attributed to him.
“Only when granaries are full will people know propriety; only when clothing and food are sufficient will they understand honor and shame” (仓廪实而知礼节, 衣食足而知荣辱). This quotation appears in the Records of the Grand Historian (史记), written in the 1st century BCE by Sima Qian (司马迁), the official historian of Emperor Wu of Han (汉武帝).
“Using bronze as a mirror, one can adjust one’s attire; using history as a mirror, one can understand the rise and fall of states; using people as a mirror, one can discern one’s own successes and failures” (以铜为镜可以正衣冠, 以史为镜可以知兴替, 以人为镜可以知得失). This saying is attributed to Emperor Taizong of Tang (唐太宗) in the 7th century, widely regarded as one of China’s greatest rulers.
“To be the first to worry about the world’s troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures” (先天下之忧而忧, 后天下之乐而乐). This line comes from an essay by Fan Zhongyan (范仲淹), an 11th century official and literary figure of the Song dynasty. It captures the ethical ideal of the scholar-official (士大夫), whose foremost responsibility was the well-being of the state and its people.
“Establish meaning for the people’s lives and secure lasting peace for future generations” (为生民立命, 为万世开太平). This quotation is from the writings of Zhang Zai (张载), an 11th century Song dynasty Confucian philosopher, expressing the moral mission of scholar-officials.
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