Mencius describes expanding friendship from local to global virtuous scholars, then “befriending ancient sages” spiritually. He puts forward the literary critical principle: readers must grasp writers’ lives and their eras to fully understand their poems and books.
Cai Lun (c. 62–121 CE) was a eunuch official of the Eastern Han dynasty and is traditionally credited with the invention of papermaking. His courtesy name was Jingzhong, and he was born in Guiyang (modern-day Leiyang, Hunan).
The Master said, “It is humanity that enlarges the Way, not the Way that enlarges humanity.”
Confucius was in danger during the incident at Kuang, and Yan Hui lagged behind. When Yan Hui finally caught up, Confucius said, “I thought you had died.” Yan Hui replied, “As long as you, Master, are still alive, how could I dare to die?”
When Yan Hui died, Confucius wept with overwhelming grief. Those accompanying him said, “You are grieving excessively.” He replied, “Am I really grieving too much? If not for someone like him, for whom else should I grieve!”
Confucius was in danger when surrounded by people in Kuang. He said, “King Wen of Zhou is long gone – but is not the cultural tradition now embodied in me? If Heaven intended to destroy this culture, those born after him (including myself) would never have had access to it. Since Heaven has not…
Confucius traced his teachings back to Yao and Shun,and took Wen and Wu as his models for institutions.Above, he conformed to the rhythms of Heaven’s seasons;below, he followed the patterns of earth, water, and soil.