Fan Zhongyan

  • Fan Zhongyan

    Fan Zhongyan (989–1052 CE) was a distinguished statesman, military strategist, and literary figure of the Northern Song dynasty. His courtesy name was Xiwen, and he was posthumously honored with the title “Wenzheng” – a mark of high moral and scholarly esteem. He was a native of Wu County, Suzhou (modern-day Suzhou, Jiangsu).

  • Mencius – Chapter 8.28 The noble person’s lifelong concern: Self-reflection and Moral integrity

    Mencius said: “What distinguishes the noble person from ordinary people lies in what they hold in their heart. The noble person keeps benevolence and ritual propriety in mind. One who embodies benevolence loves others; one who embodies ritual respects others. Those who love others are constantly loved in return; those who respect others are…

  • Mencius – Chapter 2.4 Shared Joy, Shared Sorrow

    King Xuan of Qi received Mencius in the Snow Palace and asked, “Does a virtuous man also enjoy such a thing as this palace?”

  • Yueyang Pavilion

    -by Fan Zhongyan [Song dynasty], translated by Yang Xianyi, Gladys B.Tayler (Gladys Yang) In the spring of the fourth year of the reign of Qingli, Teng Zijing was banished from the capital to be governor of Baling Prefecture. After he had governed the district for a year, the administration became efficient, the people became…

  • Mencius – Chapter 1.2 Shared Joy, Shared Rule

    Mencius went to see King Hui of Liang, who stood by a pond, gazing at the swans, geese, elks and deer, and said, “Do virtuous men also take delight in such scenes?”