Zai Wo suggests cutting parental mourning to one year over ritual decay worries. Confucius argues three years repay parents’ early care, criticizing Zai Wo’s lack of heartfelt filial benevolence, holding true rituals spring from sincere inner grief rather than superficial forms.
The Old Man on the River was a man from the state of Chu.
Someone asked, “What about repaying resentment with virtue?”The Master replied, “Then what would you use to repay virtue? Repay resentment with uprightness, and repay virtue with virtue.”
The Master spoke of Gongzi Jing of Wei, saying, “He was good at managing his household. When he first had a little, he said, ‘It’s sufficient enough.’ When he had a bit more, he said, ‘It’s complete enough.’ When he became wealthy, he said, ‘It’s beautiful enough.’”
The universe lasts forever, but a man cannot live through all eternity. His lifespan is about 100 years, and even these 100 years pass quickly.
Strange Tales from Liaozhai (a Chinese Studio): A Xia narrates the tragic romance between scholar Jing and the beautiful A Xia (not a human being).
Strange Tales from Liaozhai (a Chinese Studio): Gong Mengbi explores enduring friendship, gratitude, and karmic justice through the bond between wealthy Liu Fanghua of Baoding, Hebei, and his steadfast friend Gong Mengbi from Shaanxi.
Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio: Ding Qianxi recounts a tale of selfless generosity, karmic reciprocity, and authentic human connection set in Shandong province.