This Zhuangzi ‑ Zhi Bei You chapter explores the ineffable Dao via allegories. It argues true Dao cannot be grasped by intellect or words, discussing universal Qi, life‑death transformation and famous idiom‑generating episodes.
This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Shanxing critiques worldly self‑improvement as self‑defeating. It advocates inner tranquility over accumulating knowledge, warning against becoming “inverted people” who lose their true nature to external things or status.
As one of the four core classics of Confucianism, The Great Learning (Daxue) holds a sacred place in Chinese intellectual and cultural history. Originally a chapter in the Book of Rites, an ancient collection of ritual and ethical texts, it was later compiled and annotated by the Song Dynasty scholar Zhu Xi, who elevated…
The grandsons of Cai Jing, the notorious prime minister, who grew up in riches, could not tell wheat from rice.
One day a learned scholar was buying a donkey on the market. A deed had to be filled out recording the transaction.
“I am seventy already,” said Duke Ping of Jin to his blind musician Shi Kuang. “Though I want very much to study and read some books, I feel it is too late.”
To know that you do not know—that is true wisdom.Not to know yet think you know—that is affliction. Only by recognizing affliction as affliction can one avoid affliction.The sage is free from affliction because he recognizes affliction as such—thus he remains unafflicted.