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Following in the footsteps of Confucius, Mencius (Mengzi, 372–289 BCE) stands as the second great sage of Confucianism, whose teachings solidified and expanded the philosophical system laid by his predecessor. His work, Mencius, a collection of dialogues, debates, and moral arguments, is not merely a supplement to The Analects – it is a foundational…
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Mencius said: “A person must know what not to do, before they can truly accomplish anything meaningful.”
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In 208 CE, Kong Rong – a famed scholar, descendant of Confucius, and former Governor of Beihai – was executed by Cao Cao. His crime? Repeatedly mocking Cao Cao, openly criticizing his policies, and refusing to show deference in official memorials and letters. Though ostensibly punished for “slandering the court,” his real offense lay…
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5.14 When Zilu heard any precept and was still trying unsuccessfully to put it into practice, his one fear was that he might hear some fresh precept.
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2.24 Confucius said, “Just as to sacrifice to ancestors other than one’s own is presumption, so to see what is right and not do it is cowardice.”
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It is better to incur hatred by one’s upright conduct than to please others by perverting your morals.
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Strange Tales from Liaozhai Studio’s “Chopping the Python” (Hacking the Boa) recounts the ordeal of two Hu brothers in remote mountains.