SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

reclusion

  • Xian Gao [Biographies of Noble Scholars]

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    Xian Gao was a native of the State of Zheng. During the reign of Duke Mu of Zheng, seeing that the state was being pressured by Qin and Jin, Xian Gao chose to live in reclusion and not serve as an official, instead becoming a merchant.

  • Pu Yi Zi [Biographies of Noble Scholars]

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    Pu Yi Zi was a worthy man from the time of Emperor Shun. When he was only eight years old, Shun took him as his teacher.

  • The Farmer of Shihu [Biographies of Noble Scholars]

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    The Farmer of Shihu was a man whose origins are unknown. He was a friend of Shun. When Shun offered to yield the world to him, the Farmer of Shihu remarked: “How tirelessly laborious the Lord is! He is indeed a man who exhausts his strength [for the sake of others].”

  • Zi Zhou Zhi Fu [Biographies of Noble Scholars]

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    Zi Zhou Zhi Fu was a man from the time of Emperor Yao. When Yao offered to yield the throne to Xu You, Xu You declined. Yao then offered it to Zi Zhou Zhi Fu.

  • Shan Juan [Biographies of Noble Scholars]

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    Shan Juan was a worthy man of antiquity. Emperor Yao heard that he had attained the Dao and thus faced north to study under him as a teacher. After Yao completed his reign, Shun also offered to yield the world to Shan Juan.

  • Xu You [Biographies of Noble Scholars]

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    Xu You, courtesy name Wuzhong, was a native of Huaili in Yangcheng. He was a man who stood firmly on righteousness and walked squarely; he would not sit on a mat that was not straight, nor eat food that was not properly prepared. Later, he hid himself in the marshes of Pei.

  • Chao Fu [Biographies of Noble Scholars]

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    Chao Fu was a hermit from the time of Emperor Yao. He lived in the mountains, seeking no worldly profit. In his old age, he built a nest in a tree and slept upon it; thus, the people of his time called him “Father Nest” (Chao Fu).

  • Bei Yi [Biographies of Noble Scholars]

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    Bei Yi (or Pi Yi) was a man from the time of Emperor Yao. Yao’s teacher was Xu You; Xu You’s teacher was Nie Que; Nie Que’s teacher was Wang Ni; and Wang Ni’s teacher was Bei Yi.

  • Preface to Biographies of High-Minded Scholars

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    Confucius said, “When the hidden virtuous are elevated, the hearts of all people under heaven turn to them.” Mr. Hongya established lofty principles in the age of the Sovereigns of High Antiquity; Xu You and Shan Juan did not lower their integrity during the reigns of Tang and Yu. Therefore, the I Ching contains…