SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Shu Qi

  • Value Your Life Above Kingship, Wealth and Power

    •

    This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Rang Wang gathers fables stressing valuing innate life above kingship and wealth. It also notes textual tensions: some tales celebrate moral suicide, conflicting with its core cherish‑life theme.

  • 不食周粟 (Bù shí Zhōu sù)

    •

    This entry explains idiom “Bu shi zhou su”, originating from Records of the Grand Historian. Based on Bo Yi and Shu Qi’s story, it symbolizes moral integrity: refusing benefits from a regime deemed unjust, with nuanced positive‑critical readings.

  • Guzhu

    •

    Guzhu (孤竹, also written as “觚竹”) was an ancient state during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. It is first mentioned in oracle bone inscriptions (甲骨文) from Yinxu (殷墟) and bronze inscriptions (金文) from the Shang dynasty. It was a vassal state of the Zi surname (子姓) and Mo clan (墨氏), with its capital located…

  • Chapter 29. Robber Zhi (Dao Zhi)

    •

    This page interprets Robber Zhi from Zhuangzi. Through Robber Zhi refuting Confucius, it denounces the hypocrisy of Confucian benevolence and righteousness. Two additional dialogues examine harms of fame and wealth, advocating following nature and preserving one’s true self in this highly subversive chapter.

  • Chapter 28. Yielding the Throne (Rang Wang)

    •

    This Zhuangzi ‑ Rang Wang collects fables of hermits rejecting thrones, rank and wealth. It advocates cherishing one’s inner life above worldly power, holding politics as secondary to personal spiritual cultivation.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 14.5

    •

    Han Feizi rejects Confucian benevolence. Strict laws and merit-based rewards secure order; empty loyalty and virtue are useless.

  • Preface to Biographies of High-Minded Scholars

    •

    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…

  • Mencius – Chapter 6.10 Chen Zhong’s ascetic morality

    •

    Kuang Zhang asked Mencius: “Isn’t Chen Zhongzi truly an honest and incorruptible man? He lived in Yuling and once went three days without food – so weak he couldn’t hear or see. There was a plum tree by a well; worms had eaten more than half the fruit. He crawled over, ate a few…

  • The Analects – Chapter 163 (7.15). Moral principle over political power

    •

    7.15 Ran Qiu said, “Is our Master on the side of the Prince of Wei?” Zigong said, “Yes, I must ask him about that.”