Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
Mencius criticizes Chen Zhongzi’s superficial integrity. His refusal of Qi’s throne is only trivial righteousness, yet he abandoned family and social ethics. One cannot judge a person’s core virtue merely by small, self-serving moral acts.
Mencius argues unserving scholars should not answer lords’ summons. Rulers must respect worthy men with proper rites instead of commanding them. He cites a gamekeeper refusing improper summons and clarifies Confucius hurried only when summoned in official capacity.
This Han Feizi excerpt defines righteousness as rule-based, purposeful conduct. It upholds social hierarchy and proper roles, distinct from spontaneous benevolence.
The wife of a feudal lord is called “Fu Ren” (Lady) by her husband; she refers to herself humbly as “Xiao Tong” (Little Child); the people of her state call her “Jun Fu Ren” (Lord’s Lady); when her state refers to her when speaking to other states, she is called “Gua Xiao Jun” (My…
In Strange Tales from Liaozhai: The Fox Scholar (The Fox-teacher), a wealthy Hebei family hires a scholar named Hu to tutor their children.
A rich family in Zhili, Hebei, was trying to find a teacher for their children.
Strange Tales from Liaozhai – Ah Bao is a tale of transcendent romance. It follows impoverished scholar Sun Zichu’s obsessive love for the wealthy beauty Ah Bao, weaving fantasy and social conflict to explore love’s transformative power while critiquing human vanity and materialism.
In “Forty Thousand Coins” from Strange Tales from Liaozhai Studio, why did Pu Songling create the character Wang Xiangqian (Wang, the Minister of War)?
A high official paid a visit to a monastery. The monk in charge, having been notified of this previously, had made meticulous preparations for this occasion.