Chinese Literature

To learn about literature is to understand humanity.

Confucianism is pervasive in Chinese literature.

Classics

1. Five Classics

Shu Ching (Classic of History) - collection of documents and speeches dating from the Later Han Dynasty (23-220 CE)

Shih Ching (Classic of Odes) - collection of 300 poems and songs from the early Chou Dynasty (1027-402 BC)

I Ching (Classic of Changes) - collection of texts on divination based on a set of 64 hexagrams that reflect the relationship between Yin and Yang in nature and society

Ch'un Ching (Spring and Autumn Annals) - extracts from the history of the state of Lu 722-484, said to be compiled by Confucius

Li Ching (Classic of Rites) - consists of three books on the Li (Rites of Propriety)

2. Four Books

The ideal hero is not the man of great strength but the man who has an excellent memory– not the warrior or the soldier, but the scholar.

Poetry is at the heart of Chinese literature

Buddhism during the Han dynasty (202 B.C.-220 A.D.) created a momentum for literary creativity.

T’ang dynasty (618-907 A.D.)- Golden Age of Chinese Poetry

Three Greatest Chinese Poets1. Li Po

2. Tu Fu

3. Po Chu-I

Drama was established during the T’ang dynasty but it reached its climax of popularity during the Mongol dynasty.

The Chinese novel flourished from thirteenth century to present.

Three Greatest Chinese Poets

Li Po

Tu Fu Po Chu-i

The Analects of Confucius A plausible tongue and a fascinating expression are seldom

associated with true virtue.

Let loyalty and truth be paramount with you. If you have faults, shrink not from correcting them.

Leaning without thought is labor lost. Thought without learning is intellectual death.

In mourning, it is better to be sincere than to be punctilious.

The faults of men are characteristic of themselves. By observing a man’s faults you may infer what his virtues are.

The commander-in-chief of an army can be carried captive, but the convictions of even the meanest man cannot be taken from him.

A youth should be filial at home, respectful abroad. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all, but cultivate the friendship of the good. Then, whatsoever of energy may be left to him, he should devote to the improvement of his mind.

(A disciple having asked for a definition of charity, the Master said:) LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

(Having been further asked for a definition of knowledge, the Master said:) KNOW ONE ANOTHER!

(Someone asked Confucius, “Master, what think you concerning the principle that good should be returned for evil?” The Master replied:) What then will you return for good? No, RETURN GOOD FOR GOOD; FOR EVIL, JUSTICE.

(A Disciple having asked for a rule of life in a word, the Master said: Is not Reciprocity that word?) WHAT YOU WOULD NOT OTHERS DO UNTO YOU, DO NOT DO UNTO THEM.

Sharing Insights: According to Confucius, how should we treat a person who flatters us?

Which statement implies Confucius’ opinion that intellectual advancement or academic pursuit should concern us last? Do you agree with him? Explain.

What does Confucius mean by “learning without thought”?

What, do you think, does Confucius mean by intellectual death?

Do you agree that judgment or opinion based on lack of understanding of facts has no weight or is without merit? Explain.

Do you agree that love is an important element of charity? Explain.

What is meant by returning “good for good, for evil, justice”? Do you agree? Explain.