Three Character Classic · Hundred Family Surnames · Thousand Character Characters · Disciple Guidanc

Chapter 5 Three Character Classic (4)
The four books are familiar, the filial piety [1] is familiar [2], such as the Six Classics [3], Shi [4] can be read.

【Note】

[1] The Book of Filial Piety: A book written by Confucius to illustrate filial piety, with a total of eighteen chapters. [2] Tong: through. [3] Six Classics: Refers to "Book of Songs", "Shangshu", "Zhou Li", "Book of Changes", "Book of Music" and "Spring and Autumn". [4] Beginning: just.

【Translation】

If you are familiar with the "Four Books" and master the "Book of Filial Piety", then you can learn the "Six Classics" of Confucianism.

[Interpretation]

Reading starts from the simple and easy to understand, lays the foundation for learning and seeking knowledge, and being a human being, and then further studies more profound knowledge.

Shishu Yi, Li Chunqiu, No. [1] Six Classics, Dang [2] Emphasis.

【Note】

[1] number: title. [2] When: should.

【Translation】

"Poetry", "Book", "Yi", "Ritual", "Spring and Autumn", plus the "Book of Music" called "Six Classics", should be studied and explored.

[Interpretation]

There is also a version of the "Three Character Classics" that reads: "Poems and books are changed, the Spring and Autumn Festival is celebrated, and the music scriptures are dead, and I can ask for more." The current version is used here.

There are Lianshan [1], there is Guizang [2], there is Zhouyi [3], and the details of Three Changes [4].

【Note】

[1] Lianshan: The title of the book, it is said that it was written by Fuxi, also known as "Lianshan Yi". [2] Gui Zang: The title of the book, it is said that it was written by the Yellow Emperor, also known as Gui Zang Yi. [3] Zhouyi: The title of the book, written by King Wen of Zhou, Duke Zhou, and Confucius. [4] Detailed: detailed, know.

【Translation】

"Lianshan Yi", "Gui Zang Yi" and "Zhou Yi", these three books are collectively called "Three Yis", also known as "Book of Changes", which use the form of "gua" to explain the principles of changes in the universe.

[Interpretation]

Although "Book of Changes" is a divination book used by the ancients in our country, it expounds the principles of yin and yang ebb and flow, and things must be reversed at extremes, and has profound philosophical thoughts.

There are codes [1] Mo [2], there are training [3] patents [4], there are oaths [5] orders, the mystery of books.

【Note】

[1]典：典章制度。[2]谟（mó）：大臣向皇帝陈述良谋建言献策的事迹和言辞。[3]训：劝诫训导帝王的言辞。[4]诰（gào）：晓谕民众百官的政令通告。[5]誓：出师告诫将士的言辞。

【Translation】

The content of "Shangshu" is divided into six parts: Dian is the constitutional principles of the establishment of the country; Mo records the strategic plan for governing the country; Xun is the words of admonition by ministers; , the text is esoteric and difficult to understand.

[Interpretation]

"Shangshu" is a very valuable historical material. From the perspective of content, it is similar to the relevant archives of the current national government. If we study it, it can increase our understanding of the social situation at that time.

I, Duke of Zhou [1], make Zhou Li [2], chopsticks [3] and six officials [4], save and govern the body.

【Note】

[1] Duke Zhou: Surnamed Ji Mingdan, the fourth son of King Wen of Zhou, younger brother of King Wu of Zhou. [2] Zhou Li: The title of the book, written by Duke Zhou. [3] chopsticks: the same. [4] Six Officials: "Zhou Li" is divided into six parts: Tianguan Zhongzai, Diguan Situ, Spring Official Zongbo, Xia Official Sima, Autumn Official Sikou, and Winter Official Sikong.

【Translation】

Zhou Gong wrote "Zhou Li", which records the official system of the six officials and the composition of the country at that time.

[Interpretation]

Duke Zhou was the most talented and kindhearted of all the sons of King Wen of Zhou.After the death of King Wu of Zhou, the Duke of Zhou assisted King Cheng of Zhou to assist the government and establish laws and regulations. Because of his talents, he managed the country to make the country rich and the people strong, creating the 800-year foundation of the Zhou Dynasty.

Big and small Dai [1], annotate the Book of Rites [2], describe the holy words, and prepare for rituals and music [3].

【Note】

[1] Big and small Dai: Refers to Dai De, a scholar of the Western Han Dynasty, and his nephew Dai Sheng. [2] Book of Rites: A compilation of speeches on the ritual system, edited by Dai De and compiled into 85 chapters of "The Book of Rites of Da Dai", which was deleted by Dai Sheng later, and compiled into 49 chapters of "Book of Rites of Xiao Dai", namely "Book of Rites of Xiao Dai" "Book of Rites". [3] Preparation: Complete and detailed.

【Translation】

Dai De and Dai Sheng sorted out and annotated the "Book of Rites", passed on and carried forward the works of sages and sages, which provided detailed records for future generations to understand the predecessors' laws and rites and music systems.

[Interpretation]

A large part of Chinese traditional etiquette and morality is still beneficial to this day.The so-called "opening the book is beneficial" also requires a dialectical attitude of "taking the essence and discarding the dross" to learn and inherit.

It is called Guo[1] Feng[2], and Ya[3] Song is called Four Poems, which should be satirized[4].

【Note】

[1] Country: The country sealed by the princes. [2] Wind: folk songs. [3] Ya: Song of Zhengle.It is divided into two parts, "Daya" and "Xiaoya". [4] Allegory: recite, chant.

【Translation】

"Guofeng", "Daya", "Xiaoya" and "Song" are collectively called "Four Poems". The poems are rich in content and deep in emotion, and are worth reciting.

[Interpretation]

"The Book of Songs" is the earliest collection of poems in my country, with a total of [-] chapters. Among them, the familiar "Guanguan Jujiu, in the continent of the river. A fair lady, a gentleman likes a house" begins.Some reflect the living conditions of the people and the thoughts and feelings of the people, and some reflect social customs and ideologies, and so on.

Poetry is dead [1], written in the Spring and Autumn Period, containing [2] praise and criticism [3], not [4] good and evil.

【Note】

[1] Death: disappear. [2] Apartment: sustenance, implied. [3] Praise and criticism: Comments are good or bad. [4] Do not: distinguish.

【Translation】

Due to the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, the trivial words and great righteousness in the "Book of Songs" were also forgotten and neglected, so Confucius wrote "Spring and Autumn", which contained praise and criticism of real politics and the distinction between good and evil behaviors of those in power in various countries. .

[Interpretation]

When Confucius wrote "Spring and Autumn", his pen was very powerful. If the kings and officials at that time were praised by the word "Spring and Autumn", their glory would be nothing more than the emperor's fine clothes; Exceeding the punishment of the emperor.Confucius was extremely particular about his diction, which seemed plain and did not directly express his attitude, but contained praise and criticism, and distinguished good from evil in his tortuous writing style, known as the spring and Autumn writing style.

The three biography[1] includes Gongyang[2], Zuoshi[3] and Guliang[4].

【Note】

[1] Biography: Explanation of the commentary text of the scriptures. [2] Gongyang: "Biography of Gongyang", also known as "Biography of Gongyang in the Spring and Autumn Period", a masterpiece of Gongyang. [3] Zuo Shi: "Zuo Zhuan", also known as "Zuo Shi Chunqiu", written by Zuo Qiuming. [4] Gu Liang: "Biography of Gu Liang", also known as "Biography of Gu Liang in the Spring and Autumn Period", written by Gu Liang Chi.

【Translation】

The three biography is "Gongyang Zhuan" written by Gong Yanggao, "Zuo Zhuan" written by Zuo Qiuming and "Gu Liang Zhuan" written by Gu Liangchi, all of which are books explaining "Spring and Autumn".

[Interpretation]

"Spring and Autumn" was compiled and revised by Confucius based on the history books of Lu State. It is concise and meaningful, and it has a long history, so it is difficult for ordinary people to understand.These three biographies are all books explaining the Spring and Autumn Annals, and people can use them to study and understand the Spring and Autumn Annals.

After [1] is clear, Fang [2] reads [3], summarizes [4] its essentials, and remembers the matter.

【Note】

[1] Jing: refers to the Confucian classics. [2] Fang: Cai, Dang. [3] Zi: The works of various schools of thought. [4] Pick up: pick up.

【Translation】

After reading the scriptures, you can read all kinds of schools of thought.Zishu is complicated, you must choose to summarize the gist of knowledge, and memorize the cause and effect of events.

[Interpretation]

For key historical events, remember its cause and result, which is easier to grasp.One principle must be kept in mind when learning all kinds of knowledge, which is to outline and grasp the main context.

The five sons include Xun[1] Yang[2], Wen Zhongzi[3], and Lao[4] Zhuang[5].

【Note】

[1] Xun: Xunzi, named Kuang, author of "Xunzi". [2] Yang: Yang Xiong, author of the two books "Tai Xuan Jing" and "Fa Yan". [3] Wen Zhongzi: Wang Tong, author of "Yuan Jing" and "Zhong Shuo". [4] Old: Lao Tzu, Li Er, author of "Tao Te Ching". [5] Zhuang: Zhuangzi, named Zhou, author of "Zhuangzi".

【Translation】

The five sons refer to Xunzi, Yangzi, Wen Zhongzi, Laozi and Zhuangzi.The books they wrote are called Zishu.

[Interpretation]

Laozi advocated "governance by doing nothing", his thought is a simple dialectical method, and his theory has a profound influence on the development of Chinese philosophy.Zhuangzi advocated the ideas of "harmony between man and nature" and "peace and inaction". He believed that the Tao gave us our appearance, and the sky gave us our form. We should not damage our nature because of our likes and dislikes.He starts from the complete life of a person to think about what kind of life journey a person should go through, stands in the circle of heaven and on the edge of life to reflect on life, beyond the limitations of any knowledge system and ideology.His philosophy is about life, and his thinking has ultimate meaning.He and Laozi are called "Lao-Zhuang" together, and their philosophical thought system is respected as "Lao-Zhuang philosophy" by the academic circles.

The classics [1] Zi [2] pass, read various histories [3], examine the lineage [4], know the end and the beginning [5].

【Note】

[1]经：儒家经典。[2]子：诸子百家。[3]史：史书。[4]世系：帝王家族世代相承的脉系关系。[5]始终：王朝兴亡的始末。

【Translation】

After you have a thorough understanding of the classics and Zishu, you can study the history books, study the lineage of each dynasty and generation, understand their rise and fall, and learn lessons from history.

[Interpretation]

British philosopher Francis Bacon said: "Reading makes people full, discussion makes people witty, and notes make people accurate. Therefore, those who do not often take notes must have a strong memory, those who do not often discuss must be naturally intelligent, and those who do not often read You must have the skill to deceive the world before you can show your knowledge from ignorance. Reading history makes people wise, reading poetry makes people smart, mathematics makes people thoughtful, science makes people profound, ethics makes people solemn, and the study of logic and rhetoric makes people eloquent .Anyone who learns becomes a character.” He discussed the meaning of reading, and also explained the function of reading history. Reading history is wise. The so-called "the lessons from the future are not far away" and "the lessons learned from the past", history allows us to learn to distinguish what should be learned Lessons learned, which are successful experience models.

From Xixi[1] Nong[2] to Huangdi[3], they are named Sanhuang, ranking in the upper world.

【Note】

[1] Xi: Fuxi, the legendary ancient emperor. [2] Nong: Shennong, the legendary inventor of agriculture and medicine. [3] Yellow Emperor: Xuanyuan clan, the legendary common ancestor of all ethnic groups in the Central Plains.

【Translation】

From Fuxi, Shennong to Xuanyuan Yellow Emperor, the three emperors in ancient times were diligent and caring for the people, and later generations honored them as the "Three Emperors".

[Interpretation]

Ancient times refers to the historical period from the emergence of human beings to the formation of nations, that is, primitive society.Antiquity: The earlier ancient times refer to the periods of Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, and Han in the periodization of Chinese history, and sometimes also refer to the prehistoric era.Middle Ages: The later ancient times, in the periodization of Chinese history, it mostly refers to the periods of Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Sui, and Tang.Ancient: The past is far from the modern era (distinguished from "modern" and "modern").In my country's historical period, it mostly refers to before the middle of the 19th century. 1840 is the dividing line between ancient and modern China.Modern times: refers to the period from the beginning of the Sino-British Opium War (1840) to the May 1919th Movement (1949).Modern: the period from the May [-]th Movement to the founding of the People's Republic of China.Contemporary: after [-] is contemporary.

In Tang[1] Youyu[2], who was named the Second Emperor, was inferior to each other[3], and was called the prosperous age.

【Note】

[1] Tang: Tang Yao, the leader of the tribal alliance in the legendary patrilineal clan society. [2] You Yu: Yu Shun, the legendary ancient emperor. [3] Yixun: abdicate the throne.

【Translation】

After the Yellow Emperor, there were two emperors, Tang Yao and Yu Shun, who chose wise men to abdicate the throne. Under the rule of the two emperors, it was called a peaceful and prosperous age in history.

[Interpretation]

Yao was a very virtuous emperor, and he was highly praised in all historical classics and folklore.He is very respectful and corporal, appoints people on their merits, manages the country and promotes benevolence and justice. He is not only an admirable model of personality, but also a model of a king who governs the country and the world.He abdicated the throne to the virtuous Shun as his successor, passing on the virtuous but not his sons.Of course, Shun lived up to expectations, inherited Yao's spirit, set an example everywhere, made people be good and worthy, practiced good moral character, and achieved the goal of governing the country well.Nowadays, people often use "the day of Yao and Shun" to describe the peaceful and prosperous age, and use "the rule of Yao and Shun" as a model of benevolent government for later generations.

Xia[1] has Yu[2], Shang[3] has Tang[4], and Zhou[5] Wenwu, known as the Three Kings.

【Note】

[1]夏：国号。[2]禹：传说中远古部落联盟的首领夏禹王。[3]商：国号。[4]汤：商王朝的建立者汤王，又称成汤、商汤。[5]周：国号。

【Translation】

The founding monarchs of the Xia Dynasty were Yu, the founding monarchs of the Shang Dynasty were Cheng Tang, and the founding monarchs of the Zhou Dynasty were King Wen and King Wu.These kings with both ability and political integrity are called the "Three Kings" by later generations.

[Interpretation]

Dayu used the method of dredging to control the water, dredged the river, built water conservancy, and channeled the water of the river into the sea, which relieved the flood.Dayu's water control is well-known to all women and children, and his public and selfless spirit in water control has also been recorded in the annals of history for future generations to admire and learn from.Mozi said in "Zhuangzi · Tianxia": "Yu, the great sage." "Zhou Wenwu, called the three kings." It refers to the three kings of Zhou Wenwang, Zhou Gong and Zhou Wuwang.King Wen of Zhou is generally regarded as the founding king of the Zhou Dynasty, while King Wu of Zhou was the first king of the Zhou Dynasty.King Wen of Zhou left material security and spiritual wealth to King Wu of Zhou who succeeded him. Among them, King Zhou Wen's sons Zhou Gongdan and Jiang Taigong came to assist King Zhou Wu.

Xia Chuanzi[1], Jiatianxia[2], Four Hundred Years[3], Qian[4] Xiashe[5].

【Note】

[1] Xia Chuanzi: Xia Yu began to pass the throne to his son. [2] Jiatianxia: Tianxia becomes owned by a family. [3] Contains: Year. [4] Migration: Migration, change. [5] Society: refers to Sheji, the land god and valley god worshiped by ancient emperors and princes, and later refers to the state power.

【Translation】

After Yu passed the throne to his son Qi, the world has since become a family.After more than 400 years, Xia was destroyed by Tang, thus ending the rule of Xia Dynasty.

[Interpretation]

After Dayu, Dayu's son Qi succeeded to the throne, causing the abdication system to withdraw from the historical stage, and Chinese history has since entered the era of family rule.The history of China lasted for thousands of years under the rule of the family. It was not until the national revolution that overthrew the autocratic monarchy and established a republic, the [-] Revolution, that the last Manchu emperor ended. End.

Tang Cutting [1] Xia [2], a national merchant.Six hundred years, until the death of Zhou [3].

【Note】

[1] Cutting: crusade. [2] Xia: King Xia Jie, the last monarch of the Xia Dynasty. [3] Zhou: Shang Zhou, the last king of the Shang Dynasty.

【Translation】

Because Xia Jie was cruel and innocent when he was in power, Cheng Tang attacked him and established the Shang Dynasty.It lasted more than 600 years until King Zhou committed suicide and the country was destroyed.

[Interpretation]

The "Three Character Classic", which undertakes the enlightenment textbook, naturally presents the evolution of history, and each sentence contains rich historical stories.Shang Tang defeated Xia and established the Shang Dynasty and created a brilliant Yin-Shang culture. However, the last Shang Dynasty King Zhou was as cruel and inhumane as King Xia Jie, and was crusaded by the later Zhou Wenwu King, thus ending the Shang Dynasty.History always moves forward in surprisingly similar ways.Since then, Xia Jie and Shang Zhou have also become synonymous with tyrants.

King Wu of Zhou, the first to punish [1] Zhou, eight hundred years [2], the longest.

【Note】

[1] Zhu: to punish, to kill. [2] Eight hundred years: The Zhou Dynasty was divided into the Western Zhou Dynasty and the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, with a total of more than [-] years.

【Translation】

King Wu of Zhou launched an army to attack Shang, and King Zhou committed suicide after his defeat. The Zhou Dynasty has the longest history, lasting more than 800 years.

[Interpretation]

The rise and fall of all dynasties have internal and external reasons.Shang Zhou's cruelty and licentiousness aroused strong dissatisfaction among the vassal states, "a benevolent government must prosper, and a tyrannical government must perish."Second, although the Zhou Dynasty was a vassal state, its agriculture was developed, which meant that the country was strong and provided a material basis for the crusade against Shang Zhou.The history of the Zhou Dynasty is divided into the Western Zhou Dynasty and the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. It was the Western Zhou Dynasty before King You of Zhou was killed, and the Eastern Zhou Dynasty after King Zhou Ping moved his capital to Luoyang to the east.In order to win the smile of his beloved concubine Baosi, King You of Zhou staged the story of "The Wolf Is Coming" in "Fenghuo Opera Princes".When the enemy really came to attack, King Zhou You could no longer recruit the princes by lighting the beacon again. King Zhou You was killed, and the prince Zhou Ping succeeded to the throne.

(End of this chapter)