Live History (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Shi Kejian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: As the saying goes, "One lamp can dispel a thousand years of darkness, one wisdom can extinguish ten thousand years of folly." Humanity's longing for wisdom has endured since ancient times. Knowledge broadens wisdom, and wisdom enables strategic thinking. Studying history makes one intelligent and more insightful. Chinese history is long and profound, with centuries of dramatic events shaping rich life wisdom. Every figure who once played a role on the historical stage left their mark, which is an invaluable treasure for us. Drawing wisdom from history should not be limited to admiring the heroic figures or the brilliant scholars; the lives of cunning strategists, treacherous villains, and deceitful individuals should also not be overlooked. They provide different perspectives to deepen our understanding of history and reveal the wisdom hidden within.
Understanding the wisdom of great men can increase our courage in facing crises and enhance our adaptability in changing circumstances, allowing us to maintain the initiative and turn passive situations into active ones, forever remaining unvanquished. Recognizing the wisdom of petty men enables us to see through their schemes and prepare for countermeasures, because only by using their own methods against them can we succeed in dealing with cunning conspirators. Throughout human history, there are often astonishingly similar scenes. When we experience similar situations in different contexts, we may gain our own wisdom.
Drawing wisdom from history requires personal life experiences and a connection to society and oneself. Only by studying history can we enhance our wisdom, move beyond theoretical discussions, and achieve the ability to "have a thousand years of history in mind and a thousand rivers flowing from the pen." The base of the Pharaoh statue in the famous Luxor Temple in Egypt is inscribed with the words, "I see yesterday, I know tomorrow," which perfectly illustrates the principle of learning from the past to understand the present. "The bright moon still shines through the green window, but the ancient records are empty." Time is eternal, and history is a vast river of time. The Chinese, with their abundant historical records, can draw even more wisdom from it.
History often presents astonishingly similar scenes, repeated across generations, proving that history has left us enough wisdom to last a lifetime. To truly benefit from it, we must adapt with the times and change with the circumstances, becoming wise individuals who understand the world and human nature. As the saying goes, "One lamp can dispel a thousand years of darkness, one wisdom can extinguish ten thousand years of folly." Mr. Shi Kejian and Yan Yuxin have immersed themselves in ancient history for many years and have grasped its essence. With a writing style reminiscent of A. L. Rowse, they narrate the stories of Chinese wise strategists. Reading this book is not just a pleasant journey but also an enjoyable exploration of wisdom.