" The Wisdom of the State: Stories and Sayings "

Author: Zhang Shuqie
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: "The Guan Zi" is a comprehensive work rich in content, covering various aspects such as politics, economy, military, and law, and is often referred to as an encyclopedia-like book. In "The Guan Zi," economic thought holds a particularly prominent position. Two-thirds of the book's chapters deal with economic issues, while one-third are dedicated solely to them. Moreover, the book offers profound insights into economic matters, which is rare in traditional Chinese classics. Traditionally, China has viewed agriculture as the foundation and commerce as a secondary industry, often favoring agriculture while suppressing commerce. However, "The Guan Zi" argues that both agriculture and industry/commerce are sources of wealth and should be vigorously developed. "The Guan Zi" is a rich and profound work, highly worthy of study and research. Guided by the principle of "making the past serve the present," we have selected some insightful and meaningful quotes from the book to introduce to you, aiming to grasp its ideological essence and serve the construction of contemporary spiritual civilization. In selecting the quotes, we strive for completeness, comprehensiveness, and high intellectual value. We also provide interpretations of the key messages of the quotes, complemented by relevant stories that primarily draw from examples, legends, and myths found in the quotes.