Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture for Children - Volume 1 -- Mencius

Author: Kang Yan Wang Chuan
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Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: Mengzi, also known as Kē, was a native of Zōu during the Warring States period and is considered the representative figure of Confucianism after Confucius. He carried forward Confucius' teachings and expanded them for later generations, earning the posthumous title of "Second Sage." Historically, Confucius and Mengzi are often mentioned together, known as the "Confucian-Mengzi Way." The great scholar Zhu Xi of the Song Dynasty praised Mengzi by saying, "The Six Classics are like a thousand-barrel boat, and Mengzi is the one who steers it." The great Confucian philosopher Cheng Yi believed that Mengzi had reached the pinnacle of learning and that his contributions to Confucianism were immeasurable. Mengzi collects the sayings and teachings of Mengzi and is one of the "Four Books" of Confucian classics. Although the entire book contains only over 30,000 words, it is concise yet profound. Mengzi advocates benevolent governance and the "way of the people," "the people are most important, the state comes second, and the ruler is the lightest," and includes timeless quotes such as "When Heaven intends to bestow great responsibility upon a person, it must first harden their will and exhaust their strength, starve their body," "Those who follow the right path will receive much help, while those who stray will face few," "Respect your elders and extend that respect to others; care for your young and extend that care to others," and "Those who run fifty steps and laugh at those who run a hundred." Mengzi is eloquent, profound in reasoning, and written in beautiful prose, setting the precedent for the development of prose. It has had a profound influence on later generations in both thought and writing. For every child, school exam scores are not important; what matters is cultivating their interest in learning and their ability to think and solve problems through education. The old saying goes, "At three, one's destiny is set." Child psychology research has found that the period from 0 to 13 is the best time for memory in a person's life. During this time, their ability to absorb is like a sponge. If you give them classics, they will absorb them deeply into their hearts. As they grow older, the essence of the classics will gradually ferment within them, and from then on, "walking alongside the classics and associating with the sages" will permeate their entire life! Classics are works that awaken human nature and can open people's wisdom! Classics can reach the deepest parts of a person's soul, cultivating an elegant temperament and a kind and virtuous character! Classical Chinese, or literary language, is the language used in most classics and is a refined, concise, and precise language that has been honed and elevated over thousands of years. In the long history of China's five thousand years of civilization, the classics that have endured to this day are the Five Classics, the Four Books, the Histories, the Philosophies, and the Collections...