Wang Meng's Autobiography: My Life Philosophy

Author: Wang Meng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: A legendary life with multi-focal perspectives, wise sayings with high emotional intelligence
For young people: He will tell you how to choose a solemn life and strive for success
For middle-aged people: He will tell you how to go through the storms of life and create a paradise
For the elderly: He will tell you how to perform the philosophy of twilight and enjoy the late autumn of life
—What is the philosophy of life? Can the philosophy of life be discussed?
There’s an old saying, "Heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed," and another, "It can only be understood, not spoken of." In Buddhism, it’s said, "It cannot be spoken." Confucius was more accommodating, but still insisted on "speaking without writing." Why? Yes, the philosophy of life—this is a heavenly secret, a thunderous revelation, a "secret," a result of the price paid with a bloody head. How could it be spoken of in ordinary terms! How could it be expressed in words!
—To talk about life, one must do so earnestly and openly, dedicating oneself to teaching, called "coming forward." But the author of the novel does not need to avoid this. So, to dedicate oneself to teaching is to say, "If I do not go to hell, who will?" It is to say, "The hell is not empty until I become a Buddha." It is to be clear and transparent, accepting scrutiny. The harder the task, the more necessary it is to do it. If one does not speak, what about the common people? What about the tough writing? Who else can do it but me?
At the age of nearly 14, the author joined the underground Communist Party organization while singing songs by Xian Xinghai. After the Communist Party of China came to power, however, he was labeled a rightist for a single work. A young writer personally protected by Mao Zedong could have easily avoided this fate, yet he chose to move his family to Xinjiang, a place of exile since ancient times, where he stayed for 16 years. After the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Party, this man who had dominated Chinese literature for half a lifetime overnight became the "Minister of Culture" of the People’s Republic of China.
Now, this man, though over 70, with an "unaged heart," has, starting with Youth Will Never Age, after 48 years of writing more than ten million words of literary works, summarized his life’s experiences and insights, exploring and revealing the great truths of life. This is not just writing but also another harvest of life’s golden autumn, and more importantly, an fulfillment of life’s sense of responsibility, social responsibility, and historical responsibility. Strictly speaking, the author is not writing with a pen but with his life, with dialectical thinking, and with his blood. He has been writing for 4 years, showing his rigorous and serious attitude. What is even more valuable is that despite being a world-renowned writer with many titles, he does not use them to intimidate people but instead engages in heartfelt exchanges with readers in an equal, even innocent, manner. In his gentle and conversational tone, though sometimes not without passion, excitement, or indignation, he tells the truth of what he has thought and understood. He never gives up on the wisdom and ideals of life’s philosophy, but he also avoids empty rhetoric. Whether discussing small matters or the great way, he speaks of the truths of life. Everything is based on survival, set against the backdrop of life, armed with philosophy, and analyzed with scientific and flexible methods. He explains the problems many people encounter in their lives with a realistic, objective, and dynamic attitude, and creatively introduces many profound concepts and categories of life. Thus, calling it The Philosophy of Life is fully justified.
The book also includes over 20 excellent essays previously written by the author on the theme of life, listed as the twelfth part, serving as a supplement to the author’s consistent philosophy. We believe that the publication of this book will inject a refreshing stream into the current book market filled with various life-related readings. We hope readers can gain wisdom from it, engage more effectively and healthily in great causes and life, and achieve enlightenment, maturity, happiness, and success.
This book is nearly a collection of essays. In it, Wang Meng combines his decades of experience to analyze the various stages of life and share the principles of living in the world. The book has less than 200,000 words and 11 chapters, both in content and structure, showing that it is a highly readable and deeply relevant work.
Joined the Communist Party at 14 years old;
Wrote Youth Will Never Age at 19 years old;
Young writer personally protected by Mao Zedong;
"Exiled" to Xinjiang for 16 years;
Eighth Minister of Culture of the People’s Republic of China;
Works translated into over 20 languages;
Winner of the Mondello International Literature Prize;
My Life’s Main Line;
Why Did I Not Commit Suicide?
My 21 Interpersonal Principles;
Getting Into Disputes Is a Great Tragedy;
The Best Interpersonal Relationship Is "To Forget";
"Learning" Is Better Than "Knowing How to Learn";
The Best Thing Is the Tongue, and the Worst Thing Is?
People Compare, and It Annoys Them. Or Maybe Learn from Laozi;
"Bravely" Showing Off Is Better Than "Showing" Real Talent;
What’s Most Important in Life Is Knowing What Not to Do;
When You Want to Win Too Much, You Might Lose;
Don’t Think You Are the Standard;
Remember: You Can Never Control All the "Points";
Waiting: A Positive Concept That Cannot Be Stolen.