Great People, Small Stories · Artists

Author: Yan Xuzhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Throughout history, how many heroes, outstanding talents, and extraordinary figures have emerged in the world! Among them, some had grand visions, sacrificing their families for the nation and the people's well-being; some were both martial and literary, invincible in battle, and the bravest of the brave; some were extraordinary and wise, knowledgeable in all fields, and full of wisdom; some were cunning and eloquent, capable of stabilizing the state; some could compose poetry in seven steps, write books, and leave behind a legacy of works; some were versatile and possessed unique skills, standing out from the ordinary; some were ingenious and inventive, bringing benefits to humanity; some were erudite and tireless in teaching, setting an example for others; some roamed the world, facing danger and hardship, daring to be the first; some endured humiliation and worked hard to achieve success, building businesses through perseverance. These outstanding individuals, who achieved great accomplishments and left a lasting legacy, are the politicians, military leaders, thinkers, diplomats, writers, artists, scientists, educators, explorers, and entrepreneurs that people admire. The brilliance of their achievements in their respective fields all has its own reasons. Whether it was diligence and learning, enduring hardship, or frugality and perseverance, or modesty and courage in exploration, their success depended on their strong psychological qualities and noble moral character. Their success was built on sweat and tears. Their success is filled with countless moving stories. These people are geniuses, strong individuals, celebrities, giants, sages, "supermen," and (great figures), the so-called "big people" we often mention. They not only left behind immeasurable material wealth for future generations but also bestowed upon us endless spiritual strength. They are the objects of people's admiration and the role models for people to learn from. As the saying goes, "The power of role models is infinite." "Near ink, black; near vermilion, red," and this is the very principle. Mencius' mother moved three times to find a good neighbor for her son, precisely to find a good role model. Here, we have collected short stories of over 1,000 great figures from 10 different fields. These great figures, though (great figures) and giants, are also ordinary people, mortals. They have experiences similar to ordinary people. They have the seven emotions and six desires, joys and sorrows, successes and failures. They have once been wealthy beyond measure and have also been penniless. They have once been invincible and have also been defeated. They have been respected and have also been laughed at. There are many such vivid and interesting stories about them. Most of these stories are based on historical facts, with added descriptions; some are abridged from biographies; and some are adapted from news reports. These stories write about the political geniuses' grand strategies and their hidden wisdom; the military leaders' willingness to die for their cause and their filial piety; the diplomats' righteous indignation and their willingness to compromise; the thinkers' profound insights and their pursuit of life; the artists' diligence and their moral and artistic excellence; the educators' extensive knowledge and their humility in learning; the writers' creative struggles and their wonderful ideas; the scientists' painstaking efforts and their experiences of failure; the explorers' courage and their meticulousness; the entrepreneurs' generosity and their meticulous planning. These stories are like brilliant dewdrops, crystal clear and sparkling, reflecting the dazzling light of these great figures. This is the charm of character! This is the power of character! This is our role model. We have written these short stories about great figures, showcasing their spiritual demeanor before you. Young friends, after reading these stories, you can gain knowledge, be inspired, understand the ways of the world, and learn how to be a person. May you, young friends, also become great figures!