Sun Li prose

Author: Sun Li
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Sun Li's life outside of loving books had no other hobbies. His later works were mostly reading-related essays, which were distinctive in style and possessed a strong character. He simply said, "I just feel that I'm old now, and I should say some practical and easily understandable words. When choosing topics, one should be meaningful; when writing, one should be straightforward or brief and to the point." His later essays were often short in length but profound in meaning. "When one reaches old age, I believe that past deeds and the memories they bring—self-reproach or self-pride, joy or sorrow—are true, reliable, and honest—neither self-deceptive nor deceptive of others." I think he even deliberately wanted his writing to resemble Ouyang Xiu's style—"natural, simple, coupled with continuous artistic exploration and refinement, which made his essays so highly regarded during his time and respected by later generations."