Moral Classics - 800 Proverbs of Chinese Traditional Virtues

Author: Wei Jinfeng, Tang Jijun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: Chinese traditional culture is a vast and comprehensive whole, carrying the fundamental value pursuits of the Chinese nation and embodying its national spirit with unique ethnic characteristics. In terms of ancient Chinese traditional culture, values such as resilience and self-improvement, magnanimity and responsibility, respect for harmony, benevolence towards people, self-cultivation for the well-being of others, prioritizing righteousness, unity of heaven and humanity, and the primacy of the whole—all reflect the cultural spirit of that era, such as the spirit of relentless self-improvement, profound patriotism, broad-minded unity, noble sentiments of virtue and righteousness, the ideal pursuit of a cultural China, and the qualities of diligence and bravery, etc. These fundamental values embody the mainstream ethos of Chinese traditional culture, reflect the characteristics of Chinese ethnic culture, and represent the national identity of the Chinese people. Filial piety involves obeying and respecting parents, repaying kindness with labor, a son's duty to care for parents, following their wishes, and fulfilling one's moral obligations; fraternal piety involves deep sibling affection, respecting elder brothers and younger brothers, and maintaining harmonious sibling relationships; loyalty involves fulfilling responsibilities with dedication, steadfastness in duty, sincerity in service, dedicating oneself to the nation, and being upright and selfless; trustworthiness involves keeping promises and being practical, speaking and acting with integrity, valuing one's word as gold, and being honest without doubt; etiquette involves adhering to moral norms, maintaining purity and avoiding greed, finding joy in contentment, upholding high moral standards, and practicing frugality; shame involves guarding against selfish desires, recognizing disgrace in oneself, not coveting wealth and beauty, finding joy in contentment, and knowing what brings shame; benevolence involves universal love in accordance with the way of heaven, avoiding harm to others, extending love to oneself and others, showing compassion for all things, and broadly following human morality; wisdom involves intelligence and discernment, striving for knowledge, broadening one's understanding, examining right and wrong, and motivating oneself to persevere.