Color Version 60 Family Letters You Should Read in Your Lifetime

Author: Fu Lei, Ernest Hemingway
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: 60 Family Letters You Should Read in Your Lifetime – Do You Know Which Ones? The 60 family letters selected in this book are diverse in form and style, condensing rich, sincere, and warm emotions. They are excellent in both thoughtfulness and artistry, offering readers a powerful emotional impact and profound wisdom. Through sections like "Selection Rationale," "Author Biography," "Letter Appreciation," and "Related Links," the book analyzes renowned works from multiple angles, helping readers improve their reading efficiency. Over 300 illustrations vividly depict the letters, creating a colorful, three-dimensional, and culturally enchanting reading space. It inspires rational thinking, enhances literary literacy, cultivates intellectual temperament, and elevates personal taste. Immersed in classics, you will gain boundless insights.
Reading a certain number of outstanding family letters in one’s lifetime allows one to appreciate the linguistic beauty and thoughtfulness of the works while understanding history and culture, learning life philosophies, life experiences, and wisdom. It also enables sharing the joys, sorrows, and emotions freely flowing within, experiencing the most genuine and sincere human feelings.
The editor has carefully selected 60 classic family letters from an ocean of works, complemented with exquisite images and appreciative text that align with the content, creating a colorful, three-dimensional, and culturally captivating reading space. This allows readers to enjoy the artistic charm of outstanding family letters from around the world while gaining more aesthetic pleasure, imaginative space, and humanistic enlightenment.
Original Appreciation
My dear child, you have been away from home for over half a month now. I have not forgotten you for a single day. Parents’ love for their children is boundless, and I long to be with you every moment. However, I must insist on sending you away because I want you to study diligently and excel, becoming a pillar of the nation and a talented individual.
At present, the country is in turmoil, foreign invaders are pouring in, borders are repeatedly lost, and the interior is also in danger. The path to revitalization lies in governance. While there are many ways to govern, training soldiers is the most fundamental. Since childhood, you have loved to play, and whenever your teacher left the study, you would jump around, laugh, and act up in every possible way. Fortunately, the imperial examinations have been abolished early, otherwise, you would have ended your days as a mediocre scholar, never achieving greatness or becoming a figure of honor in the imperial court. Thus, as soon as schools were established, I sent you there. At the time, many elders disapproved, but I was certain of your temperament—I knew you were not cut out for the imperial examinations. Despite all difficulties, I sent you to school, and indeed, except for physical education, you made no progress.
I passed the imperial examinations in my youth, proud of my status as an elite scholar, but seeing you like this truly fills me with frustration and shame. Yet, the world is full of hardships, and learning martial arts is also a good path. Therefore, I sent you to Japan to study at the Imperial Japanese Military Academy, which aligns with your nature. Now that you are there, you must strive to excel and master all its knowledge. Do not fear hard work, do not rely on your status, and cultivate a brave and resolute spirit to become a true soldier. Your future has no limits, and the country is in need of warriors. Your only concern should be your own ability to stand on your own, not whether others recognize you. Remember this, remember this—do not forget, do not forget.
Additionally, I have another piece of advice for you. While you are with me in Hubei and Hunan, you are the son of the Viceroy, and everyone treats you with great respect. But now, you are thousands of miles away from home. The arrogance you have carried with you will no longer serve you. If an accident occurs, it will only bring sorrow to your parents. From now on, you should regard yourself as a poor man and a lowly soldier, working hard at what you have learned. This will not only benefit your studies but also temper your body and mind. Even if you graduate and obtain a position under my protection later, you will understand the hardships of the common people and avoid arrogance.
I am past fifty, holding the rank of a first-class official with a reputation that has spread far and wide, yet I remain vigilant and fear no indulgence. You have been with me for a long time and must have learned from me. Do not think of yourself as the son of nobility and act carelessly. This is not what I hope for you—be cautious. Pay attention to the changing seasons and avoid actions like gambling or associating with immoral people. Even if no one finds out, these habits will waste your energy and distract you from your studies. If they are discovered, or worse, if Japanese officials refuse to release you, where would my reputation be? You may not care, but what about me? You must eliminate these habits at all costs—take this to heart, take this to heart!
I am in good health, and everyone at home is well. There is no need to worry. Focus on your studies and do not chase after external distractions. If you continue to improve day by day, my heart will be at ease, and my body will be strong.
Father Tao writes on the 19th day of the fifth month.
P19-20