Colorful Image Classics / Guwen Guanzhi

Author: Wu Chucai (Qing Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-11
Features:
All human beings are naturally averse to death and eager for life, remembering their parents and caring for their wives and children. Those who are deeply moved by righteousness are an exception, as they are driven by circumstances they cannot avoid. Now, I am (unlucky), having lost my parents at an early age and having no brothers or close kin. I stand alone, without support. How do you, Xiaoqing, view me in comparison to your wife and children? Moreover, a brave person does not necessarily die for their cause, while a timid man, if moved by righteousness, can strive for it in any place! Although I am timid and wish to live on, I have a fair understanding of right and wrong. How could I possibly sink into the humiliation of prison? Even a slave or a maid can still make a decision to end their life. How much more so am I, driven by circumstances I cannot avoid? The reason I endure and live on in the filth and darkness of prison without complaint is that I regret not fulfilling my private aspirations, and I fear that my humble and limited talents will not be recognized by future generations. In the past, the rich and noble often faded into obscurity, their names forgotten, countless in number. Only the extraordinary and remarkable individuals are remembered. For example, the Western King was imprisoned and wrote the Book of Changes; Confucius was in dire straits and composed the Spring and Autumn Annals; Qu Yuan was exiled and wrote the Li Sao; Zuo Qiuming lost his sight and authored the Records of the States; Sun Tzu lost his leg and compiled the Art of War; Li Si was exiled to Shu and the Lü Shu was passed down through the ages; Han Feizi was imprisoned in Qin and wrote the Sayings of Difficulties and the Solitary Anguish. The Book of Songs consists of three hundred poems, most of which were composed by sages and scholars in their moments of frustration. These individuals all had thoughts that were stifled, unable to express their ideas openly. Therefore, they recounted past events and reflected on the future. Just as Zuo Qiuming was blind and Sun Tzu had his leg amputated, they were ultimately of no use. They retired to study books and writings, venting their frustrations and leaving behind written works to reveal themselves to the world.