The Vegetarian's Manual. The Solitary Window. The Dreams of the Solitary Dreamer -- Basic Collection of Chinese Family Classics

Author: Lü Xiaozhuang (Annotations)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-02-01
Features: To yield a step in dealing with others is noble; retreating is the foundation of progress. To be lenient to others by one degree is a blessing; benefiting others is ultimately benefiting oneself. Unperturbed by praise or disgrace, watch the flowers bloom and fall before your courtyard; indifferent to coming and going, let the clouds roll in and out in the distance. — The Root of Vegetables If you are cursed by vicious youths or scolded by a harsh wife, it is better to be deaf. — Shadow of a Dream If the Hundred Schools of Thought in Qin were the source of classical Chinese prose, then after the development and expansion during the Han, Wei, Six Dynasties, Tang, and Song periods, by the Ming and Qing dynasties, with the changes in society, classical prose gradually entered its final phase. The "small essays" produced during this period focused on life, social conduct, and personal interests—appreciating characters, objects, people, events, literature, flowers, wine, tea, and hobbies, among others. The language was concise, the writing straightforward, embedding profound philosophy in simple examples, insightful and incisive. The Root of Vegetables, The Solitary Window, and Shadow of a Dream can be considered representative works of this period's "small essays." The book advises people to keep one eye open in life, not to be foolish; to achieve great success, one must be unconventional; and since troubles are everywhere in life, only by being transcendent and detached can one enjoy the taste and elegance that writers possess. The joys and sorrows, honors and disgraces in life are sometimes very subtle, almost indistinguishable. Each person has their own understanding of joy and sorrow. What matters most in life is adjusting one's mindset, viewing prosperity and wealth with a calm heart, neither envying others nor laughing at their lack. The maxims and profound sayings in The Solitary Window cover a wide range of topics, touching on various aspects of society and life. Some are profound, requiring deep reflection to understand; others are subtle and evocative, leaving a lasting impression; others are full of charm, making them enjoyable to read. Therefore, these three books are considered essential reading for "Chinese self-cultivation and refinement."