The Family Instructions of Chu Zi. Enlarged Wisdom of the Worthies

Author: Mu Zi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: "The Family Precepts of Zhu Ziqing" is also known as "The Family Precepts of Zhu Bolu," and is briefly titled "The Family Precepts." The author, Zhu Yongchun, styled Zhiyi, styled Bolu, was a native of Kunshan County, Jiangsu Province, and was born in the 45th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1617). His father, Zhu Jihuang, was a scholar of the late Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yongchun never entered official service. During the Kangxi reign, someone wanted to recommend him to take the examination for the Imperial Academy of Scholars, but he declined and thus avoided it. Throughout his life, he studied the Confucianism of Cheng and Zhu, advocating the simultaneous advancement of knowledge and action. His works include "Supplemented and Corrected Introduction to the I Ching," "Commentaries on the Four Books," "Collected Poems and Prose of Chi Gong Tang," "Collected Works of Kui Ne," "The Family Precepts of Zhu Ziqing," and "Commentaries on the Great Learning and Doctrine of the Mean." Among these, the 506-word "The Family Precepts of Zhu Ziqing" has had the most influence, becoming widely known and household names over the past three hundred years. "The Family Precepts of Zhu Ziqing" takes "self-cultivation" and "family harmony" as its purpose, compiling the essence of Confucian methods for conduct and relationships. Its thoughts are deeply rooted and profound in meaning.