China Through Its Classics

Our people have endured and flourished among the nations of the world because generation after generation of our sages distilled their culture, spirit, and character into bamboo slips, onto paper, and between the lines. Generation after generation of Chinese descendants have turned to classic texts for strength to move forward, passing the torch from one generation to the next. Classics should not be left to gather dust on high shelves. That is why China Through the Classics selects works from the twenty-four histories compiled throughout the dynasties, examining them through four lenses: “cultural sages,” “emperors and ministers,” “remarkable women,” and “kindred spirits among the literati.” It explores the people and events of history, making these texts accessible and inspiring modern readers to love history and our traditional culture. Reading more classics can broaden the length and breadth of our lives as individuals. For our nation, it can deepen our cultural roots and pass the spirit of the Chinese people down through the generations. Emperors and ministers: rulers and their advisors face off in a world of intrigue, offering lessons in the fate of dynasties. The historical records of China devote many pages to these figures. Their stories offer lessons for us today, or serve as warnings. They include legendary emperors whose legacies are both praised and condemned, and devoted rulers who longed for one true love to remain by their side until they grew old. Some served their rulers wholeheartedly; others were lost in their own disguises. Different in character and status, they were either brilliant partners who shaped the world and brought out the best in each other, or two-faced ministers who manipulated people and turned on one another. Every conversation and every decision influenced the course of history and the fate of a dynasty. Literary sages: thought and art, the passing down of culture, and a feast of civilization across the long river of history. Chinese culture is inseparable from the Hundred Schools of Thought and their many intellectual traditions. It lives in music, painting, poetry, and prose, hidden between the lines and rooted in the hearts of Chinese people. It subtly shapes the way they think and act. Historical records have always placed great importance on sages, ideas, and art. These records form the foundation of Chinese culture today and will be passed on to future generations. Kindred spirits among the literati: brilliant writing and free-spirited grace, seeking spiritual depth amid worldly splendor. Indifference to fame and fortune, humility and grace: these are the marks of a true gentleman. The lofty aspirations of Bo Ya and Zhong Ziqi, and the friendship of Yuan Zhen and Bai Juyi, embody the longing for a kindred spirit. Regardless of rank or status, the pursuit of self-cultivation and a meeting of souls is the ultimate dream of Chinese literati, and a remedy for the turmoil of a glittering world. Remarkable women: women in fine dress are no less than men, in a song of praise that spans the ages. Chinese women are an indelible part of history. Independent, courageous, and full of ideas, they cannot be confined to a single image. They possessed the talent to compose poetry, the strength to stand alongside men, and the force of will to usher in an age of prosperity. Born in different dynasties and constrained by feudal customs, they nevertheless carried the conviction of equality in their blood from birth. Tear off the labels, and boldly prove to the world: who says women are inferior to men?