
A centuries‑old family manual, this work opens with a humble scholar’s pledge to preserve his household’s moral compass. Drawing on Confucian classics, it lays out clear counsel for raising children, nurturing brotherly ties, and handling the delicate affairs of remarriage and household governance. The author’s voice is intimate yet authoritative, recalling his own youthful missteps and the stern guidance of elder siblings that shaped his character.
Through vivid anecdotes and straightforward maxims, the text offers practical lessons on restraint in speech, the importance of modest living, and the balance between compassion and discipline. It treats everyday matters—such as sharing meals, managing servants, and confronting family discord—with the same reverence reserved for lofty philosophical doctrine, making ancient wisdom feel immediate and applicable.
Listeners will hear a living portrait of early Chinese family life, where the pursuit of virtue is woven into the fabric of daily routine, inviting reflection on how timeless principles can still inform modern relationships and personal conduct.
Language
zh
Duration
~11 minutes (11K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
531–591
A scholar and government official who lived through some of the most turbulent years of early medieval China, he is best remembered for writing Family Instructions for the Yan Clan, a practical and deeply human guide to learning, conduct, and family life.
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