
These compact sayings offer timeless advice on running a household with order and virtue. Drawing on centuries‑old Confucian thought, the author stresses simple routines—rising at dawn, keeping the home clean, and treating food with gratitude—as the foundation of a well‑balanced life. The maxims also warn against excess, urging frugality in dress, meals, and entertainment while highlighting the value of honest labor.
Beyond daily chores, the collection guides relationships within the family, recommending modesty in appearance, respect for elders, and sincere education of children. It stresses compassionate treatment of neighbors, humility in wealth, and restraint in speech, presenting a moral compass for both personal conduct and social interaction. Listeners will find a clear, gentle framework that links personal discipline to broader harmony, making the age‑old wisdom feel relevant today.
Language
zh
Duration
~20 minutes (19K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2007-12-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1617–1689
Best known for a short, memorable guide to family life, this late Ming–early Qing scholar wrote with unusual plainness and moral urgency. His work stayed influential for centuries because it turns everyday habits into lessons about character, discipline, and care for others.
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