Fan Zhongyan’s family heritage perfectly exemplifies that a family’s true wealth lies not in material riches, but in the virtues it cultivates and passes down through generations. Kindness and education are the cornerstones of a lasting legacy, shaping not only individual lives, but the destiny of entire lineages. When a foundation is built on compassion and wisdom, it becomes a force that endures, weathering the trials of time and inspiring those who follow.
As a renowned scholar and statesman of the Northern Song Dynasty, Fan Zhongyan was celebrated for his integrity, selflessness, and dedication to public service — values that he instilled in his family and which shaped their lasting legacy.
In life, nothing surpasses kindness
When Fan Zhongyan was a young boy, he once visited a fortune-teller. As soon as they met, he asked: “Can you tell me if I’ll ever become a prime minister?”
The fortune-teller was taken aback and replied: “You’re so young — how can you speak with such ambition?”
Embarrassed, Fan Zhongyan quickly followed up: “Then could you see if I might become a doctor instead?”
Puzzled, the fortune-teller asked: “Why such a big difference between these two aspirations?”
Fan Zhongyan explained: “Because only a great prime minister or a great doctor can save people.”
Deeply moved by this heartfelt response, the fortune-teller assured him: “With a heart like yours, you are destined to become a prime minister.”
Indeed, Fan Zhongyan later rose to this esteemed position. His deeds were marked by compassion: supporting scholars, reducing taxes, establishing charitable fields, and spreading benevolence far and wide.
As prime minister, Fan Zhongyan purchased thousands of acres of farmland, not for personal gain, but as public assets to relieve the poor of hunger and cold. His descendants inherited his altruistic spirit and sustained this tradition for centuries. Even during wartime, when the charitable fields were destroyed, his fifth-generation descendants, Fan Liangqi and Fan Zhirou, donated their entire estates to restore them.
By planting the seed of kindness in his family, Fan Zhongyan nurtured a great tree of virtue, which sheltered his descendants for generations. From the Song Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty, his family thrived for 800 years without decline.
Kindness stems from a deep sense of compassion within the heart. Over time, this quality becomes ingrained in a person’s character and etched into their expression. A person’s demeanor cannot be faked — those who are kind naturally attract better relationships. People are more willing to help them, making their path in life smoother and more fulfilling.
Kindness is also a moral baseline. Once people lose their sense of kindness, they are more likely to harm others, inviting trouble into their lives. Rather than seeking divine intervention, it is far better to cultivate kindness, as it serves as the best protection a person can have.
Education is the true family legacy
In addition to kindness and good deeds, a family’s prosperity is secured through education and scholarship.
Fan Zhongyan, in his Letter to Zhong She, emphasized the importance of educating children as the key to personal and societal success. He encouraged diligence in learning, urging children to study earnestly and avoid wasting time. He also instilled a sense of ambition, teaching that success in education was the foundation for both personal accomplishments and the ability to serve the public. By nurturing moral character and intellectual growth, Fan Zhongyan highlighted how education could be a pillar of lasting prosperity for future generations.
On one occasion, when his elder brother asked him to use his influence to appoint both of his brother’s sons into official service, Fan Zhongyan firmly refused. He believed his family members should earn their positions through genuine merit to gain respect.
Fan Zhongyan wrote: “Do not neglect farming or reading, for they are the foundation of our family. Never discard even scraps of written text, for they are treasures of the world.” These words became the guiding principle of his family. Under his guidance, his descendants pursued education with vigor, producing ministers and scholars who became legendary figures in their time.
Throughout history, all those who achieved greatness were lovers of learning. In fact, a good book opens the door to boundless knowledge, offering insights into diverse perspectives and the wisdom of great minds. It broadens horizons, nourishes the spirit, and fosters a generous heart and far-reaching vision.
Reading is not only the ladder to personal growth but also the driving force behind a family’s lasting success.
Kindness and learning were Fan Zhongyan’s heirlooms, treasures that enriched his descendants and left an enduring legacy of virtue and wisdom.
Translated by Katy Liu
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