Harmony: A Precious Element in Traditional Chinese Culture

In the long history of Chinese civilization, harmony has always been a highly valued virtue. Chinese people have always put an emphasis on harmony. It encompasses the fundamental principles of nature, society, and humanity. It is also a prerequisite for cultivating one’s morality, protecting one’s family, governing one’s nation, and stabilizing the world. Harmony is ...

Armin Auctor

A bird sitting on a branch.

A Fascinating Overview of Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism

Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism are the three pillars of Chinese philosophy and have influenced all thinking and actions in China since their inception. Confucianism Confucianism is represented by Confucius (founder, 551-479 B.C.), Mencius, and Xunzi. Literary works include The Analects, the Mencius, and the Xunzi. It is the first important philosophy from the Warring States ...

Max Lu

A statue of Conficius.

We Are in the Midst of an Ethical Crisis

It seems we are now in the midst of an ethical crisis. Ethics is the discipline relating to right and wrong. This discipline constitutes moral obligations, moral principles and values, and moral character. Ethics and morality are synonymous terms, meaning “customs” in their original Greek and Latin languages. The Greek term “ethics,” however, also implies ...

Jack Roberts

Book of ethics by Aristotle, translated by J.A.K. Thomson, black cover with gold embossing.

Story Behind the Famous Chinese Phrase: Zengzi Kills the Pig

Zengzi, a Chinese philosopher and student (scholar) of Confucius, was well known and often quoted in connection with one of the most famous Chinese phrases: Zengzi kills the pig. This is a story about teaching children to be honest and trustworthy. One day, Zengzi’s wife was about to go shopping when her little son grabbed ...

Yao

Closeup of a large pig in a pasture.