Three Character Classic : San Zi Jing 三字经
The three character classic introduces many new characters and was learned by heart by children over many centuries in China. It formed the first step towards becoming a scholar and taking the Imperial Examinations. The piece contains many elements of culture and history, following the Confucian doctrine. It is divided into three character groups in blocks of four, 12 characters in each section. The characters follow a rhythmic structure to be spoken out loud by the whole class. It dates from the Song dynasty (around 1280CE) and is attributed to Wang Yinglin ➚ or Ou Shizi ➚. The historical section was updated over the centuries to reflect the rise of new dynasties. The Taipings during their rebellion produced their own version of the classic substituting Christian for Confucian doctrine.
It fell into decline in the twentieth century when new teaching practices were introduced, during the Cultural Revolution it was suppressed along with the other ancient classics. Recently some families have encouraged their children to learn it as a good basic language primer.
The most common English translation seen on the Internet and in books is the one written by the English Chinese scholar Herbert Giles ➚ dating from 1910. To a modern audience this translation seems old-fashioned and so we have provided a new translation that in places is closer to the original and avoids archaic English terms that are not well understood. The classic was intended for boys only, in places I have watered down the rather negative tone towards girls and women that was prevalent when it was written.
The three character classic consists of a number of sections: importance of learning; basics of numbers and nature; moral code; learning the classics; a comprehensive dynastic history and further examples and admonishment of the need to study hard. It is carefully written to introduce frequently used characters that are useful in everyday life.
人之初rén zhī chū,
性本善xìng běn shàn,People are born good natured.
性相近xìng xiāng jìn,
习相远xí xiāng yuǎn.Their characters are similar but develop differently.
The Confucian view that people at heart are of good intent is the striking and pleasing opening, the other theme is that only by studying hard can you remain good pervades the piece. The Roman Catholic Augustinian doctrine ➚ runs counter to this as it teaches of original sin and propensity to evil that only Christianity can stave off.
苟不教gǒu bù jiāo,
性乃迁xìng nǎi qiān,If not taught, their nature changes
教之道jiāo zhī dào,
贵以专guì yǐ zhuān.The principle to be taught is that total concentration is needed.
昔孟母xī mèng mǔ,
择邻处zé lín chù,When Mencius's mother chose a home
子不学zǐ bù xué,
断机杼duàn jī zhù.Her son did not learn so she broke her loom.
The story is abbreviated so much that it hard to understand. The great Confucian philosopher Mencius is held up as the first example of why study is important. The story is that his mother moved house three times just to find the best place (according to Feng Shui and so on) for her son to study. To demonstrate to him the folly of laziness and lack of concentration she deliberated wrecked the cloth she was weaving.
窦燕山dòu yàn shān,
有义方yǒu yì fāng,Dou of Yanshan had the correct method
教五子jiāo wǔ zǐ,
名俱扬míng jù yáng.He taught five sons, all raised the family's prestige.
Dou Yujin ➚ lived at Yanshan in the Five Dynasties period and raised five sons who all passed the Imperial Examinations and became important officials - known as the Five dragons of Yanshan (Yanshan Wulong). The five sons are often depicted in paintings to symbolize the wish for academic success.
养不教yǎng bù jiāo,
父之过fù zhī guò,To nurture without teaching is the father's fault
教不严jiāo bù yán,
师之惰shī zhī duò.To not teach sternly is the teacher's laziness.
子不学zǐ bù xué,
非所宜fēi suǒ yí,For a child to neglect study is inappropriate
幼不学yòu bù xué,
老何为lǎo hé wéi.If he does not study when young, what will he become when old?
玉不琢yù bù zhuó,
不成器bù chéng qì,Jade that is not fashioned is of no use.
This phrase is used widely as a proverb for anyone in need of education and training. A rough block of jade needs lengthy cutting and polishing before it becomes a thing of beauty.
人不学rén bù xué,不知义bù zhī yì.People who have not studied, cannot know honor
为人子wéi rén zǐ,
方少时fāng shǎo shí,A child must behave honestly when young.
亲师友qīn shī yǒu,
习礼仪xí lǐ yí.Learn from parents and teachers to study good manners.
香九龄xiāng jiǔ líng,
能温席néng wēn xíXiang aged nine would warm (his parent's) bed
孝于亲xiào yú qīn,
所当执suǒ dāng zhí.Respect for parents ought to be observed.
Huang Xiang ➚ is the first of several selfless examples of duty to parents used in this piece. In this case he lay in his father's bed so it would be warm for him. It comes from the classic book “The Twenty-Four Examples of Filial Piety ➚”. Huang grew up to become an influential Imperial official.
融四岁róng sì suì,
能让梨néng ràng lí,Rong aged four gave up the (larger) pears
弟于长dì yú zhǎng,
宜先知yí xiān zhī.Act as a junior to an elder, should be the foremost thing to know.
Kong Rong ➚ is another example of filial devotion. He was a descendent of Confucius and rather than selfishly keep the larger pears for himself, he gave them to his elder brothers and mother. He grew up to be a politician in the Han dynasty. Note that Chinese ages start at 1 so by Western conventions he was aged only three.
首孝弟shǒu xiào dì,
次见闻cì jiàn wén,Start with due obedience; next is knowledge
知某数zhī mǒu shù,
识某文shí mǒu wén.Know the numbers, know some culture.
一而十yī ér shí,
十而百shí ér bǎi,One and so to ten, ten and so to a hundred
百而千bǎi ér qiān,
千而万qiān ér wàn.A hundred and so to a thousand, One thousand and so on to Ten thousand.
三才者sān cái zhě,
天地人tiān dì rén,The three powers are Heaven, Earth and People
三光者sān guāng zhě,
日月星rì yuè xīng.The three lights are the sun, moon and stars.
三者sān gāng zhě,
君臣义jūn chén yì,The three guiding principles are justice of the ruler
父子亲fù zǐ qīn,
夫妇顺fū fù shùn.Love for father, wife follows husband.
The main principles of Confucian duty and responsibility.
曰春夏yuē chūn xià,
曰秋冬yuē qiū dōng,Of spring and summer, of autumn and winter
此四时cǐ sì shí,
运不穷yùn bù qióng.The seasons march on endlessly.
曰南北yuē nán běi,
曰西东yuē xī dōng,Of north and south, of west and east
此四方cǐ sì fāng,
应乎中yìng hū zhōng.All directions depend on the center.
In China center or middle is treated as a direction, so there are five directions in all.
曰水火yuē shuǐ huǒ,
木金土mù jīn tǔ,Of water and fire, wood, metal and earth
此五行cǐ wǔ xíng,
本乎数běn hū shù.These five elements originate in numbers.
The elemental essences had a great impact on Chinese science and are widely used in Feng Shui.
曰仁义yuē rén yì,
礼智信lǐ zhì xìn,Of benevolence and honor, courtesy, wisdom and truth
此五常cǐ wǔ cháng,
不容紊bù róng wěn.These five virtues must not fall into disarray.
稻粱菽dào liáng shū,
麦黍稷mài shǔ jì,Rice, fine millet, beans, wheat, glutinous millet and common millet
此六谷cǐ liù gǔ,
人所食rén suǒ shí.These six grains are what people eat.
马牛羊mǎ niú yáng,
鸡犬豕jī quǎn shǐHorses, cattle, sheep, fowl, dogs and pigs
此六畜cǐ liù chù,
人所饲rén suǒ sì.These six animals are reared by people.
This does suggest that dogs were raised for meat quite widely in ancient China.
曰喜怒yuē xǐ nù,
曰哀惧yuē āi jù,Of joy and anger, of sorrow and fear
爱恶欲ài è yù,
七情具qī qíng jù.Love, evil and desire. These are the seven emotions.
匏土革páo tǔ gé,
木石金mù shí jīn,Gourd, clay, leather, wood, stone, metal
与丝竹yǔ sī zhú,
乃八音nǎi bā yīn.Together with silk and bamboo make the eight musical instruments.
Musical instruments are classified by the material they are made from.
高曾祖gāo zēng zǔ,
父而身fù ér shēn,Great-great grandfather, great grandfather, grandfather, father as well as myself
身而子shēn ér zǐ,
子而孙zǐ ér sūn.Myself and child, child as well as grandchild.
自子孙zì zǐ sūn,
至元曾zhì yuán zēng,From child, grandchild to great-grandchild
乃九族nǎi jiǔ zú,
人之伦rén zhī lún.These nine generations form the family relationships.
父子恩fù zǐ ēn,
夫妇从fū fù cóng,Kindness between father and child, Wife following husband
兄则友xiōng zé yǒu,
弟则恭dì zé gōng.Friendship from elder brothers, respect from younger brothers.
长幼序zhǎng yòu xù,
友与朋yǒu yǔ péng,Older and younger in order, friend with friend
君则敬jūn zé jìng,
臣则忠chén zé zhōng.Respect from rulers, loyalty from the people.
此十义cǐ shí yì,
人所同rén suǒ tóng.These ten obligations are common to all people.
凡训蒙fán xùn méng,
须讲究xū jiǎng jiū,When teaching the ignorant, they must pay particular attention
详训诂xiáng xùn gǔ,
明句读míng jù dòu.Painstakingly study the classics, understand the structure.
Classical Chinese text does not use punctuation marks, so it is tricky to understand classic literature without knowing the 'structure'.
为学者wéi xué zhě,
必有初bì yǒu chū,Those who wish to become scholars, must have a beginning.
小学终xiǎo xué zhōng,
至四书zhì sì shū.When primary schooling is completed, go on to the Four Classics.
论语者lún yǔ zhě,
二十篇èr shí piān,The Analects of Kongfuzi, in twenty chapters.
群弟子qún dì zǐ,
记善言jì shàn yán.Where the group of followers recorded wise sayings.
As this is a Confucian classic it is natural that the first book to study is that of Kongfuzi (Confucius).
孟子者mèng zǐ zhě,
七篇止qī piān zhǐ,Works of Mencius, seven chapters only
讲道德jiǎng dào dé,
说仁义shuō rén yì.Preach the way to virtue, explain honor.
Mencius was the second sage of the Confucian doctrine.
作中庸zuòzhōng yōng,
乃孔伋nǎi kǒng jí,The writing of the ‘Doctrine of the Mean’ by Kong Ji
中不偏zhōng bù piān,
庸不易yōng bù yì.The center does not stray from the intended line, the course is unchanging.
Kong Ji or Zisi ➚, a grandson of Confucius (Kong Fuzi), was the author of the ‘Doctrine of the Mean ➚’ which advocating sticking to a middle course between extremes to achieve perpetual balance in all things.
作大学zuò dà xué,
乃曾子nǎi zēng zǐ,The writer of the Great Learning, was Zengzi
自修齐zì xiū qí,
至平治zhì píng zhì.To its study will ensure all will attain peaceful government.
Zengzi ➚ was taught by Kong Ji and is credited as the author of the ‘Great Learning’ which is another of the Four Confucian Classics. It emphasizes the importance of reflection and contemplation as well as study.
孝经通xiào jīng tōng,
四书熟sì shū shú,When the ‘Classic of Filial Piety’ is well understood and also familiar with the Four Classics,
如六经rú liù jīng,
始可读shǐ kě dú.the Six Classics can then be read.
Normally there are considered to be Five Classics ➚, here the Rites of Zhou ➚ has been added. Another classic the ‘Classic of Music’ has been lost.
诗书易shī shū yì,
礼春秋lǐ chūn qiū,The books of Poetry, History, Changes, Rites, Rites of Zhou and the Spring and Autumn Annals
号六经hào liù jīng,
当讲求dāng jiǎng qiú.Number the ‘Six Classics’ which should be thoroughly understood.
有连山yǒu lián shān,
有归藏yǒu guī cáng,There is Lianshan, there is Guicang
有周易yǒu zhōu yì,
三易详sān yì xiáng.There is Zhouyi, a comprehensive analysis of the Book of Changes.
The Book of Changes (Yi Jing) is an all pervasive book of divination and wisdom. The Zhou Yi, Lianshan and Guicang are known as the ‘Three I Chings’ ➚ as they are alternative interpretations of the 64 hexagrams.
有典谟yǒu diǎn mó,
有训诰yǒu xùn gào,There are laws and plans; there are patterns and admonishments
有誓命yǒu shì mìng,
书之奥shū zhī ào.There are vows and orders; and mysteries in the Book of History.
The Book of History ➚ (or Documents) is a list of events from the first legendary Yellow Emperor through to the Shang dynasty.
我周公wǒ zhōu gōng,
作周礼zuò zhōu lǐ,Our Duke of Zhou wrote the Rites of Zhou
著六官zhù liù guān,
存治体cún zhì tǐ.Showing the six classes of officials which manage the government.
The Rites of Zhou ➚ covers the roles of officials and emperor ➚ within government. The Duke of Zhou is one of the most revered ancient sages.
大小戴dà xiǎo dài,
注礼记zhù lǐ jì,The Elder and Younger Dai commented on the Book of Rites
述圣言shù shèng yán,
礼乐备lǐ lè bèi.They relate the sacred words and order ceremonies and music.
曰国风yuē guó fēng,
曰雅颂yuē yǎ sòng,They speak of the customs of nations; they speak of the Odes and Songs
号四诗hào sì shī,
当讽咏dāng fěng yǒng.Four parts of the Book of Poetry, should be recited and sung.
The Book of Poetry ➚ (or Songs or Odes) is an anthology of poems/songs by anonymous authors dating from the Zhou dynasty. All poems used to be read or sung aloud.
诗既亡shī jì wáng,
春秋作chūn qiū zuò,When the Book of Poetry had been finished, the Spring and Autumn Annals were written.
寓褒贬yù bāo biǎn,
别善恶bié shàn è.They contain assessments and distinguish good from evil.
三传者sān zhuàn zhě,
有公羊yǒu gōng yáng,These three commentaries were by Gong Yang
有左氏yǒu zuǒ shì,
有谷梁yǒu gǔ liáng.That of Zuo Shi, and that of Gu Liang.
The Spring and Autumn Annals ➚ attributed to Confucius is more correctly translated as ‘Annual Records’ because at this time the year was divided into just two seasons (Spring and Autumn). It is a list of events of state of Lu, one of the kingdoms at the time of the Eastern Zhou dynasty. The book is of such importance that the time period covered is now named Spring and Autumn after the book. Gong Yang, Zuo and Guliang all wrote important commentaries on them.
经既明jīng jì míng,
方读子fāng dú zǐ,When the Classics are understood, only then read the philosophers
撮其要cuō qí yào,
记其事jì qí shì.Pick out the important parts, remember the facts.
五子者wǔ zǐ zhě,
有荀杨yǒu xún yáng,The five philosophers: there is Xun and Yang
文中子wén zhōng zǐ,
及老庄jí lǎo zhuāng.Wen Zhongzi, Laozi and Zhuangzi.
Xun(zi) is a Confucian philosopher. The inclusive nature of Chinese philosophy is demonstrated by the presence of the non-Confucian philosophers Laozi and Zhuangzi (both Daoists) in the list of great philosophers.
经子通jīng zǐ tōng,
读诸史dú zhū shǐ,When the classics and philosophers are well known, read all the histories
考世系kǎo shì xì,
知终始zhī zhōng shǐ.Examine the lineages, know the starts and ends.
自羲农zì xī nóng,
至黄帝zhì huáng dì,From Emperor Xi and Nong to Huangdi
号三皇hào sān huáng,
居上世jū shàng shì.Number the Three Sovereigns who lived long ago.
The first legendary figures in Chinese history are Fuxi (a.k.a. Xi) and Shennong (a.k.a. Nong). Huangdi is the Yellow Emperor from whom all Chinese dynasties claim descent and he is the father figure of the nation.
唐有虞táng yǒu yú,
号二帝hào èr dì,There were Tang and Yu, called the Two Emperors
Tang is better known as Emperor Yao c. 2356-2255 BCE and Yu better known as Emperor Shun. Yao abdicated in favor of Shun rather than his own son Danzhu because he was so impressed with his abilities. This created an important precedent for peaceful succession on merit not birth.
相揖逊xiāng yī xùn,称盛世chēng shèng shì.One yielded to the other, in an age of Prosperity.
夏有禹xià yǒu yǔ,
商有汤shāng yǒu tāngXia dynasty had Yu, the Shang dynasty had Tang
周文武zhōu wén wǔ,
称三王chēng sān wáng.The Xia dynasty had Wen and Wu, named the Three Kings.
Yu the Great founded the Xia dynasty. King Wen of Zhou and his son Wu founded the Zhou dynasty. This is confusingly out of order as the Shang dynasty was in between.
夏传子xià chuán zǐ,
家天下jiā tiān xiàThe Xia passed from father to son, a family ruling the whole world
四百载sì bǎi zǎi,
迁夏社qiān xià shè.After 400 years, the Xia dynasty ended.
汤伐夏tāng fá xià,
国号商guó hào shāngTang brought down the Xia, forming the Shang dynasty
六百载liù bǎi zǎi,
至纣亡zhì zhòu wáng.It lasted 600 years, until King Zhou.
Tang Shang ➚ also known as Da Yi was the first king of the Shang dynasty. King Zhou ➚ (better known as Di Xin) was the last ruler of Shang, infamous for his cruelty and debauchery.
周武王zhōu wǔ wáng,
始诛纣shǐ zhū zhòuKing Wu of Zhou dynasty slew King Zhou
八百载bā bǎi zǎi,
最长久zuì cháng jiǔ.800 years long, the longest dynasty.
Di Xin was overthrown by King Wu to found the Zhou dynasty [1100-221BCE]. The Zhou dynasty had little centralized control in its latter half so 800 years of rule is an exaggeration.
周辙东zhōu zhé dōng,
王堕wáng gāng duòWhen the Zhou made forays east, the king's rule waned
逞干戈chěng gān gē,
尚游说shàng yóu shuì.They gave way to weapons of war, yet ideas were promulgated among the rulers.
始春秋shǐ chūn qiū,
终战国zhōng zhàn guóBegan with the Spring and Autumn period, ended with the Warring States period
五霸强wǔ bà qiáng,
七雄出qī xióng chū.Five powerful lords ruled, seven mighty states arose.
The Eastern Zhou marked the end of Imperial control and the emergence of states often at war (hence the term Warring States Period). This was the age of the great philosophers (the Hundred Schools of Thought) with Confucius and Laozi amongst others making it China's Golden Age of Philosophy.
嬴秦氏yíng qín shì,
始兼并shǐ jiān bìngThe Ying of the Qin kingdom, began to annex the country
传二世chuán èr shì,
楚汉争chǔ hàn zhēng.Passed to Er Shi, Chu and Han states vied for power.
Considering the impact of the Qin dynasty the entry in the Three Character Classic is very short. Ying was the family name of the kings of Qin. It was Ying Zheng better known as Emperor Qin Shihuangdi who unified the nation. Er Shi was the title of his son the Second and last Qin Emperor.
高祖兴gāo zǔ xìng,
汉业建hàn yè jiànEmperor Gaozu arose, the Han dynasty founded
至孝平zhì xiào píng,
王莽篡wáng mǎng cuàn.Until the reign of Xiaoping when Wang Mang usurped the throne.
Liu Bang became Emperor Gaozu when he founded the Western Han dynasty, Emperor Ping was the last before Wang Mang briefly took control.
光武兴guāng wǔ xìng,
为东汉wéi dōng hànEmperor Guangwu arose and created the Eastern Han dynasty
四百年sì bǎi nián,
终于献zhōng yú xiàn.Four hundred years of rule ended with Emperor Xian.
Liu Xiu (Emperor Guangwu ➚) installed the Eastern Han dynasty in the eastern capital of Luoyang. Emperor Xian ➚ was the last Han emperor.
魏蜀吴wèi shǔ wú,
争汉鼎zhēng hàn dǐngWei, Shu and Wu vied for the Han prize
号三国hào sān guó,
迄两晋qì liǎng jìn.Called the Three Kingdoms until two Jin dynasties.
The Three Kingdoms were called Wei, Shu and Wu which sought to re-establish central control and failed. The Period of Disunity covers a number of 'minor' dynasties that did not rule the whole country.
宋齐继sòng qí jì,
梁陈承liáng chén chéngSong and Qi followed, Liang and Chen continued
为南朝wéi nán cháo,
都金陵dū jīn líng.These are the Southern dynasties, capital at Jinling.
Another set of 'minor' dynasties that failed to maintain control during the Period of Disunity. The modern city of Nanjing was then called Jinling.
北元魏běi yuán wèi,
分东西fēn dōng xīIn the north Yuan Wei split into east and west
宇文周yǔ wén zhōu,
兴高齐xìng gāo qí.Yu Wen of Zhou, arose with Gao of Qi.
The Northern Wei (386-533); Eastern Wei (534-549); Western Wei (535-557); Northern Qi (550-577); Northern Zhou (557-588) complete the set of 'dynasties' in the Period of Disunity.
迨至隋dài zhì suí,
一土宇yī tǔ yǔAt last arrive at the Sui dynasty as one united land
不再传bù zài chuán,
失统绪shī tǒng xù.But power was not passed on, it lost control.
The Sui dynasty founded by Yang Jian re-unified the country but his successor Yangdi was overthrown in a rebellion.
唐高祖táng gāo zǔ,
起义师qǐ yì shīTang Emperor Gaozu formed a military uprising
除隋乱chú suí luàn,
创国基chuàng guó jī.Eliminated Sui disorder, consolidated national rule.
The start of the glorious Tang dynasty under Li Yuan who became Emperor Gaozu started the Tang dynasty.
二十传èr shí chuán,
三百载sān bǎi zǎiTwenty times rule passed on, in 300 years
梁灭之liáng miè zhī,
国乃改guó nǎi gǎi.Liang extinguished it, the country thereupon changed.
梁唐晋liáng táng jìn,
及汉周jí hàn zhōuLiang, Tang, Jin and Han, Zhou
称五代chēng wǔ dài,
皆有由jiē yǒu yóu.Named the Five Dynasties, each followed its own destiny.
After the Tang fell there was a brief period of disunity with several short lived 'dynasties' Later Liang (907-923); Later Tang (923-935); Later Jin (936-947); Later Han (947-951) and Later Zhou (951-960)
炎宋兴yán sòng xìng,
受周禅shòu zhōu chánThe fiery Song arose, receiving the abdication of the Zhou
十八传shí bā chuán,
南北混nán běi hùn.Eighteen times rule passed on, north and south muddled along separately.
The Song dynasty began fairly peacefully with states acknowledging the Zhao family's control. The description ‘fiery’ may refer to first use of gunpowder or an association with the five elements. It became divided into Northern and Southern dynasties.
辽与金liáo yǔ jīn,
皆称帝jiē chēng dìLiao and Jing – both are called dynasties
元灭金yuán miè jīn,
绝宋世jué sòng shì.Yuan wiped out Jin, cut short the Song dynasty.
The Mongol invasion first conquered the northern Jin dynasty then the south with capital at Hangzhou.
舆图广yú tú guǎng,
超前代chāo qián dàiThe map of territory vast, surpassing previous dynasties
九十年jiǔ shí nián,
国祚废guó zuò fèi.90 years pass, the throne is ousted.
The non-Han Chinese Yuan dynasty is rather skated over except for acknowledging its vast scale.
太祖兴tài zǔ xìng,
国大明guó dà míngEmperor Taizu arose, the great nation of Ming
号洪武hào hóng wǔ,
都金陵dū jīn líng.called himself Hongwu with capital at Jinling.
The Mongols were deposed by Zhu Yuanzhang who founded the Ming dynasty at Nanjing (originally called Jinling) as Emperor Hongwu.
迨成祖dài chéng zǔ,
迁燕京qiān yàn jīngUntil Emperor Chengzu moved the capital to Yanjing
十六世shí liù shì,
至崇祯zhì chóng zhēn.Sixteen generations until Emperor Chongzhen.
The Emperor Yongle (a.k.a. Ming Chengzu) built the present day Forbidden City at Beijing (originally called Yanjing).
权阉肆quán yān sì,
寇如林kòu rú línThe power of eunuchs unrestrained, plundered like so many trees in a forest
李闯出lǐ chuǎng chū,
神器焚shén qì fén.Li Chuang came, burnt holy objects.
The fall of the illustrious Ming was brought about partly by the corruption of hordes of court eunuchs. The rebellion led by Li Chuang (better known as Li Zicheng ➚) created the opportunity for the Manchus to invade.
清世祖qīng shì zǔ,
应景命yìng jǐng mìngQing dynasty's ancestor responded to the call of fate
靖四方jìng sì fāng,
克大定kè dà dìng.Peace was everywhere, establishing great stability.
This version of the Three Character Classic was written during the Qing dynasty and so is deferential to the current rulers and does not go on to mention the Republic.
古今史gǔ jīn shǐ,
全在兹quán zài zīThe ancient and modern annals all completed.
载治乱zài zhì luàn,
知兴衰zhī xīng shuāi.They record control and disorder, document the rise and fall.
读史书dú shǐ shū,
考实录kǎo shí lùStudy the history books, examine the true records.
通古今tōng gǔ jīn,
若亲目ruò qīn mù.Know the ancient and modern, as if a first-hand witness.
口而诵kǒu ér sòng,
心而惟xīn ér wéiMouth as well as recite them, study intention as well as action
朝于斯zhāo yú sī,
夕于斯xī yú sī.Do this in the morning, do this in the evening.
昔仲尼xī zhòng ní,
师项橐shī xiàng tuóFormerly Zhongni had Xiang Tuo as teacher
古圣贤gǔ shèng xián,
尚勤学shàng qín xué.Ancient virtuous sages valued diligent study.
The condensed dynastic history is followed by several admonishments for hard and diligent study. Zhong Ni is another name for Confucius, who himself learned from the seven year old child prodigy Xiang Tuo ➚.
赵中令zhào zhòng lìng,
读鲁论dú lǔ lùnZhao, the Grand Secretary studied the Analects
彼既仕bǐ jì shì,
学且勤xué qiě qín.Although already an official, he still studied industriously.
Zhao Pu was Song Emperor Taizong's secretary and chancellor.
披蒲编pī pú biān,
削竹简xiāo zhú jiǎnSplitting up reeds and weaving them, cutting bamboo for writing
彼无书bǐ wú shū,
且知勉qiě zhī miǎn.They had no books but still knew how to make an effort.
These two examples of Han dynasty students show how even the very poor studied hard. Lu Wenshu ➚ copied borrowed books in exchange for work weaving reeds. Gongsun Hong ➚ cut up bamboo to make books (then made from strips of bamboo) to earn money.
头悬梁tóu xuán liáng,
锥刺股zhuī cì gǔOne suspended his head from a roof beam, another pricked his thigh with an awl
彼不教bǐ bù jiāo,
自勤苦zì qín kǔ.They were not taught these ways but devised them from a desire for hard work.
In the first case the diligent student Sun Jing ➚ kept himself awake by stopping his head drooping forward by a rope from the roof, Su Qin ➚ pricked himself to keep himself awake and alert for study.
如囊萤rú náng yíng,
如映雪rú yìng xuěOne put glow-worms in a bag; another used the reflection from snow to read by
家虽贫jiā suī pín,
学不辍xué bù chuò.Their homes were poor, yet they studied incessantly.
如负薪rú fù xīn,
如挂角rú guà jiǎoOne carried firewood, another hung [books] from horns [to read]
身虽劳shēn suī láo,
犹苦卓yóu kǔ zhuó.Even though they were exhausted, they achieved acclaim through hardship.
Che Jin ➚ recruited glow-worms or fireflies so he could study into the night while Sun Kang ➚ used the reflected light from snow to read by. Zhu Maichen ➚ earned money for study by selling firewood and Li Mi ➚ (Tang dynasty) hung books from the horns of cows so he could study while working as a cowherd.
苏老泉sū lǎo quán,
二十七èr shí qīSu Laoquan at 27
始发愤shǐ fā fèn,
读书籍dú shū jí.Began to make a determined effort to study books.
彼既老bǐ jì lǎo,
犹悔迟yóu huǐ chíWhen he was old he regretted his delay
尔小生ěr xiǎo shēng,
宜早思yí zǎo sī.You, the young student should set about early study.
Su Laoquan ➚ (a.k.a. Su Xun) was the father of the famous poets Su Shi and Su Zhe. Collectively father and the two sons are known as the ‘Three Sus’ (三苏词 sān sū cí).
若梁灏ruò liáng hào,
八十二bā shí èrAs Liang Hao aged 82
对大廷duì dà tíng,
魁多士kuí duō shì.Went to the Great Hall and was acclaimed the foremost student.
彼既成bǐ jì chéng,
众称异zhòng chēng yìAfter that had been accomplished many praised his exceptional talent.
尔小生ěr xiǎo shēng,
宜立志yí lì zhì.You, the young student should be similarly determined.
Liang Hao lived in the Northern Song period. It was normal for adult men to continue to study and take examinations throughout their lives. Here the poem launches into more examples of early promise.
莹八岁yíng bā suì,
能咏诗néng yǒng shīYing when eight years old was able to write poetry
泌七岁mì qī suì,
能赋棋néng fù qí.Mi when seven years old could write about Weiqi.
Zu Rong (a.k.a. Ying) became a government official at the age of 12. Li Bi (a.k.a. Mi) served four Tang emperors. Weiqi is the strategy game better known as 'Go'.
彼颖悟bǐ yǐng wù,
人称奇rén chēng qíThey were intelligent and called wonderful.
尔幼学ěr yòu xué,
当效之dāng xiào zhī.You, the young student ought to emulate them.
蔡文姬cài wén jī,
能辨琴néng biàn qínCai Wenji could analyze the music of the qin
谢道韫xiè dào yùn,
能咏吟néng yǒng yín.Xie Daoyun could compose poems.
彼女子bǐ nǔ: zǐ,
且聪敏qiě cōng mǐnThey were girls and moreover clever
尔男子ěr nán zǐ,
当自警dāng zì jǐng.You boys should stay attentive.
The rather misogynistic tone was the attitude at the time. Cai Wenji ➚ (c. 200CE) had perfect pitch and became a famous poet and musician. The qin or guqin is a form of Chinese lute. Xie Daoyun ➚ (c. 340-399CE) was a noted poet and writer. Girls did not generally learn to read or write and could not enter the Imperial Examinations and so could not become officials (see our section on attitudes to women).
唐刘晏táng liú yàn,
方七岁fāng qī suìTang dynasty Liu Yan when only seven years old
举神童jǔ shén tóng,
作正字zuò zhèng zì.Was held up as a child prodigy and became Corrector of Writings.
Liu Yan ➚ belonged to the Imperial Liu family and became a Grand Chancellor in the Tang dynasty.
彼虽幼bǐ suī yòu,
身已仕shēn yǐ shìEven though a child he served as an official
尔幼学ěr yòu xué,
勉而致miǎn ér zhì.You, the young student should make an effort and devote yourself to study.
有为者yǒu wéi zhě,
亦若是yì ruò shì.Those who show promise will surely succeed as they did.
犬守夜quǎn shǒu yè,
鸡司晨jī sī chénDogs guard the night; cockerels proclaim the dawn
苟不学gǒu bù xué,
曷为人hé wéi rén.If negligently you do not study, how can you learn to conduct yourself?
蚕吐丝cán tǔ sī,
蜂酿蜜fēng niàng mìThe silkworm produces silk; the bee makes honey
人不学rén bù xué,
不如物bù rú wù.People who do not study are no better than inanimate things.
幼而学yòu ér xué,
壮而行zhuàng ér xíngStudy when young to become competent when you grow up
上致君shàng zhì jūn,
下泽民xià zé mín.Be devoted to the ruler above, benefit the people below.
扬名声yáng míng shēng,
显父母xiǎn fù mǔBecome a great voice, bring honor to your parents
光于前guāng yú qián,
裕于后yù yú hòu.Shed luster upon your ancestors, bring abundance to your descendents.
人遗子rén yí zǐ,
金满嬴jīn mǎn yíngPeople bequeath copious profit in gold
我教子wǒ jiào zǐ,
惟一经wéi yī jīng.I teach my children only one classic.
勤有功qín yǒu gōng,
戏无益xì wú yìDiligence brings achievement, play has no benefit
戒之哉jiè zhī zāi,
宜勉力yí miǎn lì.Guard against it, strive forward positively.
Many young children have learned the classic and you can see videos of them.
Video not visible
A lovely YouTube video of a film version by Zhang Junye of the Three character classic at the Hanxiang primary school in NingboVideo not visible
YouTube video of three character classic read by a young girl