To strive for excellence: learning Chinese traditions and virtue through Pianwen
“Zi qiang bu xi” (自強不息to strive for excellence) is an ancient Chinese proverb which has been popular for over two thousand years. This is rooted from an ancient Chinese classics I-Ching (《易經》) . In the Image section (象辭) of the first Chapter “Chien-The Creative” (《易經‧乾卦》), it is quoted: “The movement of heaven is full of power. Thus, the superior man makes himself strong and untiring.” Formed with six unbroken lines (Yang, in contrast with broken lines called Yin), the Chien hexagon (乾卦) is the hexagon representing masculinity and strength, which is also regarded as the quality of the heaven. Ancient Chinese believe that the heaven is the purest form of “Yang” (the sun, masculinity, power) which is full of power whereas stars in the heaven (particularly the sun) could keep moving forever. Inspired by the symbol of ever-moving stars, people use this as a motto to motivate themselves to expand their energy, knowledge, and capacity. From continuous lifelong learning, they keep on striving for excellence. This is a traditional value that was regarded as a virtue of Chinese culture. In 1914, Liang Qi-chao (梁啟超, 1873-1929, philosopher and political activist) came to Beijing (then Peking) to deliver a speech at Tsinghua University (清華大學) titled On a Respectable Noble Man (Lun Jun Zi論君子), which revolved around the Chien hexagon and the description in I-Ching, “Zi Qiang Bu Xi, Hou De Zai Wu” (自強不息). He mentioned how a superior man makes himself strong and untiring with his breadth of character carries the outer world (厚德載物). These eight Chinese characters later became the motto of Tsinghua University.

The idea of strive for excellence is also mentioned in ancient Chinese Pianwen (Couplet Texts, 駢文) by Wang Bo (王勃, 650-676), a great poet of Tang Dynasty. His most famous work, a couplet text titled An article devoted for the farewell dinner in autumn held upon the high floor of the Tower of Duke of Teng (〈秋日登洪府滕王閣餞別序〉), vividly presented the message of Zi Qiang Bu Xi. Wang Bo was a renowned poet since he was a child. He was recommended by the Minister of Justice Liu Cheng-dao (劉祥道 596-666) as a government official because of his prodigy. Wang Bo was also known for his filial piety. In his twenties, Wang Bo’s father Wang Fu-zhi (王福畤, 615-694) was assigned to be a government official in Jiao Zhi county (交趾, now northern Vietnam). Despite the distance, Wang Bo came to Jiao Zhi by boat to visit his father. The famous article mentioned here was written during this trip.

The Tower of Duke of Teng, a beautiful and magnificent building, is hailed as “one of the most famous three towers in the Southern Bank of Changjiang”. The building was built by Li Yuan-ying (李元嬰, 628-684), the twelfth son of Emperor Gaozu of Tang Dynasty, in memory of being conferred as Duke of Tang. The tower is still the landmark of Nanchang city in Jiangxi province nowadays. Wang Bo expressed the happiness of visiting the tower and appreciating the beautiful scenery of the sunset. Therefore, in the article, Wang said, “The cranes which gathered at the islet and falcons which gathered at the rocks fly around all the islands in the river. The elegant courts and buildings resemble the shape of the huge mountain.” (鶴汀鳧渚,窮島嶼之縈迴;桂殿蘭宮,即岡巒之體勢). The next sentence is a timeless piece in Chinese history: “The bird flies alone with the rosy clouds. Autumn river melts with the boundless sky and glimmers”. (落霞與孤鶩齊飛,秋水共長天一色). The beauty of the river in the sundown and rosy clouds can’t be more vividly described in words. In this article, Wang Bo motivated himself with the following words: “A respectable noble man is not afraid of poverty. A person with peaceful mind understands the trajectory of life. Even when they are old, they will maintain their physique and keep themselves out of the aged mental stage. Even though they are poor, they will not lose their own devotions” (君子安貧,達人知命。老當益壯,寧移白首之心;窮且益堅,不墜青雲之志). These words remind us to adapt to the situation. When one is temporarily stuck in poverty or when one is aged, one should not forfeit their motivation and devotion to dreams but strengthen them. “The northern sea is so remote, but we can go there with a strong wind”(北海雖賒,扶搖可接). Although sometimes our dreams seem unreachable, they will eventually be fulfilled someday with audacity . “I will not learn from Ruan Ji, a crazy man who cried at the end of the road.” (阮籍猖狂,豈效窮途之哭) This reminds me that one should not just cry and do nothing during the hardship. Wang Bo also paraphrased the story of Zong Que (宗愨, ? – 465) in the fifth-century China. Zong Que’s uncle asked him about his aspiration, Zong Que replied: “I would like to drive the wind to come across the waves.” (願乘長風破萬里浪). This illustrates Zong Que’s great vision. “Although I am of the same age as the general, I am still waiting for the chance to join the army. Someday I will simply throw away my pens to follow my idol General Zong Que to drive the wind”. (無路請纓,等終軍之弱冠;有懷投筆,慕宗愨之長風). From these examples, we can find that Wang Bo’s couplet text is at the same time educational and self-motivating. This is a good example of how virtues and values from Ancient China are transmitted through artistic writings.

All articles/videos are prohibited from reproducing without the permission of the copyright holder.
Welcome to leave a message:
Please Sign In/Sign Up as a member and leave a message