The aspirations of the Chinese literati took various forms.
For example, Zhang Zai's four teachings "establish a heart for heaven and earth, establish a life for the people, continue to study for the saints, and open peace for all generations", isn't it the ambition of the literati?
Fan Zhongyan's "first the world is worried and worried, and the world is happy and happy" is also an aspiration of the literati.
The "University" puts forward three programs and eight heads, emphasizing that the purpose of cultivation is to govern the country and the world. Intellectuals are required not to be isolated, not to stick to old rules, to mingle with the masses, to abandon the old and seek the new, and to eliminate evil and follow good.
The three programs of "being clear-minded, being close to the people, and stopping at the utmost goodness" are the goals that people should achieve.
"Mingmingde" is to carry forward the good, bright, and able to shine on the world.
"Being close to the people" can also be interpreted as a new or close people, either way, it is an aspiration of the literati.
Intellectuals are not isolated, they are not static, they are always advancing, they want to mingle with the masses. Then there is to achieve "the highest good", which is the highest ideal pursuit in life.
The "University" also says: "He who desires to enlighten the world in ancient times, first governs his country." Those who want to govern their country must first join their families. Those who want to join their families. Cultivate your body first. Those who want to cultivate their bodies must first correct their hearts. Those who want to correct their hearts. First of all. Those who want to be sincere, let them know first. To know in the grid. ”
The "eight items" of qualities, knowledge, sincerity, righteousness, self-cultivation, unity of family, governance of the country, and peace in the world are concrete steps to realize the "three programs."
The central link of the "eight items" is self-cultivation.
Among them, qualities, knowledge, sincerity, righteousness, and self-cultivation are the kung fu of the inner saint, and the kung fu of the Qi family, governing the country, and leveling the world are the kung fu of the outer king.
Chinese intellectuals cannot only improve their self-cultivation, but where is it reflected externally? It is embodied in the "unity of the family, governing the country, and leveling the world", and the family is good, the country is governed, and the world is leveled, which shows that the cultivation of the literati is useful.
The "eight items" are the kung fu of the inner saint and the outer king, in order to achieve the previous "three programs", which can also be said to be an aspiration of the literati.
Chinese literati often have a sense of distress, always seeing all aspects of society and the bad aspects and imperfections in human nature, hoping to transform society through their own efforts, which is also a kind of universal feeling of Chinese intellectuals.
(This article is excerpted from Lou Lie's book "The Fundamental Spirit of Chinese Culture")