Rice, millet, pulse, wheat, sorghum, millet grass,
Are six kinds of grain on which men subsist.
Mutual affection of father and son, concord of man and wife;
The older brother’s kindness, the younger one’s respect;
Order between seniors and juniors, friendship among associates;
On the prince’s part regard, on the minister’s true loyalty;—
These ten moral duties are ever binding among men.”
To this technical summary succeed rules for a course of academical studies, with a list of the books to be learned, and the order of their use, followed by a synopsis of the general history of China, in an enumeration of the successive dynasties. The work concludes with incidents and motives to learning drawn from the conduct of ancient sages and statesmen, and from considerations of interest and glory. The examples cited are curious instances of pursuit of knowledge under difficulties, and form an inviting part of the treatise.
“Formerly Confucius had young Hiang Toh for his teacher;
Even the sages of antiquity studied with diligence.