Classical Chinese Biography·Qian Wenyan·Full Text

"Yuan" refers to the growth of goodness; "Heng" refers to the gathering of good things; "Li" refers to the harmony of righteousness; "Zhen" refers to the ability to do things. A gentleman's body is benevolent enough to grow people, a good gathering is enough to be polite, a benefit is enough to be righteous, and a chastity is enough to do things. A gentleman practices these four virtues, so it is said: "Qian, Yuan, Heng, Li, Zhen."
On the ninth day of the lunar month, it is said: "Don't use Qianlong." What does it mean? Confucius said: "The dragon's virtue is hidden, it is not easy to be in the world, it is not famous, it is not bored in the world, it is not bored when you don't see what is right, you will do it if you are happy, and you will go against it if you are worried. It is indeed inextricable, and it is also a hidden dragon." Ninety-two said: "Seeing a dragon in the field is a good thing to see a great person." What does it mean? Confucius said: "Dragon virtue is the one who is right in the middle. Trust in what is said, prudence in deeds, sincerity in idleness, be kind to the world and not attack, and virtue will be transformed. "Yi" said, "Seeing a dragon in the field, it is beneficial to see a great person." This is the virtue of a gentleman." Jiu San said: "A gentleman works hard all day long, and is vigilant at night, and there is no blame." What does it mean? Confucius said: "A gentleman develops virtue and cultivates his career. Loyalty is the reason why he develops virtue. Rhetoric establishes his sincerity, so he lives his career. Knowing the end can help him achieve success. Knowing the end can help him preserve his meaning. This is why he lives in a high position without being arrogant and in a low position without worrying. Therefore, he is alert because of the time. Although there is danger, there is no blame." Jiu Si said: "Maybe you jump into the abyss, and there is no blame." What does it mean? Confucius said: "Up and down are impermanent, which is not evil. Advances and retreats are inconstant, and they are not out of the crowd. A gentleman advances in virtue and cultivates his career in a timely manner, so there is no blame." Jiuwu said: "The flying dragon is in the sky, which is beneficial to seeing the great people." What is it? Confucius said: "The same sound corresponds to the same breath, and the same breath seeks each other. The water flow is moist, and the fire is dry. The clouds follow the dragon, and the wind follows the tiger. The saints make all things. Those who are based on heaven are close to the top, and those who are based on the earth are close to the bottom. Then they all follow their own kind." Shangjiu said: "There are regrets for being a dragon." What does it mean? Confucius said: "You are noble but have no position, you are high but have no people, and a wise man is in a lower position but has no assistants. This is why you have regrets when you move."
"Don't use a dragon hidden in the sky" means a downward movement; "seeing a dragon in the field" means leaving it alone; "working hard all day long" means doing something; "may leap in the abyss" means self-examination; "flying dragon in the sky" means a rule of thumb; "a dragon has regrets" means a disaster of poverty; in the Qianyuan period "use nine" means a rule of the world.
"Don't use the hidden dragon", the yang energy is hidden; "seeing the dragon in the field", the world is civilized; "working all day long", walking with the times; "perhaps leaping in the abyss", the road is leather; "flying dragon in the sky", it is the virtue of heaven; "the dragon has regrets", keeping pace with the times; "using nine" in Qianyuan is to see the rules of heaven.
Those who do "Yuan" are those who have prospered from the beginning; those who are "Li Zhen" are those who have temperament. Qian Shi can benefit the world with beauty and profit, and he does not say what he is benefiting. It is great, it is great Qian, it is strong and upright, and it is pure essence. The six Yao lines are used to communicate emotions, and they ride on the six dragons to control the sky. When the clouds move and rain comes, the world will be peaceful.
A gentleman’s conduct is to become virtuous, and his conduct will be seen day by day. "Hidden" means words, hidden but not seen, action but not completed, so a gentleman cannot use it. A gentleman learns by gathering together, asks questions by debating, be generous by staying at home, and be benevolent by practicing. "Book of Changes" says: "Seeing a dragon in the field is a good way to meet an important person." It is also a noble virtue. The ninety-three layers are strong but not in the middle. The upper part is not in the sky and the lower part is not in the field. Therefore, Qian Qian is alert because of the time. Although he is in danger, there is no fault. The ninety-four levels are strong but not in the center. The upper part is not in the sky, the lower part is not in the field, and the middle part is not in the human body. Therefore, it is "or", and if it is "or", it is doubtful. Therefore, "no blame". Husband, "Master", is in harmony with heaven and earth in its virtues, in harmony with the sun and moon in its brightness, in harmony with the order of the four seasons, in harmony with ghosts and gods in its good and bad fortunes. When it is congenital and Heaven does not violate it, and when it is acquired and followed according to Heaven, Heaven does not violate it, but how much worse is it for people! How about ghosts and gods! "Kang" is a word, knowing how to advance but not retreating, knowing how to survive but not knowing how to die, knowing how to gain but not knowing how to lose, this is the only saint! Those who know how to advance, retreat, and survive without losing their integrity are the only saints!