Background of Chinese Literature: Chinese Literature WAS BROUGHT ABOUT BY the 3 factors: - Philosophical views, historical writings, and

religious beliefs 1. Philosophy principles in life of the people, beliefs, values -Confucius harmony and good government. LEADER MUST SET A GOOD EXAMPLE. - Founder of Confucianism a religion, political principles that is greatly concerned with social

relations, conduct and human society - ANALECTS the compilation of Confucius teachings/principles 3 Important Philosophies of Confucius analects: 1. Jen (benevolence) - kindness 2. Yi (propriety)- correct conduct 3. Li (ritual) > Principal thought of Confucianism: Good works
-Lao Tzu (Taoism)- Taoism states that originally, humans are good in nature but eventually fall

from this organization and began to do wrong. - He wrote Tao-te Ching, generally translated as The Book of the Way and the Virtue) or The Law (or Canon) of Virtue and it's Way. Tao= way or path (unfathomable source of all things, in Christianity, compared to God) te = virtues, energy of the Tao ching= laws * there are 2 opposing forces: negative and positive - simplicity of living through agrarian communities * believe in Xian or Hsien immortal people that gained eternal life and godlike powers through rituals such as yoga. * Principal thought of Taoism: gaining eternal life through simplicity of life * do nothing, to discern and follow the natural forces -- to follow and shape the flow of events and not to pit oneself against the natural order of things. * LAHAT PWEDE GAWIN BASTA HINIHINGI NG KATAWAN NILA TAO TE CHING (excerpt)
On the Absolute Tao The Nameless of the origin of Heaven and Earth; The Named is the Mother of All Things. Action Without Deeds By action without deeds May all live in peace.

Living for Others The universe is everlasting. The reason the universe is everlasting is that it does not live for Self. Therefore, it can long endure. Water The best of men is life water; Water benefits all things And does not compete with them. The Danger of Overweening Success Stretch a bow to the very full, And you will wish you had stopped in time. Temper a sword-edge to its very sharpest, And the edge will not last long. The Senses The five colors blind the eyes of man; The five musical notes deafen the ears of man; The five flavors dull the taste of man; Horse-racing, hunting, and chasing madden the mind of man; The Wise Ones of Old The wise ones of old had subtle wisdom and depth of understanding So profound that they could not be understood. And because they could not be understood, Genuine, like a piece of undressed wood Futility of Contention To yield is to be preserved whole. To be bent is to become straight. To be hollow is to be filled To have plenty is to be confused. Beyond Honor and Disgrace He who knows does not speak; He who speaks does not know.

The Way of Heaven True words are not fine-sounding; Fine-sounding words are not true."