[One Sip of a Book] Reading the Analects and I Ching in a Single Volume

Editor's NoteSome sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book, while others instantly resonate with the reader, creating a connection with the book. We excerpt and introduce such meaningful sentences from books.

Among the so-called 'Four Books and Three Classics,' the representative work of the Four Books (Saseo) is the Analects, and the most difficult text among the Three Classics (Samgyeong) is known to be the Yijing. The author, who has long introduced the Analects and Yijing to the public, explains these two together in easy-to-understand, plain language. A 'dictionary' to aid understanding is also included, containing detailed explanations of personal names, place names, and country names.

1-3. 子曰: “巧言令色, 鮮矣仁!” Jowal Gyoeonyeongsaek Seoneuin

Confucius said: “Those who are eloquent and have a pleasing appearance are rarely benevolent.” - p.15

象曰: 天行, 健. 君子以自彊不息. Sangwal Cheonhaeng Geon Gunja I Jagang Bulsik

The overlapping sky, its pure form is always in motion. This movement is vigorous. A noble person imitates the sky’s movement by strengthening oneself without rest. - p.197

圭 Gyu: “Gyu” is made of jade, with a round top and a square bottom. It represents the cosmology of “Cheonwon Jibang 天圓地方” (Heaven is round, Earth is square). Its size varies according to use (when the emperor appoints a vassal, it is nine inches [九寸, about 30cm]; when a messenger visits another vassal, it is seven inches [七寸, about 23cm]; otherwise, it is five inches [五寸, about 16.5cm]). [10-5] - p.501

朔 Sak: The first day of each lunar month in the lunar calendar. The sun, moon, and earth are aligned in a straight line, making the moon invisible. In ancient times without calendars, sacrificial rites were performed to announce this Sak. In the past, the calendar (Yeok) was also a form of ritual (Ye). [3-17] - p.512

Reading the Analects and Yijing in a Single Volume | Written by Kim Yong-ok | Tongnamu | 360 pages | 25,000 KRW

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