The Classic of Filial Piety

汪受宽National Library of China Publishing House · ChinaMar 2022

4.2

Word count: 80 words
Chapters: 8

Summary

The Classic of Filial Piety is a foundational text of Confucian filial piety and one of the Thirteen Classics. It is generally attributed to Confucian scholars of the generations after Confucius and is thought to have appeared around the Warring States period; since passages from it are already quoted in the Lüshi Chunqiu, it must have been composed before that work. Centered on filial piety, the Classic sets forth Confucian ethical thought with particular focus. It affirms that filial piety is a norm ordained by Heaven: "Filial piety is the constant standard of Heaven, the righteousness of Earth, and the conduct of the people." It holds that filial piety is the root of all virtues and that "among human actions, none is greater than filial piety"; a ruler may govern the state through filial piety, and subjects may establish themselves and order their families through it.

Editor's review

As one of the Thirteen Classics of Confucianism, the Classic of Filial Piety is brief yet carries the core spirit of "filial piety" in traditional Chinese culture. This annotated translation by Mr. Wang Shoukuan, published by the authoritative National Library of China Publishing House, is valuable not only for its precise collation and vernacular translation of the classic text but also for its solid scholarly annotation and plain, accessible modern interpretation. In this editor's reading, it is not a simple translation of an ancient text but an academically grounded popular work that guides modern readers toward a deeper understanding of the cultural meaning and historical evolution of "filial piety." With rigorous historical scholarship, Mr. Wang places the Classic of Filial Piety in its specific historical context, analyzing its background of composition, intellectual sources, and the changes in its interpretation over the centuries, so that the ancient teachings transcend the narrow scope of family ethics and connect with the traditional ideals of cultivating the self, ordering the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world. For contemporary readers, the significance of reading this book lies in helping us strip away stereotyped or utilitarian understandings of "filial piety" and explore the universal humanistic values behind it—gratitude, responsibility, order, and harmony between generations. In an age when family structures and social attitudes are changing rapidly, this annotated translation offers a cultural mirror for reflecting on human relationships and finding peace of mind.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with a strong interest in traditional Chinese culture and Confucian thought
Enthusiasts of Chinese classical studies who wish to systematically understand the historical origins and cultural meaning of 'filial piety'
Scholars and teachers in the humanities and social sciences or education who need a reliable annotated edition of a classic
General readers seeking traditional cultural wisdom on family ethics and personal cultivation

Not a good fit for

Casual fiction readers expecting light storytelling or strong plot conflict
Readers seeking only quick success formulas or utilitarian guides to interpersonal skills

Reading tips

Readers may first go through the vernacular translation to grasp the main themes and structure, then read the original text closely alongside the annotations to appreciate the beauty of classical Chinese and the depth of its thought.
Readers may reflect on the text in light of their own life experience, connecting classical wisdom with modern situations; there is no need to accept everything wholesale—the point is to be inspired.
The book may be read in comparison with relevant chapters of other Confucian classics such as the Analects and Mencius, for a more comprehensive understanding of the place of filial piety within Confucian thought.

About the publisher

National Library of China Publishing House China · Founded in 1979

The National Library of China Publishing House focuses on the collation of ancient books and the publication of traditional culture. It specializes in reprinting rare historical documents, compiling bibliographic and indexing reference works, and publishing library science titles. The books in this catalog indicate publishing directions covering general biography, Eastern philosophy, and historical reading. Representative titles include Liu Xiang's Biographies of Exemplary Women (Lienü Zhuan), as well as The Analects, The Classic of Filial Piety, and Mencius from the Hundred Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture series, written by scholars such as Qian Xun, Wang Shoukuan, and Liang Tao. Drawing on the collections of the National Library of China, the publisher balances scholarly rigor with readability in both the reprinting of ancient works and the popularization of classics. Its authors are primarily scholars in the fields of ancient book collation and traditional culture research. As only five titles are recorded in this catalog and public information is limited, this introduction emphasizes the publishing directions and characteristics reflected in the available titles.

导读
一、孝道和《孝经》
二、《孝经》的成书与作者
三、《孝经》今古文及郑注、孔传之争
四、历代《孝经》注疏与研究
五、《孝经》的影响与时代价值
孝经
开宗明义章第一

FAQ

Are the annotations and translation in this book reliable?

The author, Wang Shoukuan, is a senior historian. The translation and annotations are based on scholarly research and reference important commentaries from successive dynasties, and the book is published by a national professional press; its accuracy and authority are trustworthy.

Can I understand it without a background in classical Chinese?

The book provides paragraph-by-paragraph modern vernacular translation and detailed annotations in plain language, designed to help modern readers overcome the barrier of the written language and understand the meaning. With patient reading, the core ideas are fully accessible.

What practical relevance does this book have for modern life?

The book helps readers move beyond superficial understandings of "filial piety" and reflect deeply on enduring questions of gratitude, responsibility, family relationships, and social harmony, offering a traditional cultural perspective for reflecting on and learning from modern human relationships.

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About the author

汪受宽 Author

Wang Shoukuan is an author who focuses on Chinese traditional culture and on making history accessible to general readers; public information about him is limited, and details such as his dates of birth and death and nationality are not confirmed. Judging from the nineteen works held in the database, his writing falls mainly into two categories, Eastern philosophy and history readings. On the one hand, he has compiled and annotated the Classic of Filial Piety; on the other, he has contributed to the Concise Readers of the Twenty-Five Histories series, covering dynastic volumes such as the Records of the Three Kingdoms, the Book of the Later Han, the History of the Qing, the History of the Late Qing, and the Histories of the Northern and Southern Song. He has also produced documentary compilations such as Ju An Lu: with One Other Work. Overall, his writing emphasizes making classical texts and historical sources approachable, in clear and readable language suited to ordinary readers who wish to encounter traditional classics and the official histories with little burden.