Standards for Being a Good Student and Child

李毓秀Jiangsu Phoenix Science and Technology Press · ChinaMay 2015

4.1

Word count: 17K words
Chapters: 21

Summary

This book was originally titled "Xunmeng Wen" (Instructions for Educating the Young). According to the research of the sinology scholar Wang Junhong, it was written by Li Yuxiu, a scholar (xiucai) during the Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty. Its contents take their meaning from the sixth article of the "Xue Er" chapter of the Analects, setting out the rules and norms a disciple should observe at home, in dealings with others, and in study. It was later revised and adapted by Jia Cunren of the Qing dynasty, who renamed it "Di Zi Gui" (Standards for Being a Good Student and Child). It records 108 of Confucius's words and deeds, in 360 lines and 1080 characters — three characters per line, two or four lines making a single meaning, rhymed and easy to recite. The text opens with a general preface and then divides into seven parts: filial conduct at home, fraternal duty abroad, caution, trustworthiness, universal love for all, drawing near to the virtuous, and devoting spare energy to study.

Editor's review

Dizigui (Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child) is a classic primer written by the Qing dynasty educator Li Yuxiu. Originally titled Xunmeng Wen (A Text for the Instruction of the Young), it was later revised and renamed by Jia Cunren. Taking as its core program the passage from the Analects (Xue Er) — "A young man should be filial at home and respectful to elders abroad, be circumspect and trustworthy, love the multitude and draw near to the benevolent; if he has energy to spare, he should study literature" — the book is written in lines of three characters, with every two lines rhyming, and sets out systematically the rules of conduct children should observe at home, abroad, in dealing with others, in handling matters, and in learning. The edition published by Jiangsu Phoenix Science and Technology Press generally includes detailed annotations and a translation, making it accessible to modern readers.

In terms of content, Dizigui is not merely a code of conduct from antiquity: its core values — filial piety toward parents, respect for teachers, honesty and trustworthiness, and caution in speech and action — remain deeply relevant today. It offers a clear and concrete set of behavioral guidelines that positively guide the cultivation of personal character, the building of family harmony, and the formation of healthy social customs. As a primer in traditional culture, its language is concise and strongly rhythmic, easy to recite and remember.

Editors should note, however, that some specific rules (such as "when parents reprove you, you must accept it obediently") bear the stamp of their particular era and require readers to understand and select them critically in light of modern values. When reading, one should grasp the spiritual core — the pursuit of virtue and order — rather than mechanically copying every rule. Overall, this is a guide to self-cultivation worth studying, especially suited as a reference for family education and personal development.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Parents and children seeking an introduction to traditional culture
Young people who wish to learn Chinese classical rules of conduct and etiquette systematically
Teachers and researchers engaged in Chinese classics education or moral education
General readers concerned with personal cultivation and character building

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking profound philosophical speculation or literary appreciation
Readers who wholly reject traditional norms and seek subversive viewpoints

Reading tips

Read together with your child, explaining and discussing line by line, focusing on understanding the meaning rather than rote memorization
Draw on examples from modern life to discuss which rules still apply and how to practice them flexibly
There is no need to finish it in one sitting; reciting a short passage each day and reflecting on one's own behavior is more effective

About the publisher

Jiangsu Phoenix Science and Technology Press China · Founded in 1978

Jiangsu Phoenix Science and Technology Press chiefly publishes academic monographs in science and technology, practical science and technology books, popular science readers, and lifestyle books, focusing on the life sciences and environmental sciences while also covering art, architecture, fashion, and inspirational growth. Representative books in the catalog include Li Ruzhen's Jing Hua Yuan (Flowers in the Mirror), Taine's Philosophy of Art, Fu Lei's Twenty Lectures on Masterpieces of World Art, John Gould's Atlas of Asian Birds, Wang Yicheng's Flower Museum (Second Edition), as well as An Illustrated New Interpretation of Yuan Ye and Liang Sicheng on Ancient Chinese Architecture: Illustrated Edition, alongside the Chinese-English bilingual Father and Son: Chinese-English. Its author resources include Li Ruzhen, Taine, Fu Lei, John Gould, Wang Yicheng, Zhao Nong, Plauen, and Li Wenhao. The press is characterized by combining academic and popular science with art appreciation, architecture and garden, and practical lifestyle books, with an emphasis on rich illustrations and accessible presentation of classic works.

版权信息
目录
公版启蒙序
原文诵读
经典译注
一、总叙
二、入则孝出则悌
三、谨而信
四、泛爱众而亲仁
五、行有余力则以学文
小i述典
哭竹生笋
陶母责子
鞭打芦花
卖身葬父
宋濂借书
温公警枕
管宁割席
见贤思齐
改过自新
羽冲读死书

FAQ

Are the ideas of Dizigui outdated in contemporary times?

Its core values — filial piety, benevolence, honesty, and conscientiousness — are universal and enduring, and are not outdated. Some specific behavioral requirements, however, need to be understood in light of modern ideas of equality and independence: draw on the spirit, not the form.

What age of child is this book suitable for?

The three-character lines are catchy and suit children aged five and up for recitation under parental guidance. For understanding the specific meaning, the upper primary grades and above are usually recommended, ideally with annotations.

What distinguishes this edition from others?

Editions from Jiangsu Phoenix Science and Technology Press generally emphasize practicality and readability, with pinyin, annotations, a translation, and brief interpretations in a clear layout, making them suitable as introductory popular editions.

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About the author

李毓秀 Author

Li Yuxiu's biographical details are limited in publicly available sources: neither his dates of birth and death nor his native place or nationality are clearly recorded, and his name has come down to later generations mainly through the elementary primer Dizigui (Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child). Written in simple, rhymed language, Dizigui sets out basic rules for children on daily conduct at home, getting along with others, study, and self-cultivation. Its concise and easy-to-recite style made it long circulated in family instruction and classroom teaching, and it became one of the representative works of traditional elementary education. Five related works by Li Yuxiu are held in the collection, including several editions of Dizigui, an illustrated collector's edition, and a national studies reader combining it with Longwen Bianying. These publications show that his works mostly appear as materials for children's education and the popularization of traditional culture. Common categories include parenting, examinations, Eastern philosophy, inspirational growth, and classic works, reflecting the book's contemporary use as a reader for moral education and an introduction to national studies.