Daily Record

吴与弼Jul 2024

3.8

Word count: 15K words
Chapters: 4

Summary

Traditional Chinese thought has a long history and is highly original, inventive and literary. Early thought forms have distinctive features: religious theology, classical Chinese medical texts, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and the Hundred Schools, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, and customs and local gazetteers—all are profound and extensive. This series, "Essential Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture," preserves the original appearance of the books and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers can cultivate their temperament and subtly appreciate the classics of Chinese learning.

Editor's review

Ri Lu is a work by the Ming scholar Wu Yubi and belongs to the tradition of Confucian self-cultivation diaries. Wu Yubi was an important figure in early Ming Neo-Confucianism and emphasized realizing principle through daily practice; this book embodies that inward, day-by-day method of self-examination in learning. As part of the "Essential Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture" series, it preserves the original appearance of the text and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional thought and culture. Its value lies in showing readers that Neo-Confucianism existed not only in grand theories but also in the small, detailed records of daily speech and conduct, reading, and self-reflection. The language is plain and unadorned, suited to slow reading. For readers who want to understand Ming Neo-Confucian self-cultivation practice, or who wish to use the diary-style writing of the ancients to reflect on their own learning, this book offers practical reference value. When reading, it is best to consider Wu Yubi's life and the early Ming intellectual background; one should not seek plot but rather appreciate his methods of perseverance and self-examination.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Ming Neo-Confucianism and the Confucian self-cultivation tradition
Readers who enjoy diary-style and note-style writing by the ancients
Readers who wish to use traditional cultivation methods to reflect on themselves
Students of Chinese intellectual history who need supplementary primary sources

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking storytelling and entertaining reading experiences
Those who want a systematic overview of Chinese learning but are unwilling to read primary texts closely

Reading tips

Read a small section each day and write a few reflections alongside your self-examination; there is no need to rush.
First learn about Wu Yubi and the early Ming Neo-Confucian background, then approach the text.
Excerpt and categorize the self-cultivation entries in the book for later review.
Read alongside Neo-Confucian anthologies such as Jinsi Lu to understand its scholarly position.

版权信息
日录
一
二

FAQ

What is Ri Lu mainly about?

It is Wu Yubi's day-by-day record of self-cultivation and learning, emphasizing self-examination and perseverance in daily practice. It belongs to the literature of Confucian self-cultivation practice and is not a systematic theoretical work.

What background is needed to read this book?

It is best to have a basic understanding of Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism and know what Neo-Confucians cared about. If you have had no exposure at all, you can first read accessible introductory works on Neo-Confucianism, then return to the original text.

Is this book suitable for reading straight through?

Not very. Diary-style writing is best read slowly in small amounts, comparing it with yourself as you read. Reading it all at once easily becomes skimming, and you may miss the meaning of its self-examination practice.

Comments

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About the author

吴与弼 Author

Wu Yubi appears in Chinese bibliographic records, but his life, dates of birth and death, and nationality are no longer clearly ascertainable, and publicly available information is limited. One work attributed to him survives in the collection, the Rilu (Daily Records), classified under Eastern philosophy. Judging from its title and category, the book is likely a diary or notebook of Confucian self-cultivation, recording daily conduct, reading reflections, and the observation of mind and nature. Its style is plain and concise, without ornamentation, and it stresses self-examination and personal practice. Works of this kind are often regarded by later readers as primary sources for the author's thought and the scholarly ethos of his time, and they offer reference value for understanding the tradition of Confucianism that emphasizes daily practical effort. Because the relevant documents are scattered and lack systematic arrangement, Wu Yubi's overall body of work and scholarly standing await further verification, and readers should consult the original text with care.