On Weighing Talent

Wang ChongBashu Publishing House · ChinaJul 2024

4.3

Word count: 3.1K words
Chapters: 2

Summary

This chapter mainly discusses how to measure the relative ability of Ru scholars and clerical officials, hence the title “Cheng Cai.” Ru scholars refers to those who study the Five Classics; clerical officials refers to ordinary officials versed in administrative affairs.

Editor's review

“Cheng Cai” is a famous chapter in Wang Chong’s Balanced Discourses discussing the criteria for measuring talent, here published as a stand-alone volume by Bashu Shushe for concentrated study. The chapter compares two types of talent: Ru scholars, who study the Five Classics and excel in theory and moral principle, and clerical officials, who are versed in administrative affairs and excel in practical matters and statutes. Wang Chong is not satisfied with a simple judgment of superiority; he asks by what standard one should “measure talent,” and thus touches on the fundamental questions of talent cultivation, selection, and appointment. His argument has the debating style of a Han thinker, with meticulous logical progression and concrete examples; reading it reveals both the governance and scholarly climate of the time and offers a mirror for today’s discussions of ability versus credentials and theory versus practice. The book is suitable as an entry to close reading of selected chapters of Balanced Discourses, and also for readers concerned with ancient Chinese thought on talent and Han political culture. When reading, it is best to keep in mind the Han recommendation system and the relationship between Ru scholars and clerical officials in order to appreciate the practical thrust of Wang Chong’s argument; the single chapter is not long, so it can be chewed over repeatedly.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers of Chinese intellectual history who want to read a single chapter of Balanced Discourses closely and understand Wang Chong’s view of talent
Students of literature and history researching the Han selection system and the relationship between Ru scholars and clerical officials
General readers interested in criteria for evaluating ability and the relationship between theory and practice

Not a good fit for

Beginner readers hoping for vernacular stories or light popular introductions
Researchers expecting a complete, fully annotated edition of Balanced Discourses
Readers impatient with Han thought and classical argumentation

Reading tips

First read the original through once, marking key sentences that compare Ru scholars and clerical officials, then review Wang Chong’s layers of argument.
Read alongside basic material on the Han recommendation system and the relationship between Ru scholars and clerical officials to understand the chapter’s practical point.
After reading, compare Wang Chong’s criteria with contemporary talent evaluation and write down your own judgment.

About the publisher

Bashu Publishing House China · Founded in 1983

Bashu Publishing House is a publisher centered on collating and publishing classical Chinese cultural texts, with its main publishing areas covering classical literature, Eastern philosophy, ancient poetry, and educational classics. Its library currently holds 1,075 titles, including representative works such as Dream of the Red Chamber, the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering, Renjian Cihua, and Out to the Frontier, involving authors such as Cao Xueqin, Wang Xizhi, Wang Guowei, Wang Changling, Liu Xie, and Yan Yu. These reflect the publisher's focus on literary classics, poetry criticism, and philosophical readings. Its publishing character lies in working around ancient texts and canonical works, with attention to textual collation and presentation. Public information on its more detailed publishing background and series plans is limited; this introduction is based only on the library's book information.

版权信息
卷十二

FAQ

What does “Cheng Cai” mean in the chapter title?

“Cheng” means to measure or assess, and “cai” means ability. The title means measuring the relative talent of people; specifically, it discusses how to compare the abilities of Ru scholars and clerical officials and asks whether the criteria of evaluation themselves are reasonable.

Whom do Ru scholars and clerical officials refer to in Wang Chong’s text?

According to the chapter’s definitions, Ru scholars are those who study the Five Classics, emphasizing theory and moral principle; clerical officials are ordinary officials versed in administrative affairs, emphasizing practical matters and statutes. By comparing the two, Wang Chong argues that measuring talent should not cling to one side.

Is a stand-alone chapter suitable for readers with no background in Balanced Discourses?

Yes, but it requires some patience with classical Chinese. It is best to first understand the Han intellectual and administrative background in which Wang Chong lived, then read paragraph by paragraph; those who rely entirely on vernacular explanation may find it difficult.

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About the author

Wang Chong Author · Chinese

Wang Chong (27–c. 97), courtesy name Zhongren, was a native of Shangyu in Kuaiji (present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang). A thinker, literary critic, and atheist of the Eastern Han, he entered the Imperial Academy in Luoyang in his youth and studied under Ban Biao; later he left office, stayed at home, and devoted himself to writing. His representative work, the eighty-five-chapter Lunheng (Balanced Inquiries), criticizes Chenwei superstition and the theory of interactions between Heaven and humanity, advocates a naturalist theory of qi, and stands as an important representative of Han-dynasty materialist thought. Wang Chong valued evidence and analysis in his writing, often developing arguments through questions and debates in a plain but sharp style. The collection holds sixty-nine of his works, including such pieces as Shizhi pian, Wenkong pian, Ziran pian, Daoxu pian, Duizuo pian, and Hanwen pian, covering philosophy, social criticism, and literary appreciation. He championed independent thinking and opposed blind submission to authority, exerting a lasting influence on later thought and literary criticism.