Modesty and Prudence (Part 1)

Name: Modesty and Prudence (Part 1)
ISBN: 9787801356994

Wu Yaling / 于永玉China Environmental Science Press · ChinaApr 2017

3.2

Word count: 28K words
Chapters: 5
ISBN: 9787801356994

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Summary

China has long been known to the world as a country of ancient civilization and propriety. Stories of ethics and morality—covering determination and diligent study, patriotism and love for the people, punishing evil and promoting good, praising diligence and condemning laziness, serving the country with utmost loyalty, filial piety and respect for teachers, honesty and trustworthiness, modesty and courtesy, and self-discipline and tolerance of others—from the Chinese working people and progressive representatives of all social strata have been passed down from generation to generation for a hundred generations.

Editor's review

Co-authored by scholars Yu Yongyu and Wu Yaling, Humility and Prudence (Volume 1) is an early title from China Environmental Science Press exploring traditional moral character. Focusing on humility and prudence—two virtues long esteemed in Chinese culture—it systematically sorts and explains them across historical origins, classical discussions, anecdotes about notable figures, and practical significance. Rather than simply piling up ancient maxims, the authors attempt to analyze these qualities' contemporary value in personal cultivation, human relationships, and even career development within a modern social context. The book cites a wealth of classics and historical cases in plain language and with clear argumentation, reflecting the editors' solid command of the literature and their effort to translate traditional wisdom into modern terms. Although published quite early and perhaps plain in binding and layout, its core theme—how to keep an inner modesty and prudent conduct in a restless age—has a lasting relevance that transcends its time. For readers hoping to draw nourishment from traditional culture and reflect on their own behavior, this book offers a solid starting point. It is more a steady "guide to self-cultivation" than a collection of thrilling stories; its value lies in repeated insight gained through quiet reading.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in traditional Chinese philosophy and ethics who want a systematic understanding of the cultural origins of the virtue of humility
Young readers in a period of personal growth or career reflection, seeking inner peace and behavioral guidance
Professionals in education, humanities and social science research, or management who need wisdom drawn from traditional culture
General readers who enjoy clearly structured, well-cited expository writing and are eager to explore the philosophy of life

Not a good fit for

Fast-reading readers seeking tight plots, strong entertainment, and trending topics
Pragmatic readers hoping for immediately actionable, step-by-step "success" techniques

Reading tips

Read thematically, in dialogue with relevant chapters of original texts such as The Analects and the Dao De Jing, to deepen understanding
Don't rush; pausing briefly after each chapter to reflect on your own experience works better
This is Volume 1; if its framework and arguments interest you, look for or follow related continuation titles

About the publisher

China Environmental Science Press China · Founded in 1980

Founded in 1980, China Environmental Science Press is a professional publisher directly under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. It mainly publishes academic works, textbooks and popular science books in fields such as environmental management, environmental engineering, environmental law and environmental monitoring, and has released more than 10,000 titles over the years. The library contains 102 of its books, which, in addition to environmental subjects, also cover categories including general biography, education, inspirational growth and parenting. Representative titles include 100 Outstanding Artists of the World, 100 Outstanding Writers of the World, Respecting Teachers and Valuing Education, Management Maxims, Unity and Mutual Assistance, Maturity and Self-Confidence, and Honor, Disgrace, Benefit and Harm, while representative authors include Feng Hua, Bi Shang, Wu Yaling, Yu Yongyu and Li Ming. Overall, while maintaining its professional environmental publishing, the press also offers general-interest biography, education and personal-growth titles; public information on its specific environmental book series and author roster is limited.

前言
一、德治教化
二、自律修身
三、人生理想
四、勤勉劝学

FAQ

Is this book a storybook or a theoretical work?

It is a cultural reader weighted toward exposition and interpretation. It explores humility and prudence mainly by citing classics, analyzing concepts, and giving historical examples, rather than telling a continuous story.

Do the book's views apply to the modern workplace and society?

The authors do attempt analysis in a modern context. The principles discussed—sizing up the situation, treating others with humility, and cultivating oneself through vigilant solitude—still offer positive lessons for interpersonal relations and professional cultivation in the modern workplace, though readers need to adapt and apply them to actual circumstances.

Does reading it require a strong command of classical Chinese?

Not necessarily. Most classical passages cited come with explanations and context, and the authors' main discussion is in modern Chinese, so there is no great obstacle to grasping the core ideas. A grounding in traditional culture will, of course, help you appreciate the citations and cases more.

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About the author

Wu Yaling Author · Chinese

Wu Yaling has served as principal of Yucai Yikang Primary School in Wuhan since 2008. Recognized as one of China's top one hundred outstanding principals and as an advanced principal in national moral education, she is also a backbone teacher in Hubei Province, a Wuhan subject leader, and an outstanding teacher in the city. She has edited textbooks such as Role Models for national distribution, published numerous papers on education, and in 2023 released the monograph The Splendor of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Education with Central China Normal University Press. Her works address themes including respect for teachers, solidarity and mutual help, patriotism, and mature self-confidence, and are commonly classified under education, philosophy readings, parenting, and inspirational growth. They focus on character development for young people and on teachers' educational practice, combining traditional virtues with everyday teaching in plain, accessible language.

于永玉 Author

Yu Yongyu is an author about whom limited public information is available. It is known that the author mainly works on Chinese books in the fields of education, philosophical reading, and inspirational personal growth, with fifty-one titles held in the collection. The writing centers on moral cultivation and character development, as seen in representative works such as Respecting Teachers and Valuing Education, On Traditional Chinese Morality, Unity and Mutual Help, Maturity and Self-Confidence, Honor, Shame, Benefit and Harm, Love, Hatred, Gain and Loss, Patriotism and Serving the Country, and Being Worthy of the Name. These works often take traditional moral concepts as their starting point and connect them with everyday topics of conduct. Written in plain language, they are aimed at young readers and general readers interested in parenting and self-improvement, emphasizing value guidance rather than scholarly inquiry, and are therefore commonly classified under education, philosophical reading, and inspirational growth.