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Values & Virtues 人之初,性本善。 性相近,习相远。 苟 不 教，性 乃 迁 。 教 之 道，贵 以 专 。 People at birth Are good by nature. Their natures are much the same, But their habits become widely different. If foolishly there is no teaching, the nature will deteriorate. The right way in teaching is to attach the utmost importance in thoroughness.
THE THREE CHARACTER CLASSIC
Rediscovering Our Innate Good Nature By Jade Pearce | Epoch Times Staff
The Three Character Classic, or San Zi Jing (三字经), is the best known classic Chinese text for children. Written by Wang Yinlian (1223–1296) during the Song Dynasty, it has been memorised by generations of Chinese, both young and old. Until the 1800s, the Three Character Classic was the very first text that every child would study. The text’s rhythmic, short, and simple three-character verses allowed for easy reading and memorisation. This enabled children to learn common characters, grammar structures, lessons from Chinese history, and above all how to conduct oneself. However, after the Cultural Revolution in China, the Three Character Classic was banned and eventually fell into disuse. In this series, we revive and review this great Chinese classic, drawing ancient lessons of wisdom for our modern-day lives. Continued on the next page
36 November 20–December 3, 2015
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