Notes on Two Original Versions of The Book of Rites

The Book of Rites, also known as The Book of Rites of Little Dai and The Sutra of Little Dai, was written in the Han Dynasty and is said to have been compiled by Dai Sheng, a ritualist in the Western Han Dynasty.

Original: Although there is delicious food, I don't know its purpose; Although there is supreme Tao, learning, I don't know its goodness. It is to learn and then know the deficiency, and to teach and then know the difficulty. If you don't know enough, then you can reverse; Advance despite difficulties, and then strive for self-improvement. So teaching and learning are also beneficial. "Duiming" said: "Learning half, this is nothing!"

Although there are delicious dishes, you don't know if they are sweet unless you eat them. Although there is the best truth, you don't know its benefits unless you study. Therefore, after learning, you will know your own shortcomings, and after teaching, you will know that you are confused. Know your own shortcomings so that you can reflect on yourself later; Know where you are confused, so that you can encourage yourself later.

Therefore, preaching, teaching and solving doubts complement each other. Teaching others can also increase your own knowledge. The book "Redemption" says: "Teaching is half of learning, which is probably the reason!"

Note: Avenue: refers to the political system respected by Confucianism in ancient times.

works appreciation

This paper draws a point that needs to be clarified by analogy, pointing out that teaching and learning promote each other and complement each other, that is, "teaching and learning complement each other", telling us the truth of practical knowledge and the importance of work, study and practice. It expresses the author's good wishes for establishing a social system without monarchy, equality, freedom and exploitation and oppression in the future, and reflects the darkness of society at that time from the side.

"Don't be close to your parents, don't just be your own son and son" means that everyone can put themselves in others' shoes, extend their intention of caring for their parents and raising their children to others, and make the whole society feel like a family. "Providing for the old, being useful to the strong and being good at the young" means making appropriate arrangements for people of all ages, especially those who are "lonely and disabled"