Children and grandchildren have fields to plow and books to read, and only ordinary bamboo tools and clothes can inherit the favor of their ancestors; I don't want to be an official, I don't need the integrity of officialdom, I don't complain, I don't listen to the world. Just hand over the task of promoting to a higher position and making a fortune and governing the country and keeping the country safe to future generations.
Zeng Guofan pursued Zhu Cheng's Neo-Confucianism all his life, but he did not blindly worship Zhu Cheng's Neo-Confucianism. In fact, he also borrowed from other schools of Neo-Confucianism in Song and Ming Dynasties. Neo-Confucianism in Song and Ming Dynasties is actually divided into three academic schools: Qi, Neo-Confucianism and Mind.
Extended data:
His outstanding achievements in calligraphy were concealed by his great influence in history. Zeng Guofan's exposition of calligraphy theory can be found in his diary, letters from home and this article. First of all, he had a unique understanding of the theory of the North-South School of Calligraphy thrown by Ruan Yuan at that time. He is both in favor and criticism, and advocates both north and south.
Regarding the origin of calligraphy, he put forward the theory of "Gankun Dayuan". From avenue-masculine beauty-concentration-wonder-atmosphere, from kundao-feminine beauty-unfocused-distance-rhyme, he formed a systematic view of calligraphy theory. Zeng Guofan has been diligent in calligraphy creation all his life, and has gone through a tortuous exploration road from extensive to professional, from inheriting classicism to innovating fashion.
His diary is nearly 6.5438+0.3 million words, which is a rare giant calligraphy work in ancient China. His regular script is vigorous and powerful, and it has erected a formal calligraphy banner that inherits the Tang, Song and Ming Dynasties and combines rigidity with softness. His running script is vigorous, handsome and gorgeous. His small script and running script are models of the whole Qing Dynasty. He should be as famous as his contemporary Bao He.