China's calligraphy always pays attention to the temperament and charm of characters, because characters are not only closely related to national culture, but also reflect the writer's character, ambition and ideological realm. Yang Xiong of the Western Han Dynasty said: "Books are also painted in the heart." Xiang Mu, a Ming Dynasty man, said, "The heart is out of virtue, showing economic benefits, standing as pride, standing as a festival, publicizing as a text, and transporting as a pen ...". Liu Xizai in Qing Dynasty also summed up the calligraphy characteristics of people with different identities: "The book of Tessa is warm and mellow, the book of handsome man is thick and unyielding, the book of abnormal condition is immortal, and the book of gifted scholars is beautiful", which is exactly the case. Calligraphers handed down from generation to generation in history are almost all honest and virtuous people. Their morality, personality, integrity and their calligraphy works have been handed down to future generations, which is amazing.
For example, Wang Xizhi's moral character is pure, his words are delicate and elegant, and his manners are peaceful; Yu Shinan, Chu Suiliang and Liu Gongquan's essays are strange in ancient and modern times, and loyalty runs through the sun and the moon. Their calligraphy is simple and full of solemnity; Ou Yangxun and Ouyang Tong have different customs, and their calligraphy is dangerous and beautiful. Su Dongpo's calligraphy is broad-minded and bold; Yan Zhenqing is fearless in times of crisis, vigorous in words, rigorous and complete in statutes. "Knowing what he wants is also the virtue of a gentleman" gives people a sense of integrity. These words are all like people, and people who naturally reveal themselves can appreciate their noble qualities from their calligraphy works.
If a calligrapher's character is noble, his works will be cherished by the world. Such as patriotic stars Yue Fei, Wen Tianxiang and Lin Zexu, they are loyal, upright and stick to their ethics, and their writings are especially protected and loved. If a calligrapher is morally corrupt, his works will not be valued by others. It is useless to try to cover up or make up for his character defects with the achievements of calligraphy. For example, in the Song Dynasty, Qin Gui also studied calligraphy. Because he betrayed the country for glory and framed Zhongliang, his words were also rejected. It is said that "Cai" in the four "Su, Huang, Mi and Cai" in the Song Dynasty originally referred to Cai Jing, but later it was changed to Cai Xiang because of its bad character. Therefore, people who suffer greatly, even if they are proficient in calligraphy, will perish together with others because of their personality.
In traditional culture, good things are measured by moral standards. In fact, whether writing poetry, composition, writing or painting, people's attitudes towards the principled issues of "goodness" and "evil", "righteousness" and "evil" are all manifested. When people look at optimistic and positive works, they will get a good feeling, and they will also be inspired and influenced by the content of the works and the noble morality of the authors, and they will be fascinated. "uninvited books, see the character. Therefore, it is not enough to tell a book without learning, especially without quality. This book also makes sense. " (Shu Dao)
Therefore, if you want to learn books, you must first learn to be a man-to be a person first. Song once said that "if you want to learn poetry, your kung fu is above poetry", which is the same reason, that is, you must cultivate your self-cultivation. The evaluation of calligraphy art is not more exquisite in stippling and composition, but depends on the author's mind, temperament and moral cultivation. In fact, all kinds of arts and skills are made good use of. Only by cultivating the mind and attaching importance to morality, constantly purifying one's mind and subliming one's ideological realm can one show one's spirit and charm and help others better.