Meaning: If a woman has no talent, she must have moral character.
De means: moral character.
From: Zhang Dai [Ming Dynasty] "Public Sacrifice to Mrs. Qi".
Original sentence: If a husband is virtuous, he is talented; if a woman is devoid of talent, she is virtuous.
Explanation: Women do not need to be talented, they only need to obey their husbands.
This sentence should be quoted by Chen as saying by an "elder". Although this saying was only born in the late Ming Dynasty, it has already taken root. The traditional concept of talent and morality is its soil. "Morality is more important than talent" has always been the belief of the Chinese people, regardless of gender. In addition, the Chinese always advocate that men should put "virtue" first and would rather give up "talent" in favor of "virtue". Therefore, it is said that "a man with virtue is a talent."
As for women, the Chinese have always not valued their talents and learning, but valued their "women's virtues", and were afraid that "talents would hinder their virtues". Therefore, there is a saying that "a woman's lack of talents is her virtue". talk. The so-called "talent" in a broad sense certainly includes talents and wisdom in all aspects. However, because Chinese women's life circle was relatively narrow in the past, there was no better way to show their "talent" than poetry and poetry. Therefore, "talent" is often used in a narrow sense. Refers to "literary talent".
Extended information:
Li Yu’s analysis of this sentence
Li Yu, a famous talent in the Qing Dynasty, once expressed his opinion on this sentence: "A woman without talent is "Virtue" is an angry word, similar to accompanying the king like a tiger. Some people get into trouble because they become officials, so they warn future generations not to become officials. Some people get into trouble because beautiful women are talented, so they encourage beautiful women to become illiterate. That's it.
The ancients believed that a woman can be talented, but she cannot show her talents, especially in front of her husband. She must let her husband show her talents because he is masculine; and a woman is feminine. Yes, she is humble and virtuous, so she does not show off her talents easily. She must look like she has no talents. That is her virtue. What is this called? This is called womanly virtue, the virtue of humility.
A woman’s nature is like the earth, so what are the characteristics of the earth? We pick up a handful of soil from the ground. Can this handful of soil be eaten, drunk, or worn? Neither can. Without any talent, nothing is more simple than this. Just like ancient women, they are simple and unpretentious. They know how to wash pots and dishes, do housework, serve the elderly, and care for their husbands and children every day.
She seems to have no special skills or talents. But it is precisely this handful of soil that the grains and vegetables we eat, and the clothes we wear, this is cotton, all grow from the ground.
What does it mean? She has no talent, but she can make her children, grandchildren, and husband very talented. She can raise people and teach her husband and children. Although this gift is simple and unpretentious, she raises the most talented people. Pillar. The root cause is the virtue of a great woman, that is her nature.
Li Yu questioned all the above explanations: "I want to speak but he is silent, I want to be quiet but he is noisy, the answer is not what I asked, what I answer is not what I ask for", which means that Li Yu wants to be with his wife and concubines She was silent when he was talking, and she spoke loudly when he wanted to be quiet. When he chatted with her, he didn't answer questions, and he didn't respond to requests.
This is Li Yu’s lament about the concubines in his house but none of them have any cultural taste. How can a woman without talent be able to support her husband and raise her children? Li Yu believes that no matter which statement is made, it is just an excuse for the real purpose of "a woman's lack of talent is virtue".