1. This book is designed for the moral-cultivation courses in middle schools.
2. The book is divided into two parts: the first part focuses on practice, and the second on theory. As moral cultivation is rooted in practice, the first part is more detailed.
3. The teaching of moral-cultivation methods should not merely require students to recite the book content, nor should it simply rely on teachers’ book-based explanations. Instead, various real-life aspects should be incorporated to explain its principles: drawing on historical anecdotes or recent current affairs to inspire students’ thinking. The brevity of this book leaves room for teachers to supplement with extensive references and examples.
4. This book is completely grounded in the moral principles of ancient Chinese sages. It also draws from the ethics of major Western scholars, carefully selecting and adapting them to suit today’s society. The ideas and theories proposed are intended to be practical, and the language strives for clarity. I sincerely hope that my painstaking efforts will be duly appreciated.
Part I................................................................................................................................................................ 1
Chapter One: Self-Cultivation...................................................................................................................... 1
Chapter Two: Family....................................................................................................................................26
Chapter Three: Society ................................................................................................................................ 43
Chapter Four: Nation...................................................................................................................................62
Chapter Five: Occupations..........................................................................................................................71
Part Ⅱ............................................................................................................................................................81
Chapter One: Introduction..........................................................................................................................81
Chapter Two: On Conscience ......................................................................................................................83
Chapter Three: On Aspirations...................................................................................................................88
Chapter Four: On Fundamental Duties.....................................................................................................94
Chapter Five: On Virtue .............................................................................................................................. 98
Chapter Six: Conclusion............................................................................................................................ 101
Handouts for Chinese Workers, School................................................................................................... 102
Thirty Essays on Moral Education........................................................................................................... 103
Unity .............................................................................................................................................................103
Sacrificing Oneself for the Group............................................................................................................. 104
Pay Attention to Public Hygiene ............................................................................................................... 106
Cherishing Public Buildings and Goods...................................................................................................107
Contributing to the Public Good...............................................................................................................108
Do Not Do to Others What You Do Not Want Others to Do to You...................................................... 110
Be Strict with Yourself and Lenient with Others.....................................................................................111
Do Not Fear the Strong and Bully the Weak............................................................................................113
Caring for the Weak................................................................................................................................... 114
Love for Animals.........................................................................................................................................115
On the Importance of Keeping Promises and Punctuality .....................................................................117
Caution Against Mockery and Contempt.................................................................................................119
Caution Against Slander and Defamation............................................................................................... 121
Avoiding Abusive Language ...................................................................................................................... 123
Civilization and Luxury ............................................................................................................................. 125
Rational Belief and Superstition............................................................................................................... 127
Reason and Reverence for Authority ........................................................................................................129
Perseverance and Stubbornness................................................................................................................131
Freedom and Indulgence ............................................................................................................................133
Composure and Indifference ..................................................................................................................... 134
Enthusiasm and Wild Ambition................................................................................................................ 137
Sharpness and Impetuosity ........................................................................................................................139
Decisiveness and Recklessness...................................................................................................................141
Meticulousness and Suspicion................................................................................................................... 143
Stressing on Cleanliness and Excessive Cleanliness................................................................................145
Mutual Aid and Dependence ..................................................................................................................... 147
Love and Lust..............................................................................................................................................149
Rectitude and Rigidity ............................................................................................................................... 151
Caution and Timidity ................................................................................................................................. 153
Perseverance and Conservatism............................................................................................................... 155
The Ten Articles on Intellectual Education..............................................................................................157
Writing.........................................................................................................................................................157
Painting ........................................................................................................................................................158
Music ............................................................................................................................................................ 160
Drama .......................................................................................................................................................... 161
Poetry........................................................................................................................................................... 163
History..........................................................................................................................................................165
Geography ................................................................................................................................................... 167
Architecture .................................................................................................................................................168
Sculpture ......................................................................................................................................................170
Decoration................................................................................................................................................... 172
Other Discussions........................................................................................................................................174
Statement of the Social Reform Association............................................................................................ 174
Worldview and Life View...........................................................................................................................178
Cultivating Beautiful and Noble Thoughts Speech at the Shanghai Chengdong Girls’ School......... 183
The Inaugural Speech as President of Peking University ...................................................................... 190
Speech at the Joint Lecture of the Professional Dedication, Study, and Oratory Societies at Nankai
School ......................................................................................................................................................... 193
Scientific Cultivation-Speech at the Cultivation Society of the Beijing Higher Normal School........ 197
Duties and Rights-Speech at the Beijing Women’s Normal School.......................................................201
My View on New Life ................................................................................................................................. 205
On the Youth Movement............................................................................................................................ 206
How to Be a True Modern Student........................................................................................................... 208
Aesthetic Education and Life .................................................................................................................... 214
My Reading Experience ............................................................................................................................. 216
Appendix: My Experience at Peking University..................................................................................... 218
Chapter One: Self-Cultivation...................................................................................................................... 1
Chapter Two: Family....................................................................................................................................26
Chapter Three: Society ................................................................................................................................ 43
Chapter Four: Nation...................................................................................................................................62
Chapter Five: Occupations..........................................................................................................................71
Part Ⅱ............................................................................................................................................................81
Chapter One: Introduction..........................................................................................................................81
Chapter Two: On Conscience ......................................................................................................................83
Chapter Three: On Aspirations...................................................................................................................88
Chapter Four: On Fundamental Duties.....................................................................................................94
Chapter Five: On Virtue .............................................................................................................................. 98
Chapter Six: Conclusion............................................................................................................................ 101
Handouts for Chinese Workers, School................................................................................................... 102
Thirty Essays on Moral Education........................................................................................................... 103
Unity .............................................................................................................................................................103
Sacrificing Oneself for the Group............................................................................................................. 104
Pay Attention to Public Hygiene ............................................................................................................... 106
Cherishing Public Buildings and Goods...................................................................................................107
Contributing to the Public Good...............................................................................................................108
Do Not Do to Others What You Do Not Want Others to Do to You...................................................... 110
Be Strict with Yourself and Lenient with Others.....................................................................................111
Do Not Fear the Strong and Bully the Weak............................................................................................113
Caring for the Weak................................................................................................................................... 114
Love for Animals.........................................................................................................................................115
On the Importance of Keeping Promises and Punctuality .....................................................................117
Caution Against Mockery and Contempt.................................................................................................119
Caution Against Slander and Defamation............................................................................................... 121
Avoiding Abusive Language ...................................................................................................................... 123
Civilization and Luxury ............................................................................................................................. 125
Rational Belief and Superstition............................................................................................................... 127
Reason and Reverence for Authority ........................................................................................................129
Perseverance and Stubbornness................................................................................................................131
Freedom and Indulgence ............................................................................................................................133
Composure and Indifference ..................................................................................................................... 134
Enthusiasm and Wild Ambition................................................................................................................ 137
Sharpness and Impetuosity ........................................................................................................................139
Decisiveness and Recklessness...................................................................................................................141
Meticulousness and Suspicion................................................................................................................... 143
Stressing on Cleanliness and Excessive Cleanliness................................................................................145
Mutual Aid and Dependence ..................................................................................................................... 147
Love and Lust..............................................................................................................................................149
Rectitude and Rigidity ............................................................................................................................... 151
Caution and Timidity ................................................................................................................................. 153
Perseverance and Conservatism............................................................................................................... 155
The Ten Articles on Intellectual Education..............................................................................................157
Writing.........................................................................................................................................................157
Painting ........................................................................................................................................................158
Music ............................................................................................................................................................ 160
Drama .......................................................................................................................................................... 161
Poetry........................................................................................................................................................... 163
History..........................................................................................................................................................165
Geography ................................................................................................................................................... 167
Architecture .................................................................................................................................................168
Sculpture ......................................................................................................................................................170
Decoration................................................................................................................................................... 172
Other Discussions........................................................................................................................................174
Statement of the Social Reform Association............................................................................................ 174
Worldview and Life View...........................................................................................................................178
Cultivating Beautiful and Noble Thoughts Speech at the Shanghai Chengdong Girls’ School......... 183
The Inaugural Speech as President of Peking University ...................................................................... 190
Speech at the Joint Lecture of the Professional Dedication, Study, and Oratory Societies at Nankai
School ......................................................................................................................................................... 193
Scientific Cultivation-Speech at the Cultivation Society of the Beijing Higher Normal School........ 197
Duties and Rights-Speech at the Beijing Women’s Normal School.......................................................201
My View on New Life ................................................................................................................................. 205
On the Youth Movement............................................................................................................................ 206
How to Be a True Modern Student........................................................................................................... 208
Aesthetic Education and Life .................................................................................................................... 214
My Reading Experience ............................................................................................................................. 216
Appendix: My Experience at Peking University..................................................................................... 218
Fang Lihua currently serves as a college English teacher. Her primary research focuses on applied
linguistics, second language acquisition, and English teaching methodologies, which provides a solid
theoretical foundation for her translation work. With years of experience in university English teaching, she has not only honed her language skills but also developed a unique understanding of cross-cultural
communication. This understanding is a significant asset in her translation practice, enabling her to
accurately convey the cultural connotations and nuances of the original text. She has published multiple
papers in academic journals and contributed to the compilation of English textbooks and teaching materials, actively promoting the reform and development of English education. Additionally, she has participated in
numerous academic conferences, sharing teaching research outcomes and striving to enhance the quality
and effectiveness of English instruction.