📖 Thousand Character Classic

The darkling skies and yellow earth, amid great chaos had their birth. Then Sun and Moon their courses ran, then stars were set and round they span. Then cold and heat arrived by turns, with reaping, keeping, man's concerns. The extra days in leap years strewn, it's yin and yang that call the tune. When clouds are formed, the rain is made. When dew drops freeze, the frost is laid. The Goldsand streams in gold abound. From Kunlun mountains jade is found. The best of swords is Giant's Might. The best of pearls is Bright-at-night. For fruit the plum and apple are great. And mustard and ginger are loved on the plate. The seas catch salt where rivers pour, the scaled submerge, the feathered soar. The Dragon Chief, the Fire Divine, the Bird Officials, Kings in line. Then writing rose and clothes were made, the throne was ceded, none forbade. King Tang of Shang and King Fa of Zhou, with care relieved the people's woe. To lift the people, punish crimes, did Kings Fa and Tang in glorious times. They ruled with care from courtly seat, their governance made all complete. They cherished folk of every land, and tamed the tribes with gentle hand. All near and far embraced as one, beneath the scepter of the Crown. Phoenixes flute midst bamboos green, snow colts in fields at peace are seen. Their virtue touched each plant and tree, and blessed the earth abundantly.

Our bodies are composed of the four elements and five virtues. We are nurtured with care, and dare not cause harm. Women admire chastity, men emulate talent and virtue. Recognize mistakes and correct them, never forget your abilities. Do not speak of others' shortcomings, nor rely on your own strengths. Trust can be restored, but character is hard to measure. Ink laments the dyeing of silk, poetry praises the lamb. Noble deeds are the path of the virtuous, contemplation leads to sainthood. Virtue builds reputation, appearance reflects integrity. Hollow Valley echoes sound, empty halls cultivate listening. Disaster arises from accumulated evil, blessings come from celebrating goodness. A foot of jade is not treasure, an inch of time is precious. Serve your father and your lord with strictness and respect. Filial piety requires full effort, loyalty demands complete devotion. Walk cautiously on thin ice, rise early to warmth and coolness. Like the fragrance of orchids, like the flourishing of Songzhi. Rivers flow unceasingly, clear depths reflect each other. Composure reflects thought, words convey stability. ...Music distinguishes rank, rites separate status. Harmony above, unity below, husband leads, wife follows. Receive external teachings, uphold maternal virtues. Aunts and uncles, treat nephews as sons. Cherish brothers, connected like Twinbloom.

In the splendor of the Central Plains stands the capital, flanked east and west by twin imperial cities. With Mount Mang at its back and the Luo River before it, it floats above the Wei, guards the banks of the Jing. Palaces coil in grandeur, towers soar to startling heights. Walls are adorned with painted beasts and colored spirits of the immortals. Bingshe halls open alongside, Jiazhang canopies face the pillars. Banquets are laid and seats arranged, zithers strummed, flutes and reed-pipes played. Steps ascend and platforms rise, official caps glint like stars in motion. To the right, one reaches the Inner Court; to the left, the Chengming Hall. Here the ancient classics are gathered, and the finest minds assembled. Calligraphy in Du and Zhong styles, scriptures inked on lacquered walls. The court teems with ministers and generals, the roads with noble lords and knights. Each household commands eight counties, each family maintains a thousand troops. With lofty caps they ride by the Emperor's chariot, axle to axle, tassels swaying. Their inherited ranks are lavish, their carriages broad and sleek. Deeds are recorded, merits inscribed etched in stone, immortal in name.

Pang Xi and Yi Yin, advisors of their time, supported the ruler. Who would have established Qufu without Dan's subtle guidance? Duke Huan united forces, aiding the weak and supporting the fallen. Han Hui's eloquence moved Wu Ding. Talented individuals were diligent, many scholars brought stability. Jin and Chu alternated in dominance, Zhao and Wei struggled against aggression. Borrowing paths to destroy Guo, meeting at Tu for alliances. How did they adhere to treaties, Han suffered under burdensome laws. Jian and Po Mu, their military prowess was unmatched. Their fame spread across deserts, their reputation immortalized in paintings. Yu's footprints marked the nine provinces, Qin unified the hundred counties. The sacred mountains revered, the Zenith at Cloud Pavilion. Purple Fortress, Yanmen Pass, Jitian Post, Chicheng City, Kunming, Pool, Jieshi Mountain, Juye Lake and Dongting Lake. They are vast and distant, the peaks obscure and mysterious.

Two sages saw the opportunity, freed from constraints. Seeking solitude, silent and alone. Searching for ancient wisdom, thoughts scattered in freedom. Joyful music dispels worries, sorrow bids farewell to joy. The lotus blooms, the garden flourishes. Loquats turn late green, phoenix trees fall early. Old roots lie hidden, fallen leaves flutter. The lone bird soars, reaching the crimson sky. Indulging in reading and market sights, eyes roam over treasures. Easy things are feared, ears heed walls. Meals are prepared, satisfying the palate and filling the stomach. Feast on cooked dishes, hunger despises chaff. Relatives and old friends, young and old have different tastes. The maid guards the weaving, waiting in the chamber. Silk fans round and clean, silver candles brightly shine. Day naps and evening sleeps, bamboo and ivory beds. Melody and feast, cups raised in celebration. Hands raised, feet stamped, joy and health abound.