Page 145 - 2022(1) International Confusion Studies

138 J. Yuan

3 The Modern View of the Concept of Being Mild
and Gentle, Sincere and Broadminded

The concept of “being mild and gentle, sincere and broadminded” first appeared in
line with the rulers’ need to teach the six arts. The chapter “Explanation of the Six
Arts” of The Book of Rites depicts the ideal rule of the rulers of the unified feudal
autocratic country as follows: “With regard to the Son of Heaven, he comes after
Heaven and Earth. Therefore, the Son of Heaven’s virtue is comparable to that of
Heaven and Earth, and his blessings are universal, and his brightness is compa-
rable to that of the sun and the moon, shining on Earth without missing any corner.
At court, he represents benevolence, sageness, propriety, and righteousness; when
he retires from court, he listens to appropriate music; when he walks, the jade
pendants he wears ring rhythmically; when he boards the chariot, its bells sound a
harmonious tune. In everyday life, his words and deeds all accord with certain
rituals and rules; all the officials are in proper positions, and everything is in
order.” (Ruan, 2009, pp. 3493–3494)
It was the will of China’s autocratic rulers through the ages to ensure that the
six arts were taught so that its subjects cultivated their character and submit to
the country, and to realize their ideal political situation. This might be the will of
the Chinese rulers throughout the ages. The Kangxi Emperor (康熙皇帝 1654–1722)
of the Qing Dynasty (1616–1911) said in the “The Preface to The Imperial Selection of
):
Tang Poems” (《御选唐诗序》 “Confucius said, ‘If the people are mild and gentle,
sincere and broadminded, this is because they study The Book of Songs.’ The poems
of this collection may vary in style, but they all advocate the notion of being mild
and gentle, sincere and broadminded. Those elegant and delicate poems which
stress worries and complaints, though well-written, are not selected. This collec-
tion is designed to help our readers express their aspirations and acquire a peace of
mind. The positive moving voices of the ancient people are also encouraged here in
this collection” (Yun, 1986, p. 538). This clearly expresses the ruler’s interpretation
of the concept of being mild and gentle, sincere and broadminded in The Book of
Songs. As a result of the decision to select poems advocating the notion of being
mild and gentle, sincere and broadminded, Du Fu’s Sanli and Sanbie [三吏三别,
referring to “The Officer of Xin’an” (Owen, 2016, pp. 82–85), “The Officer at Tong
Pass” (Owen, 2016, pp. 85–87), “The Officer at Stone Moat” (Owen, 2016, pp. 86–
89); “Newlyweds Parted” (Owen, 2016, pp. 88–91), “Parted When Getting Old”
(Owen, 2016, pp. 92–95), “Parted Without a Family” (Owen, 2016, pp. 95–97)] and
Bai Juyi’s(白居易 772–846) new Yuefu poems and some poems reflecting people’s
hardships were not selected. This reflects the mindset of Qing Dynasty rulers who