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Seventeen years on the streets, living and working with the people of China, Jeff
For donations, print books, ebooks, audiobooks and Jeff’s libraries, please see at the bottom of this post.
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My introduction
A work in progress
This project, Noble Attributes of Chinese Civilization, is a work in progress and will undoubtedly evolve.
Several years ago, I started out with simply two lines about Confucius, then expanded to Laozi, and it became a full page long. Slowly, I added Mencius, Zhuangzi, Mao Zedong and recently it reached its current version. During that time, I developed the idea of having mottoes, core values and how might Gen Zers might want to say it, as well as including some Chinese and Pinyin for language learners. It is now eight pages long, including a map of where all of the great Zhou dynasty philosophers came from.
13 or 16?
Go through the list of all these great philosopher-teachers and there are 16, if you split out Confucius’ three students, Zigong, Yan Hui and Zilu. If you put these three together, there’s a total of 13. Even though there are many more Sino-savants across the millennia, I’ve kept it very concise. It’s a great way to get a good education about Chinese Thought, how the Chinese think. I like to call it a cheat sheet to get an honorary diploma in Chinese Studies!
These ancient philosopher-teachers course through Chinese veins
Just because these teachers go back thousands of years, believe me, they are not forgotten. Chinese know these philosopher-teachers up to today, know something about them, can often cite quotes by them and tell you something of their lives. Chinese leaders and notable frequently quote them, including Xi Jinping in his speeches.
Therefore, I encourage you to refer to it over time to get a feel for Chinese thought. For starters, reflect on how the Chinese developed the concept of People’s Democracy 3,000 years ago!
For excellent background, I wrote an article about my seventy-one-year spiritual journey
My long, slow arc of spiritual awareness from childhood Presbyterianism to Eastern Thought today. With expanded and improved, printable “Noble Attributes of Chinese Civilization” summary. Radio Sinoland 260213
In the conclusion of that article, I talk about how three Western philosophies come closest to Eastern Thought: Plato, Socrates and the Stoics. Unfortunately, they were sidelined by the Aristotelians, because Aristotle represented the psychopathic, dictatorial interests of the rich, the powerful, basically proposing a totalitarian police state. Of course, that’s what we Judeo-Westerners ended up with.
Happy Chinese Lunar New Year of the Male Red Fire Horse!
Evelyne and I wish you a happy, healthy and safe Chinese Lunar New Year of the Male Red Fire Horse!
It’s gonna be an exciting one. The year of the Male Red Fire Horse only comes around every 60 years. They are usually full of uncertainty, unpredictability, problems, violence and the like. Humanity’s Goyim are already suffering all this trauma big time, thanks to the Talmud-Tanakh psychopath dictators who are running the Judeo-capitalist-imperialist, non-communist-socialist world.
Take care, Jeff
It’s all here in a downloadable eight-page summary to post on your refrigerator, bulletin board, in your notebook or by your bedside!
Noble Attributes of Chinese Civilization, updated and expanded 260306
Noble Attributes of Chinese Civilization
A Radio Sinoland Cultural Cheat Sheet, seven printable pages to earn your Chinese Studies Degree!
By: Jeff J. Brown
With Mandarin and Pinyin for language learners…
Zhou Gong (周公 = Zhōu Gōng, born 1050BC). Zhou is a common family name. Gong means Public & Authority.
Why he matters: He was a wise king who laid the philosophical foundations for People’s Democracy, Confucism and Chinese Thought.
Motto: No more divine leaders who conduct human sacrifices. Forevermore, the Heavenly Mandate is based on the citizens’ consent (People’s Democracy). The foundations of social harmony are Virtue, Ritual, Filial Piety and Prosperity for All!
Core values: Revere virtue to protect the people; illuminate virtue and apply punishment cautiously.
Core values in Chinese: 敬德保民，明德慎罚 (Jìngdé bǎomín, míngdé shènfá).
Generation Z version: People Power, Citizens Come First and Last.
Level of optimism: the glass is almost full.
Laozi (老子 = Lǎozǐ, born 604BC). It means Old Child or Old Master.
Why he matters: He gave us Daoism, the Way of the Dao.
Motto: Constant Non-Being and Constant Being, Non-Action and Action, Retreat and Advance.
Core values: Humanity follows Earth, Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows the Dao, the Dao follows Nature.
The way of the Dao in Chinese: 老子的道经/道之道 (Lǎozǐ de Dàojīng/Dàozhīdào)
Core values in Chinese: 人法地，地法天，天法道，道法自然 (Rén fǎdì, dì fǎtiān, tiān fǎdào, dào fǎ zìrán).
Generation Z version: Zen, Baby, Zen, live and let live, que sera sera.
Level of optimism: it’s all good.
Confucius (孔子 = Kǒngzǐ, born 551BC). It means Kong Family Scion or Master Kong.
Why he matters: He gave us Confucism.
Motto: Cultivate humanity, Uphold Fairness, Practice Etiquette, Be Resourceful, Keep the Faith!
Confucius’ Five Constants: Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, Trustworthiness.
Confucius’ Five Constants in Chinese: 仁义礼智信 (Rén Yì Lǐ Zhì Xìn).
Generation Z version: Family, Friends, Fraternity, Unity.
Level of optimism: the glass is overflowing.
Sunzi (孙子 = Sūnzǐ, born 544BC). It means Sun Family Scion or Master Sun.
Why he matters: Maybe history’s greatest strategist.
Motto: Victory without battle! Defeat the enemy without fighting, so that hot war is not even needed.
Core values: Know yourself, know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.
Core values in Chinese: 知己知彼，百战不殆 (Zhījǐ zhībǐ, bǎi zhàn bùdài).
Generation Z version: when in doubt, retreat.
Level of optimism: it all depends on you.
Note: 36 Stratagems of War were not written until 5th century AD.
Zigong, Yan Hui & Zilu (子贡 = Zǐgòng, 颜回 = Yán Huí & 子路 = Zǐlù, born 520, 521 & 542BC, respectively). Names mean, Zigong: Child/Master of Tribute, Yan Hui: Yan is a family name. Hui means Return/Answer. Zilu: Child/Master of Logic.
Why they matter: They were Confucius’ three favorite students, out of 3,500.
Motto: Ethics trump morals.
Core values: Gentleness, Kindness, Respect, Frugality, Humility.
Core values in Chinese: 温良恭俭让 (Wēn Liáng Gōng Jiǎn Ràng).
Generation Z version: Cool, Calm, Collected, Chillaxed.
Level of optimism: the glass is overflowing.
Buddha (佛陀 = Fótuó, born 480BC). It means The Awakened One.
Why he matters: He gave us Buddhism.
Motto: Practice the Ten Good Deeds and avoid the Ten Negative Actions, for Harmony, Balance & Peace.
Core values: Buddha’s Three Hinderances: Desire (Lust and Greed), Anger (Arrogance) and Ignorance (Denial of Reality).
Core values in Chinese: Buddha’s Three Hinderances: 佛陀的三盖: 贪欲、嗔恨、无明 (Fótuó de Sāngài: Tānyù, Chēnhèn, Wúmíng).
Generation Z version: Rest, Relaxation, Respite, Repose.
Level of optimism: life is full of suffering and it’s all up to you how you cope with it.
Mozi (墨子 = Mòzǐ, born 470BC). Mo is a family name. It means Mo Family Scion or Master Mo.
Why he matters: A “competitor” to Confucism, expounding on ethics, logic, rational thought and scientific technology.
Motto: Universal Love, Condemn Aggression, Frugality, Heaven’s Will!
Core Values: Impartially care for all; mutually benefit one another.
Core values in Chinese: 兼相爱，交相利 (Jiānxiāng ài, jiāoxiāng lì).
Generation Z version: seek truth from facts. Holistic knowledge trumps superstition.
Level of optimism: the glass is almost full.
Shang Yang (商鞅 = Shāng Yāng, born 390BC). Shang is a family name. Yang means Leather Horsecollar.
Why he matters: Great statesman, chancellor and administrator whose vision and organizational skills were instrumental in eventually unifying China for the first time into the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC).
Motto: Law, Power, Merit—No Privilege!
Core values: Punishment recognizes no rank—from ministers to commoners, all who disobey the king’s orders, violate state laws, or overthrow social order shall be executed without pardon.
Core values in Chinese: 刑无等级，自卿相将军以至大夫庶人，有不从王令、犯国禁、乱上制者，罪死不赦。 (Xíngwú děngjí, zìqīngxiàng jiāngjūn yǐzhì dàfū shùrén, yǒu bùcóng wánglìng, fànguó jìn, luàn shàngzhìzhě, zuìsǐ bùshè).
Generation Z version: Mister Hardass. You do it, you own it, Bub. Law and order for public harmony, safety and prosperity.
Level of optimism: the glass is almost empty.
Mencius (孟子= Mèngzǐ, born 371BC). It means Meng Family Scion or Master Meng.
Why he matters: He expounded on Confucism.
Motto: Accountability, Meritocracy, Mutual Honor and Respect.
Core values: Loyalty, Filial Piety, Integrity, Shame, Courage.
Core values in Chinese: 忠孝廉耻勇 (Zhōng Xiào Lián Chǐ Yǒng).
Generation Z version: it takes work and sacrifice to be a noble person. Where one’s reputational rubber meets the road.
Level of optimism: the glass is half full.
Zhuangzi (庄子 = Zhuāngzǐ, born 369BC). It means Zhuang Family Scion or Master Zhuang.
Why he matters: He expounded on Daoism.
Motto: Embrace Spontaneity, Transcend Distinctions, Wander Freely, Merge with the Infinite!
Core values: Infinite Essence, Empty Existence, Silent Stillness, Sharing Minds.
无限的本质，空无的存在，寂静的静止，心灵的交流 (Wúxiàn de Běnzhí, Kōngwú dì Cúnzài, Jìjìng de Jìngzhǐ, Xīnlíng de Jiāoliú).
Generation Z version: to coin Ian Dury’s 80s hit, “Sex & Dao & Fine Cuisine”. Free love, epicurean and Zap Comic Book’s Mr. Natural.
Level of optimism: off the charts.
Xunzi (荀子 = Xúnzǐ, born 313BC). It means Xun Family Scion or Master Xun.
Why he matters: The Thomas Hobbes of Confucism.
Motto: Daily citizen-driven rule (Heavenly Mandate), not divine rule.
Core values: Human nature is evil and the good ones are fake.
人之性恶，其善者伪也 (Rénzhī xìng è, qíshànzhě wěiyě).
Generation Z version: Mr. Gloom and Doom. Trust but verify. When in doubt, assume the worst.
Level of optimism: the glass is bone dry and smashed into a thousand shards.
Han Feizi (韩非子 Hán Fēizǐ, born 280BC). Han is a family name. Feizi means Run Counter to the Master.
Motto: Authority, Law, Tactics—Rule by System, Not Virtue!
Core values: The law does not favor the noble; the plumb line does not bend for the crooked.
Core values in Chinese: 法不阿贵，绳不挠曲 (Fǎ bù ēguì, shéng bù náoqū).
Generation Z version: supreme organization and visionary management mean societal harmony and prosperity for all.
Level of optimism: the glass is half empty.
Huang Feihong (黄飞鸿 = Huǎng Fēihóng, born 1847). Huang is a common family name. Feihong means Flying Swan Goose. Also known as Dàyùn (大云 = Big Cloud).
Why he matters: Cited as one of the greatest Kungfu martial artists ever and even more so, a renowned Traditional Kungfu doctor. Revered by Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, etc. A real live Chinese Spiderman.
Motto: Righteous Fist, Healing Hand—Defend the Weak, Uplift All!
Core values: Energy in Body, Power of Persistence, Internal Qi, Positive Attitude.
Core values in Chinese: 身体能量，坚韧之力，内气，积极心态 (Shēntǐ néngliàng, Jiānrèn zhī lì, Nèiqì, Jījí xīntài).
Generation Z version: a real live Chinese Spiderman x Superman. Possible, doable – I can, I will; possible, doable – I should, I must.
Level of optimism: the glass is full and I’ll make sure it stays that way.
Mao Zedong (毛泽东 = Máo Zédōng, born 1893). Mao is a common family name. Zedong means Eastern Luster/Beneficence.
Why he matters: He expounded on Marxism-Leninism-Stalinism + the above Great Philosophies, giving us Chinese Communism-Socialism.
Motto: Women hold up half the sky, Mass Line (listen to the citizens) and
SERVE THE PEOPLE!
Core values: Cooperation, Collective, Collaboration, Cohesion.
Core values in Chinese: 合作、集体、协作、团结: 为人民服务! (hézuò, jítǐ, xiézuò, tuánjié).
Generation Z version: there is no “I” in “Team”. Communism-Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.
Level of optimism: the glass is full.
All these great philosopher-teachers espouse two fundamental concepts, The Golden Rule and Vital Precept/Jade Laws.
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The Golden Rule = 金科 (Jīnkē)
English: What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
Chinese: 己所不欲，勿施于人 (Jǐsuǒ bùyù, wùshī yúrén).
Very important observation: the Chinese version is in the negative, making it epistemologically very different than the Western Golden Rule. Not the same thing. The prior is passive, elliptical and uber-Daoist, the latter is active, linear and invasive.
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The Vital Precept/Jade Laws = 玉律 (Yùlǜ).
Entire books are written about the Vital Precept/Jade Laws, so I will go Gen Z on you, to sum it up in one sentence:
DO THE RIGHT THING!
In fact, these two concepts are almost always mentioned together:
金科玉律 (Jīnkē Yùlǜ).
Books by Mike Palecek
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Further reading about Chinese Civilization
Series by boots-on-the-ground China Writer travelers reporting on real China and real Chinese people!
Stay caught up with Amir&Jeff’s Amazing Adventure, journeying through the wilds of inner China, where foreigners don’t go! Short videos, captioned photos, articles, critical commentary.
State of the Chinese Union 2025: based on five months recently journeying across the country’s backwoods + 17 years living there. Speech given to Samui Real, Thailand, 13 August 2025
ADVENTURES IN ASIA WITH LADYB, FASHU, LAOLAO AND GONGGONG Series (focused on Taiwan Province and the rest of Asia)
Jeff’s many articles about Taiwan Province
Evelyne&Jeff’s Excellent China Adventure Series. Months spent traveling the back roads of China. Short videos with transcripts, captioned photos, articles and critical commentary. The REAL Chinese people you do not know!
Frans Vandenbosch: Final reflections on an extraordinary voyage
https://yellowlion.org/asia-trip-2025-part-11/
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A to Z support. Thank you in advance, Jeff
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Praise for The China Trilogy:
Jeff J. Brown’s libraries and catalogues A-Z: 1,000s of hours of research, writing, editing and podcasting.
Why and How China works: With a Mirror to Our Own History
JEFF J. BROWN, Editor, China Rising, and Senior Editor & China Correspondent, Dispatch from Beijing, The Greanville Post
Jeff J. Brown is a geopolitical analyst, journalist, lecturer and the author of The China Trilogy. It consists of 44 Days Backpacking in China – The Middle Kingdom in the 21st Century, with the United States, Europe and the Fate of the World in Its Looking Glass (2013); Punto Press released China Rising – Capitalist Roads, Socialist Destinations (2016); and BIG Red Book on China (2020). As well, he published a textbook, Doctor WriteRead’s Treasure Trove to Great English (2015). Jeff is a Senior Editor & China Correspondent for The Greanville Post, where he keeps a column, Dispatch from Beijing and is a Global Opinion Leader at 21st Century. He also writes a column for The Saker, called the Moscow-Beijing Express. Jeff writes, interviews and podcasts on his own program, China Rising Radio Sinoland, which is also available on YouTube, Stitcher Radio, iTunes, Ivoox and RUvid. Guests have included Ramsey Clark, James Bradley, Moti Nissani, Godfree Roberts, Hiroyuki Hamada, The Saker and many others. [/su_spoiler]
Jeff can be reached at China Rising, [email protected], Facebook, Twitter, Wechat (+86-19806711824/Mr_Professor_Brown, and Line/Telegram/Whatsapp: +33-612458821.
Read it in your language • Lealo en su idioma • Lisez-le dans votre langue • Lies es in deniner Sprache • Прочитайте это на вашем языке • 用你的语言阅读
[google-translator]
Wechat group: search the phone number +8619806711824 or my ID, Mr_Professor_Brown, friend request and ask Jeff to join the China Rising Radio Sinoland Wechat group. He will add you as a member, so you can join in the ongoing discussion.
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