People in the old books

An editorial reading order, chosen for clarity, depth and continuity. It is not a popularity or predictive-accuracy ranking.

1. 01
   From the classics

   Two Han officials visited a diviner—and found themselves questioned ↗

   The officials come seeking wisdom—and face questions themselves.

   They wanted to find an exceptional person outside the court, yet began by judging him through the size of his official position.

2. 02
   From the classics

   Confucius read the Changes until its bindings broke—and still wanted more time ↗

   Why did Confucius still want more time to study the Changes?

   The most interesting part is that a man later called a sage still felt he had not fully understood the book.

3. 03
   Famous lives

   Zeng Guofan’s chart: winter Bing Fire and the work of steady discipline ↗

   Look at daily discipline through a chronological biography.

   Zeng Guofan easily becomes a motivational symbol. Set the slogans aside and look at what the records and chart actually say.

4. 04
   Traditions

   Reading Takashima Ekidan: how a line text becomes a judgment about a situation ↗

   Take a famous divination case apart and follow its reasoning.

   Takashima Kaemon is famous. What is worth learning is how he connects classical wording, circumstances, and judgment.