Wu Chengen’s famous sayings are as follows:
1. If you know one thing, you can know everything. Avoiding color is like avoiding hatred, and protecting yourself from wind and rain is like avoiding arrows. There is a special red branch, which blooms only in late autumn. Saving one life is better than building a seven-level pagoda. The emperor takes his turn and will come to our house in 2022. You must be careful when dealing with others, and cultivate your character and mind with every detail in mind. People have misfortunes and blessings every day. Kill ten thousand people and injure yourself three thousand people.
2. Among the strong, there are even stronger ones. The sea is wide enough for fish to leap, and the sky is high enough for birds to fly. Time flies, the sun, the moon and the years flow like a stream. People feel refreshed when happy events happen, and often feel sleepy when they feel bored. If you are dedicated to charity, why do you need to read the scriptures diligently? A leaf of turnip leaves returns to the ocean, and life has meaning.
3. Although the title of my novel is "Zhiguai", which does not cover ghosts, it actually records the genetic variation in the world and provides some warning. There is no way to heaven, and there is no fruit on earth. Birds have their own language, and animals have their own language. Strike first, strike later and cause disaster. Buddhist disciples should not talk at home. The master is defeated by his hands. It is convenient for others and convenient for oneself. A big tree attracts the wind and shakes the tree, but the height of man-made factors causes loss of people.
Extended information:
Wu Chengen was famous for his outstanding literary talent when he was more than ten years old; in the eighth year of Jiajing (1529), he studied at Longxi Academy and became a "fayan man" , although he has outstanding talents, he has failed many times.
Wu Chengen made an appointment to complete the first draft of the novel "Journey to the West" in the 21st year of Jiajing (1542). After that, he continued on the road of scientific research, but his official career was still bumpy until the 29th year of Jiajing (1550). After that, he was admitted as a tribute student, but he failed and studied in the Imperial College.
In the forty-fifth year of Jiajing (1566), Wu Chengen, who was over 60 years old, was finally promoted to Changxing County Magistrate with the qualification of Gongsheng. However, the good times did not last long. Wu Chengen was falsely accused of corruption after only two years in office. He was imprisoned and dismissed after being released. In the second year of Longqing (1568), he was rehabilitated and was called to Hubei to serve as Jishan in the Mansion of Zhu Yiju, King of Jing. In the fourth year of Longqing (1570), he resigned and returned to his hometown. He died in the tenth year of Wanli (1582) and had no descendants.
"Journey to the West" written by Wu Cheng'en is one of the four classic Chinese classics and is China's first full-length novel about gods and demons.