Zi Zhi Tong Jian is China's first chronological general history and occupies a very important position in Chinese official history books. Regarding its status, it can be summed up in a sentence by Wang Mingsheng of the Qing Dynasty: "This is an indispensable book in the world, and it is also a book that scholars must read." Let's appreciate 50 classic quotes from this work.

01 A person with talent is the asset of virtue; a person with virtue is the commander of talent. -- "Zizhi Tongjian·Zhou Ji"

The so-called talent and learning in the translation are moral capital. The so-called virtue is the coach of talent and learning. This actually means that an individual's moral quality is higher than his or her talents. This is because a person without talent but with virtue will be mediocre and unable to achieve great things. If a person has talent but without virtue, the danger to society will be great. Therefore, for the cultivation of talents, the first step is to cultivate their ideological quality and moral level, and then the knowledge and skills.

02 If you blame them for the difficulties, then the easy ones will succeed without any effort; if you make up for the shortcomings, the senior ones will succeed without any effort. -- "Zizhi Tongjian·Han Ji"

Translation: Put the focus and energy on the difficult points when doing things. As long as the difficulties are solved, the simple ones will naturally be solved; Once your shortcomings are resolved, your strengths will naturally be strengthened.

03 If you listen both, you will be enlightened; if you believe only, you will be dark. -- "Zizhi Tongjian·Tang Ji"

Only by listening to opinions from many sides can you distinguish right from wrong; if you only listen to one side's words, you will be ignorant.