Zhang Zai (1020-December 6, 1077), courtesy name Hou, was a native of Hengqu Town, Fengxiang County (now Meixian County, Shaanxi Province). He was a thinker, educator and one of the founders of Neo-Confucianism in the Northern Song Dynasty.
He is known as Mr. Henghe, Zhangzi, Sage, and the 38th Confucius Temple in the West. His famous saying of "establish a heart for the world and the people, establish a destiny for the people, never forget the past, and work for peace in the world" was called "Four Hengqu Sentences" by contemporary philosopher Feng Youlan.
Zhang Jin was an official, and he was a national sage when he retired. He used practical actions to open up a new situation for Confucian scholars under the historical conditions at that time. Zeng Guofan, the "No. 1 official of Zhongxing" in the late Qing Dynasty, once wrote "Portraits of Sages and Philosophers", which selected 32 great figures in Chinese history from thousands of years as a portal for future generations to study:
Zhou Confucius, Mencius, Ban Ma Zuozhuang, Gelu Fanma, Zhou Zhang.
Han Zeng, Du Ma, and King Gu.
Extended information:
"Establish a heart for the world and a destiny for the people, never forget the past, be a guide for the future, and create peace for the world" is a famous saying by Zhang Zai, a Confucian scholar in the Northern Song Dynasty. Contemporary philosopher Feng Youlan calls it the "Four Sentences of Hengqu".
The first sentence: Man’s understanding of heaven and earth is the culture created by himself. It can also be said that it is his own self-knowledge, which is to “set up the heart” for heaven and earth.
Second sentence: Confucianism is about the unity of inside and outside, the unity of nature and man, compliance with nature, and continuous self-improvement.
The third sentence: "Never forget the past" is not a continuation of the general Chinese academic system, but a continuation of the Confucian academic system.
The fourth sentence: "Peace for eternity", the supreme ruler must have the virtue of a saint to realize the king's power.