Day 71|Week 11-1

On August 27, the fifth year of Xianfeng’s reign, to Chengdi, Wendi, Yuandi, and Jidi

Comments:

He is in a high position, but he does not give his descendants good food, clothing, and comfort. What can be given is good family tradition and rigorous education.

Such a request is inevitably somewhat inappropriate now, but this idea is correct. How to equip children with the ability to be diligent and resourceful so that they can be independent in the future without the protection of adults. This is Zeng Guofan’s starting point for educating his children. Cultivating children from this starting point, enriching their spirits, strengthening their bodies, and allowing them to perfect themselves is a good family education.

Day 72|Week 11-2

On the first day of the twelfth lunar month in the fifth year of Xianfeng's reign, to Chengdi, Wendi, Yuandi, and Jidi

Comments:

Wumachong is a place name; Beizhen, pronounced bèi xǐ, is a Chinese word that means multiple times. From "Mencius Tengwengong 1".

Zeng Guofan was fighting outside, and his family purchased land in Wuma Chong. Zeng Guofan severely refuted it and asked Chengdi to sell off the land. In this letter to his family, Zeng Guofan explained why he wanted to do this.

As the old saying goes, children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. Although family members can help children with their future, the road is ultimately their own, and they still need to work hard on their own.

Zeng Guofan is familiar with history. Countless people from prosperous families eventually declined. If the descendants leave a substantial family property in vain without virtue and deeds, the family will eventually decline, sell off the land, and even have nothing to eat.

The inheritance of a good family tradition is the best wealth for children.

Day 73|Week 11-3

On the eighth day of February in the sixth year of Xianfeng's reign, to Chengdi, Wendi, Yuandi, and Jidi

Comments:

When Zeng Guofan's eldest son Jize was newly married, Zeng Guofan told him not to immerse himself in the gentle countryside and not to waste his time studying.

In addition, Jize also needs to pay more attention when going to Yue's house:

1. Be polite and don't talk nonsense; 2. Learn and ask in secret about the necessary local etiquette, and don't improvise and cause trouble. 3. Treat your wife’s brother as you would treat your own brother with courtesy; 4. If the elders of the Yue family want to meet, they need to respect their elders and show filial piety.

Almost everything that should be thought of has been thought of. One can imagine Zeng Guofan's requirement for his son to be knowledgeable and sensible. This kind of "etiquette" was a reflection of a person's self-cultivation in ancient times, and it is also a reflection of one's self-cultivation today.

Day 74|Week 11-4

On the eighth day of February in the sixth year of Xianfeng's reign, to Chengdi, Wendi, Yuandi, and Jidi

Comments:

Zeng Guofan's daughter-in-law was a child of a wealthy family, but when she married into the Zeng family, Zeng Guofan also taught her the rules of the Zeng family.

The first thing is to know etiquette. Being able to show filial piety to elders, sisters-in-law and brothers can treat each other gently.

Secondly, you need to learn to work hard. This is a family tradition of the Zeng family, and you need to be able to pickle pickles, make shoes, etc. Take your time at the beginning and learn little by little, and you will see big changes over time. And at the same time being able to persevere.

But if you have to change too much at once, it will be difficult to stick to it.

This is the same as the development of our good habits. Change little by little in a subtle way, and eventually it will develop naturally. This is what we often say, precious things last forever. If you persist in everything, if you persist for a long time, the results will come out.

Day 75|Week 11-5

Order to Ji Hong on September 29, the sixth year of Xianfeng

Comments:

" "You can live happily and make appointments" comes from "The Analects of Confucius: Li Ren": Confucius said: "Those who are not benevolent cannot live in peace and happiness for a long time."

Covenant here means poverty; joy means pleasure.

"Hoping for a son to become a dragon and a daughter to become a phoenix" is the kind expectation of parents for their children, and it is also human nature. But Zeng Guofan is not like this. As long as his descendants can study and understand reason and be a gentleman, it will be very good.

So what is the standard for becoming a gentleman? In Zeng Guofan's opinion, it is not very difficult.

Be able to be diligent, simple and self-disciplined, be able to endure hardship, and be able to work in the fields with your trouser legs rolled up. This is to get rid of the arrogance of the children and grandchildren and to be down-to-earth.

You can also face the environment of your life calmly. No matter whether the environment is full of happiness or poverty, you can "get along with it" and be calm in your heart without complaining or being lazy.

This is the cultivation of family tradition and the inheritance of family tradition.

Day 76|Week 11-6

Edict to Ji Hong on September 29, the sixth year of Xianfeng

Comments:

In In this letter to his youngest son, Zeng Guofan elaborated on the Zeng family tradition. There are two very prominent points in the family tradition:

One is "diligence", which means getting up early in the morning, working diligently, and not being tired and lazy;

The other is "thrift", not being greedy Luxurious, can endure hardships, can live a slightly rich life but not too rich.

A good family tradition must be like this, because this is the quality that can be passed down. With these qualities, future generations will be able to survive no matter what.

The inheritance of family tradition actually comes from imitation. Preaching will definitely not work. Teach by words and deeds, even without words but by example, to set a good example for the younger generation.

Day 77|Week 11-7

Order to Ji Hong on September 29, the sixth year of Xianfeng

Comments:

Zeng Guofan Here I express my philosophical views on life. This concept has always deeply affected him.

Human power and destiny determine the level of success you can achieve, so you must have a clear understanding. Manpower is internal, destiny is external. What I can control is the human power. God has his own destiny and cannot dare to interfere.

It is our own decision to follow the path of saints, improve our own cultivation, and improve our abilities.

Grasp what you can grasp and change what you can change. Leave the rest to God.

The specific operation for a person to improve his cultivation is to behave dignifiedly and not speak lies.

Speaking without hesitation is especially valuable in this era of convenient information. Everyone is a self-media, and everyone has a microphone in their hands. So when you speak, you must be careful. This is especially true when your words and deeds are in front of the public. It is very likely that your unintentional inappropriate words and deeds will cause great harm to others.