ABSTRACT
The Chinese have a favourite proverb that “of the hundred virtues, filial duty is the chief.” The anecdotes are perhaps as fair specimens as any which can be selected from the history of the people, to show what examples are held up for the imitation and encouragement of the student in his endeavours to pursue study under unpropitious circumstances. Different editions, while agreeing in the main, have various discrepancies in the narration of particulars about the ancient worthies. During the southern Sung dynasty, the famous commentator on the Chinese Classics, Chufutze, when only eight years old, was master of the doctrines of the treatise on Filial Piety. Filial piety among the Chinese requires compliance, without displeasure or the exhibition of reluctance, with the wishes or commands of the parents. The example of Shun in obeying his parents is declared “worthy of being handed down to posterity through myriads of ages.”
