Chinese Proverb Fable: Mengzi Divorces His Wife

Matichon•General•13m ago

Reader Briefing

The proverb Mengzi Xiu Qi teaches the importance of self-reflection before criticizing others through a story about Mengzi and his wife.

•Mengzi was an ancient philosopher of the Warring States period and a disciple of the Ru-jia school founded by Kongzi.
•Mengzi sought to divorce his wife after seeing her sitting with her legs stretched out in a room.
•The mother of Mengzi corrected Mengzi, stating his lack of etiquette for entering a room without notice caused the situation.
•The story emphasizes the Confucian philosophy of considering one's own actions before blaming others.

•Mengzi was an ancient philosopher from the Warring States period and a student of the Ru-jia school founded by Kongzi.
•Mengzi experienced hardship as a child and was raised and supported in his studies by the mother of Mengzi.
•Mengzi requested to divorce his wife because Mengzi saw the wife sitting with her legs stretched out, which Mengzi viewed as a lack of etiquette.
•The mother of Mengzi argued that Mengzi lacked etiquette for entering a room without announcing himself or lowering his gaze, as advised in the Li Ji.
•The mother of Mengzi explained that the wife was simply relaxing in private and was caught unprepared because Mengzi entered without warning.
•Mengzi realized the mistake and decided not to divorce the wife.
•The story reflects the Confucian philosophy that individuals should reflect on their own flaws before criticizing others.
•Professor Suoxing Methatharnkul of the Sirindhorn Chinese Language and Culture Center at Mae Fah Luang University provided the lesson.

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Mengzi

"My wife does not know etiquette. Mother, please allow me to divorce her."

ภรรยาของข้าช่างไม่รู้จักธรรมเนียมมารยาท ขอท่านแม่อนุญาตให้ข้าหย่าขาดจากนางด้วยเถิด

Mother of Mengzi

"That shows that you are the one who lacks etiquette, not your wife."

นั่นแสดงว่าเจ้าต่างหากที่ไม่มีมารยาท มิใช่ภรรยาของเจ้าที่ไร้มารยาท

Mengzi(เมิ่งจื่อ)

An ancient philosopher of the Warring States period and a disciple of the Ru-jia school.

Kongzi(ข่งจื่อ)ℹ️

The founder of the Ru-jia school.

Professor Suoxing Methatharnkul(อาจารย์ซ่อซิง เมธาธารณ์กุล)

A lecturer at the Sirindhorn Chinese Language and Culture Center, Mae Fah Luang University.

Li Ji(คัมภีร์หลี่จี้)

A scripture regarding ceremonies and customs.

Sirindhorn Chinese Language and Culture Center(ศูนย์ภาษาและวัฒนธรรมจีนสิรินธร)

A center located at Mae Fah Luang University.

Mae Fah Luang University(มหาวิทยาลัยแม่ฟ้าหลวง)ℹ️

The university housing the Sirindhorn Chinese Language and Culture Center.