The Six Scripts

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 edition. Excerpt: ... "Terms are the great condition of human order," and in the employment of terms writing is the principal instrument. If writing is erroneous, confusion ensues in the application of terms: by confusion in the application of terms comes loss of their significance; and from such misapplication and loss of significance together, spring general uncertainties, misunderstanding of commands, faulty laws, degeneracy of social life, and the frequent appearance of intestine commotion. So that if the Rulers desire to rule well, they must needs begin by rightly ordering the use of terms. They who instructed the people in ancient times looked upon the Forms of Heaven and studied the Structure of Earth: they classified the works of nature after their kinds, and wrought the fabric of social order; and thus they established the names of all things, and fixed the shapes by which they should be written. At once brief and exact, concise but complete, their pro LiKi: Book XVI, Sec. 9. found and unerring system expressed with simplicity and truth all states, relations, objects, forces, and forms. History records that Huang Ti appointed names to all things, so that they might be clearly known of the people and commodities could be exchanged. From the time of Huang Ti to that of the House of Chou, they that ruled, by seeking the guidance of wisdom, and they that were subordinate, by guarding the laws, f kept all things unaltered from generation to generation, no man venturing to introduce changes and perversions. According to the "Officers of Chou," J the Minister of Instruction controlled the education of the people; the Protector controlled the studies of the Heir to the Throne; and the Secretaries Abroad were charged with the. enlightenment of all regions....