Confucianism

The Origins of ‘Seven Emotions and Six Desires’

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The Origins of 'Seven Emotions and Six Desires'

There is an idiom called “Seven Emotions and Six Desires,” which refers to the various emotions and desires of humans. Many people can say this idiom, but if asked to specify what “Seven Emotions” and “Six Desires” refer to, they might not be able to explain clearly. “Seven Emotions and Six Desires” is a phrase … Read more

The Origin of ‘Consistency Between Inner and Outer’

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The Origin of 'Consistency Between Inner and Outer'

There is an idiom called “表里如一” (biǎo lǐ rú yī), which literally means that the surface and the inner self are one and the same, describing a complete consistency between words and actions. “表” (biǎo) refers to the external appearance; “里” (lǐ) refers to the inner self. According to some sources, “表里如一” originates from the … Read more