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Abstract
Editor’s Abstract: This text is the partial translation of one of the nine chapters from the self-improvement book titled The Art of Being Muddled in Social Conduct and Handling Affairs (Zuoren zuoshi de hutu yishu). This chapter in particular discusses “being muddled” as an efficient, harmony-oriented philosophy of life for navigating more positively through life and for obtaining inner peace of mind. The domains of life covered range from family life to business negotiations, and almost en passant, life issues as serious as suicide. All statements and advice are illustrated with anecdotes, events, and quotes from mostly Chinese but also Japanese and Western philosophy, literature, and history. Sometimes comparisons with phenomena in the natural world are made. The author explains “the art of being/pretending to be muddled” as expressed in virtues such as forgiveness, moderation, deference, tolerance, inner (moral) firmness and external flexibility, and wisdom. Ultimately, feigned muddledness is presented as a modern guide for self-cultivation. Being popular reading, the text lacks scientific rigor: it is a perfect example of the popularization of Zheng Banqiao’s calligraphy “It’s difficult to be muddled” (Nande hutu) and how it is modeled to the reading pleasure of and usefulness for people from all walks of life.
Notes
This is not a quote from Zheng Banqiao, but rather a paraphrasing of recurring interpretations in the various discourses that explain Nande hutu.
Fang Xiaoru (1357–1402) was a scholar who had his waist cut off because he refused to write an inaugural address for the Yongle Emperor.
There is no common translation known for the Chinese compounds pi ya (皮亚) and han na (汉拿), nor does this story seem to refer to a well-known story or well-known people.
Chinese: Aomaha (奥马哈) (city in Nebraska).
Chinese: Hasidun (哈斯顿), probably Houston, although Houston is generally transliterated as Tisidun (休斯顿).
Arthur Smith, Chinese Characteristics (New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1894). Arthur Smith was a missionary who spent fifty-four years in China.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Yang Tao
Yang Tao is an author of popular books with Huayi Publishing House.