In the Classical Chinese text The Three Character Classic (三字經), the basic structure of all aspects of Confucian life is put down in poetic style. In a series of pithy four line poems with stanzas three characters long, the Classic teaches the rudiments of early Chinese philosophy and knowledge, from the the teachings of Mengzi on the importance of education to basic geography, math, agriculture and social studies. The original purpose of this text was probably to serve as a memory aid for children as well as a set of guidelines with which to become a 'useful person'.
Here's the section I'm studying at the moment:
曰士農 (As to scholars, farmers,)
曰工商 (artisans and merchants,)
此四民 (These four occupations)
國之良 (are what makes a country outstanding)
The social structure of ancient Chinese life was complicated, but class structure was fairly simple. At the top you have scholars, who are in charge of maintaining the bureaucratic system, collecting taxes, and maintaining law and order. Then come farmers, who till the land and grow food for everyone. Next come artisans, the myriad craftspeople and toolmakers. Last were the merchants, those who make their living selling what the farmers and artisans produce.
The editor of the edition I'm reading included some great footnotes, along with some commentary in contemporary Chinese. She states that these four basic social identities, "strive and give their heart to improve the nation. Should they be remiss," she continues, "the nation's production power will inevitably decline, inviting insult from abroad, homelessness and strife."
These days, when I read about how China is worried about the US Treasury's holdings, or how in February there were near three-quarters of a million more unemployed people in the United States, I remember that there used to be a time when the merchants were at the bottom of the heap, and if they did wrong, they might have been punished severely.
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