Yan Zhitui and The Principles of Yan’s Family
 
Yan Zhitui (531 – 591 AD) was a scholar and educator in the Northern and Southern Dynasties. He was born into gentry and was influenced by the Confucian ethical code of etiquette. He believed in divine beings and in cause and effect. The Principles of the Yan Family is a summary of his life and scholarly pursuits and advice to his children. The book was later regarded as a standard guide for family education, and became very influential. There are twenty chapters in this work, each covering a wide range of content with an emphasis on cultivating moral character and virtue. It promotes traditional Confucian aspects of education, placing emphasis on sincerity, a righteous heart, self-cultivation, regulating the family, governing and ruling the country. This work is strongly influenced by Buddhist thinking around good and evil retribution and contains rich cultural connotations. Yan stated that when educating future generations, one needs to help them establish lofty aspirations and goals, follow the principles of morality and virtue just as Emperor Yao and Shun, learn to endure any hardships, and pay attention to cultivating integrity. Yan Zhitui said, “If one has goals, one will be able to endure and overcome challenges and eventually accomplish those goals.”
 
Yan Zhitui believed that the main purpose of education is to broaden one’s heart, cultivate virtue, and do good deeds to benefit society. First, he said, the motivation needs to be righteous. The education of an individual must include the study of noble and books by sages, and cultivation of moral character. The student must concentrate, work hard, and exchange experiences with others. Yan emphasized the importance of early education for children, the earlier the better. His own three children started reading and memorizing classical poetry and literature when they were three years old. When the children asked, “We know we should read, but why do we need to read so early?” Yan Zhitui told the children, “The earlier you read the classic books, the better. When you are young, you have a great memory. The books you memorize now will stay with you for your entire life.” Yan Zhitui also taught his children that they must keep studying and learning throughout their entire lifetimes, and to stay diligent regardless of war or other tribulations. He encouraged his children to study history. Yan Zhitui said, “Reading books and understanding principles is important. At any time, especially at critical moments, one will know what to do.” His children were all highly accomplished, with a strong sense of duty.




古人教子理念：重德修身（二）
 
颜之推与《颜氏家训》
 
颜之推是南北朝时的思想家、教育家，出身士族，深受儒家名教礼法影响，又敬信神佛，笃信因果。《颜氏家训》是他对自己一生有关立身、处世、为学经验的总结，被后人誉为家教规范，影响很大。全书二十篇，各篇内容涉及的范围相当广泛，主要强调道德修养，以“诚意、正心、修身、齐家、治国、平天下”的传统儒家思想教育子弟，并宣扬伦理纲常以及佛家因果报应思想等，是一部有著丰富文化内蕴的作品。认为教育后代要确立远大的志向、理想，像尧舜那样实践仁义道德的准则，经得起任何磨难，注重气节的培养。他说：“有志尚者，遂能磨砺，以就素业”。
 
颜之推认为学习目的主要是为了开启心扉、完善德行、行道利世，首先动机要端正，学习内容提倡读圣贤之书，实践道义。在学习方法方面，提出了专心、勤学、切磋、踏实的主张。他非常重视对子女进行早教，而且越早越好，不要失去机会。颜之推的几个孩子三岁开始读书，并背诵经典，当孩子们问道：“我们知道了要读书，但为什么要这样早呢？”颜之推告诉孩子：“接触圣贤之书越早越好啊，小时记忆力好，背会的书往往终生不忘。”颜之推还教育子女一生都要学习，勤勉惜时，无论时逢战乱或生活窘迫时，他都督促孩子们勤习经史，并说：“读书明理，在任何时候，尤其在紧要关头或每到有大事时就知道怎么去做。”他的几个孩子后来在经史方面都很有成就，都是重节操、做事有责任感的人。