The book Lv's Commentaries of History was compiled by Lv Buwei, the Prime Minister of the state of Qin, near the end of the Warring States Period(475-221 B.C.), a period of chaotic wars between rival states. As the state of Qin was growing increasingly more powerful and had won many victorious battles against other states, it became clear that the whole country was about to be unified under the Qin empire. The purpose of compiling the book was to provide a guide to goverment for the future Qin ruler. It was a period when the Confucian, Taoist, Moist and Legalist schools of thought prevailed. But instead of following any paticular school of thought, Lv adopted what was useful and rejected what was harmful from the various schools of thought.
Table of Contents
Introduction Part One Records I．Records of Early Spring Early Spring The Foundation of Life Attaching Importance to Self Attaching Importance to Impartiality Doing Away with Selfishness
II．Records of Mid-Sprig Mid-Spring Valuing Life Desires Dyeing Properly Fame
III．Records of Late spring Late Spring Completing the Natural Span of Life Beginning with Self Judging a Person The Circular Way
IV．Records of Early Summer Early Summer Encouraging Learning Respecting the Teacher Misleading Students Relying on the Multitude
V．Records of Mid．Summer Mid-Summer Great Music Extravagant Music Harmonious Music Ancient Music
VI．Records of Late Summer Late Summer Musical Pitches The Origin of Music Composing Music Knowing the Reason
VII．Records of Early Autumn Early Autumn Fighting Wars Clearing Away Confusion Preventing Blockage Possessing a Loving Heart
ⅥII．Records of Mid-Autumn Mid-Autumn On Power Choosing the Best Deciding Victory Loving the People
IX．Records of Late Autumn Late Autumn Complying with the Will of the People Knowing the Scholars Examining Oneself Communion of Vital Energy
X．Records of Early Winter Early Winter Preventing Funeral Excesses Giving Peace to the Dead Different Treasures Difference in the use of Things
XI．Records of Mid．Winter Mid-Winter The Utmost Loyalty Loyalty and Selflessness Conforming to the Actual Situation To Be Farsighted
XII．Records of Late Winter Late Winter The Integrity of Scholars A100fness The Deepest Sincerity Indomitability Postscript
Part Two View$ I．Views on the Beginning The Beginning Communion Between the Same Kind Freeing Oneself from Bias Listening to Opinions Listening Carefully Attending to the Basics Aiming High
II．Views on Filial Piety Filial Piety Original Flavors Biding One's Time Giving Fair Reward To Be Successful Importance of Human Factors Meeting the Right Person Relying on Oneself
III．Views on Caution Against Greatness Caution Against Greatness Weighing the Advantages Courtesy Toward Virtue and Learning Repayment Smooth Persuasion Never Relaxing One's Own Efforts The Importance of Objective Conditions Studying the Present
IV．Views on Foresight Foresight Surveying the World The Reach of Intelligence Repentance Enjoying Success Studying Detail Rooting Out Bias …… V．Views on Division of D VI．Views on Careful Response VII．Views on Rising Above the Worldly III．Views on Being a Ruler Part There Comments I．Comments on the Beginning Spring II．Comments on Cautious Conduct III．Comments on Valuing Forthright Words IV．Comments on Discretion V．Comments on Being Seemingly Right VI．Comments on a Scholar's Style
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Philistine rulers who did not control their sentiments appropriately perished in rapid succession．Because the desires of meir ears，eyes and mouth could not be satisfied，their bodies sweued，their muscles hardened．their blood circulat．ion was blocked and their nine openings”were depleted and could not function normally．Even if Peng Zu“were alive， he Would have been powerless to save them．With regard to material thines，the philistine rulers always sought after things that could not be obtained and nursed desires that could not be satisfied．In doing so，they totally destroyed the foundation of hfe．caused people to become dissatisfied and complain，and made formidable enemies．They were willful， changeable and constanty wavering；they flaunted their powers，played tricks and were crafty at heart；they were slow in practising virtue and rigteousness and quick in doing evil and seeking selfish gains．Even though they became remorseful when they found themselves in a woeful predicament，it was too late．They were close to the ctafty ones and alienated themselves from those who were upright，and thus brought their countries to a dangerous situation．When they became remorseful of t11eir past mistakes．there was already no way to save them．They became alarmed when they were told about she situation，but still did not know what had caused it．
