Research On Female Morality In "Four Books Of Women"

Four Books for Women is an important book of women virtues in ancient China.It includes Lessons for Women,The Analects on Women,Internal Training,and Female Model Record.Most scholars just research one of the four books.The results of thought of women virtues present the general momentum which from the negative to critical inheritance to positive affirmation.So that they are short of the study of thought of women virtues of the whole book.This paper tries to research the whole book,finds out the thought of women virtues which has included in the book.The paper explains the thought of women virtues of the book by The Book of Changes,Shuo Wen Jie Zi,and The Galaxy of Traditional Semantic Annotations.Then giving examples to explain its forms.The Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty,with the official support,the whole society emphasizes on female education and virtue,and the great development of the printing press,Wangxiang compiled Four Books for Women of the feminine education works since the Han Dynasty.He made unified system and from mouth to mouth,became important feminine education works to cultivate one's mind.It mainly talks about women virtues,includes cultivate one's moral character,regulate a family,and conduct oneself in society.Cultivating one's moral character includes the virtue that women should have,such as humility,respect,chastity,kindness and thrift.Regulating a family includes relationship between woman and husband,parents-in-law,parents,children,relatives and guests.Conducting oneself in society means women should have the virtue of speak and act cautiously,chastity and wisdom.The paper analyzes the influence and value of women virtues based on its meaning and practice.It has important historical function and influence of the country's political stability,the families' unity,the society's harmonious development and the formation of good atmosphere,and the development of female education.It also has important realistic value,reasonable core beyond the time,and referential significance of solving society and families' problems.So we should accurately perceive its status.Firstly,the women virtues of Four Books for Women correctly orientation of female role and responsibility,stipulate female virtue.Secondly,it is common rule of virtue and behavior of all women.It reacts mainly social values,and gets social identity.Thirdly,it is women affirm and pursue of the Confucian tradition ethics,it reflects them aren't really "the silence of the community"in the traditional society,but have their life management and independence awareness.Lastly,it breaks special living space for traditional women.They find their significance,value and dignity.In a word,we always misunderstand women and women virtues.Reviewing Four Books for Women gives us different acknowledgement.Firstly,female status is not under male,such as teaching children and regulating families,they even exceed male.Secondly,a woman preserve chastity after the death of her husband,it will improve her own virtue,and mainly to undertake taking care of the old men and the children.Thirdly,women are not proud and insolent because of their talents,it's the correct talent and morality viewpoint.Fourthly,women deal with interpersonal relationship by humility and with great respect,it contributes to resolve contradictions and promotes social harmony.