The Classical Period, c. 600 BCE to c. 600 CE: 2.1: Classical Empires in East Asia (Sources 1–8)

He ordered this inscription on a stone tower that was built on Mount Langya (east of Linzi on the coast of China). (Source 2)

A new age is inaugurated by the Emperor;
Rules and measures are rectified,
Many things set in order,
Human affairs are made clear
And there is harmony between fathers and sons. (Source 2)

A new age is inaugurated by the Emperor;
Rules and measures are rectified,
Many things set in order,
Human affairs are made clear
And there is harmony between fathers and sons. (Source 2)

The emperor set forth to pacify the east,
To inspect officers and men;
This great task accomplished
He visited the coast. (Source 2)

When a man of true worth becomes a minister, he faces north before the sovereign, presents tokens of his allegiance, and banishes from his mind the thought of all other loyalties. (Source 3)

If he serves at court, he does not venture to excuse himself because of the lowliness of the post assigned him; if he serves in the army, he does not dare to shirk danger. (Source 3)

Honorable and humble do not get in each other’s way, and stupid and wise find their proper place. (Source 3)

The bureaucratization of the military was due not just to the shift from cavalry to infantry—it also had had a philosophical foundation with the development of “legalism.” (Source 4)

The bureaucratization of the military was due not just to the shift from cavalry to infantry—it also had had a philosophical foundation with the development of “legalism.” (Source 4)

Legalists developed a philosophy of power stressing the role of absolute monarchy and arguing that rule should be based on clear laws and on strong, nondiscriminatory incentives and punishments. (Source 4)

[Many in the Han Dynasty] believed that individual interests should be sacrificed to bolster the strength of the kin group. (Source 5)

Grandparents, parents, sons, and daughters-in-law should all live and work together. The young should obey the old. And the property of kinfolk should be held in common and managed by family elders. (Source 5)

Although these values did indeed gain most prominence through [the religion of] Confucianism, they long predate Confucius. (Source 5)

[The bureaucracy of the Qin and Han dynasties] coupled with [political] unity allowed China’s resources to be marshaled on an unprecedented scale. (Source 5)

[The bureaucracy of the Qin and Han dynasties] coupled with [political] unity allowed China’s resources to be marshaled on an unprecedented scale. (Source 5)

However, the price for such efficiency was the alienation of most people from the workings of the government. (Source 5)

Some merchants gained enormous wealth and invested it in land, decreasing the number of fields available to free peasants. In this way, the thriving commercial economy brought inequality and poverty to the countryside. (Source 5)

Master Confucius said, “to rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business and sincerity, caution in spending money, love for men, and the wisdom to employ people at the proper seasons.” (Source 7)

“A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all, and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies.” (Source 7)

“A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all, and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies.” (Source 7)

The Master said, “The requirements of government are that there be sufficiency of food, sufficiency of military equipment, and the confidence of people in their ruler.” (Source 7)

He seeks to ease appetites but strengthen bones. If he, himself, practices restraint, then everything is in quietness. (Source 8)

By purifying the subconscious desires one may be without fault. (Source 8)

In ruling his country, if the wise magistrate loves his people, he can avoid compulsion. (Source 8)

In ruling his country, if the wise magistrate loves his people, he can avoid compulsion. (Source 8)