Four Admonishments by Cheng Yi
2005
A contemporary calligrapher, Son Man-jin transcribed the famous annotations to a Confucian proverb composed by Chinese philosopher Cheng Yi (1033-1107), a contributor to the establishment of Neo-Confucianism. Admonitions on looking, listening, speaking and movement (from left to right scroll) were the ethics and practices essential to perfect virtue, along with relevant visual arts, which induced the people to live a self-controlled and humble life.
A large ideogram expressing these four concepts is rendered in abstract splashes of ink, while Cheng Yi's interpretation appears in small characters. It vividly reinforces the Choson people's cultural identity, and may well serve as a contemporary reminder of restraint to the consumer society of today.
Master Cheng said, "I caution myself with these admonitions":
The admonition on looking says:
If a person's mind-and-heart is active, he will depend on speech to express himself. If what he utters avoids the impetuous, he will remain inwardly quiet and concentrated. It is this [i.e. speaking] that is the hinge and spring, giving rise to hostilities and to friendships. Good fortune and bad luck, glory and disgrace all are called forth by it. Too casual with it and one becomes boastful; too long-winded and one becomes incoherent. Unruly in speech oneself, others become unmannerly. Utter what violates right and the reply will be contrary. The improper is not to be spoken! Be prudent in instruction and speech!
The admonition on movement says:
The wise man knows the incipient and remains true to it in his deliberations. The resolute gentleman acts forcefully and takes firm hold in whatever he does. Accord with principle and enjoy abundance; accord with desire and become endangered. When hurried, be capable of reflection; when trembling in fear, keep firm hold of oneself. Whether in practice perfect or perfect by nature, the sage and the worthy reach the same end.
Ink on paper
Overall (mounting & endknobs & hanging cord): 111 × 36 5/8 in. (282 × 93 cm)
Image (caligraphy only): 84 3/16 × 30 3/8 in. (213.8 × 77.2 cm)
Gift of Frank S. Bayley III, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum
2007.93.3
Provenance: Donor purchased from the artist
Photo: Susan Cole
