Three Character Classic
The Three Character Classic (三字經) is one of the Chinese classic texts, and was the first such text studied by school-children until it fell into disuse during the Cultural Revolution. With this short and simple text arranged in three-character verses, Chinese children learned many common characters, grammar structures, elements of Chinese history and the basis of Confucian morality. The first four verses are stating the core credo of Confucianism as developed by his follower Mencius and used as a state religion for the most part of Chinese imperial period : Human nature is good and unique. 人之初 People at birth,
性本善 Are naturally good.
性相近 Their natures are similar,
習相遠 Their habits become different.
Even nowadays, most youths in Taiwan are very familiar with the above two introductory quotes, if not known by the heart. Though they are no longer taught at public schools, some Taiwanese parents still use this classic to teach their infants to pronounce words. It is an occasional Taiwanese elementary school game for children to compete (and show off) who can recite the most amount of sentences from this classic.
External links
The Three Character Classic in Chinese with translation of Herbert Giles, another English translation, yet another English translation, its debated revival in mainland China.
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