The “Thousand Character Classic” is one of the most widely circulated and most influential early educational texts in pre-modern era China. Together with the “Three Character Classic,” the “Hundred Family Surnames,” and the “Poems of a Thousand Masters” it is collectively known as the “Three, Hundred, Thousand, Thousand” (三百千千).
Using one thousand different, non-repeating Chinese characters, the “Thousand Character Classic” covers topics such as the cosmos, physics, history, society, human relations, and the ways of the world, etc. —essentially serving as a highly concise “outline of the essentials of Chinese culture.”
Unofficial historical records tells a very interesting story behind this text.
The author, Zhou Xingsi (469–537AD), was a minister to Emperor Wu of the Liang dynasty during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period. Zhou Xingsi once inadvertently offended Emperor Wu. In a fit of rage, the emperor wanted to execute him or punish him severely, but in the end, he could not bring himself to do so. Instead, Emperor Wu said, “Are you not renowned for your literary talent? If you can, in a single night, write a fine essay using one thousand different , non-repeating characters, I will pardon your.” Zhou Xingsi racked his brains through the night and composed the “Thousand Character Classic.” The essay was completed, but by morning, Zhou Xingsi’s hair and beard had turned completely white!
Excerpts from the “Thousand Character Classic”:
天地玄黃，宇宙洪荒。
The sky was black and the earth was yellow, the universe was vast and in a chaotic, primordial state.
日月盈昃，辰宿列张。
The sun rises and sets, the moon waxes and wanes; stars fill the vast expanse of space.
推位让国，有虞陶唐。
Tang Yao and Yu Shun were wise and selfless, and voluntarily ceded the throne to meritorious ministers and virtuous men.
罔谈彼短，靡恃己长。
Refrain from talk of others’ faults; don’t rest upon your strengths and become complacent.
景行维贤，克念作圣。
Admire the conducts of the virtuous, restrain one’s desires to attain the realm of sagehood.
祸因恶积，福缘善庆。
Disasters are the result of many evil deeds, whilst good fortune and prosperity are the reward for kindness and generosity.
#39 千字文
《千字文》是中国古代至近代流传最广、影响最大的启蒙读物之一，与《三字经》、《百家姓》、《千家诗》合称“三百千千”。
《千字文》用一千个不同的、不重复的中文字，写出了有关宇宙、物理、历史、社会、人情、世故等等，等于一篇非常精简的“中国文化纲领要点”。
据野史记载，这篇文章背后还有一个非常有意思的故事。
作者周兴嗣（469年 – 537年）是南北朝时期梁代梁武帝的大臣。周兴嗣有一次不小心得罪了梁武帝，梁武帝一怒之下，想杀他或很严厉地处分他，到底还是于心不忍。于是梁武帝说，你不是文才很好吗？你能在一夜之间，用一千个不同的字，写一篇好文章，就赦你无罪。因此，周兴嗣就在一夜之间，挖空心思，写了这篇《千字文》。文章写好了，可是周兴嗣在一夜之间，须发皆白！
《千字文》节选及翻译：
天地玄黃，宇宙洪荒。
(天是青黑色的，大地是黄色的，宇宙形成于混沌蒙昧的状态中。)
日月盈昃，辰宿列张。
(太阳东升西落，月亮圆了又缺，星辰布满在无边的太空中。)
推位让国，有虞陶唐。
(唐尧、虞舜英明无私，主动把君位禅让给功臣贤人。)
罔谈彼短，靡恃己长
(不要谈论别人的短处，也不要依仗自己有长处就不思进取。)
景行维贤，克念作圣。
(要仰慕圣贤的德行，要克制私欲，努力仿效圣人。)
祸因恶积，福缘善庆。
(灾祸是作恶多端的结果，福禄是乐善好施的回报。)