Preface to "Characters"

Introduction to "Characters"

(Wei) Liu Shao

"Characters" is a masterpiece to systematically appreciate the talents of characters, and it is also an important reference book for studying the academic thoughts, psychology, and talent studies of the Wei and Jin Dynasties. The book consists of three volumes and eighteen chapters. It was written by Liu Shao in the Wei Dynasty of the Three Kingdoms, and Liu Bing in Xiliang in the Southern and Northern Dynasties once wrote it.

The main content of "Character" includes: the basic principles and methods of identifying talents, the classification of talent types, the pros and cons of different types of talents and suitable occupations, the gains and losses of eight kinds of partial talents, analysis of competition and moderation, etc. The knowledge and appraisal of talents, the methods of quantifying and employing people, and the analysis of human nature described in the book are still worthy of reference for today's people. Zeng Guofan did not hesitate to set the desk and polish it day and night.

If "The Analects" is a book of life, "The Art of War by Sun Tzu" is a book of warfare, and "Han Feizi" is a book of rule, then "Characters" can be well-deserved as a book of knowledge.

<preface>

The beauty of a husband and a sage is more than smart; what is smart is more expensive than knowing people. Knowing people's sincerity and wisdom will lead to the success of all talents, and the success of the industry will flourish.

Therefore, when the saint writes the image, he makes the words of the gentleman and the villain, narrates the "Poetry" and the aspirations of different customs and elegance, and makes the "ritual" and "music" to test the virtues of six arts and only mediocrity. All the materials, so that they can achieve all goodness and become heavenly meritorious.

If the work of heaven is accomplished, it will not be honored. Therefore, Yao is known as Keming Junde, Shun is known for Deng Yong 28, Tang is known for pulling out the wise men, and the King of Wen is valuing the old men of Weibin. From this point of view, the saint is prosperous, who is not labor smart and asks for help, and finds ease in the messenger!

Therefore, Zhongni didn't try to promote without help. The people of Juxumen thought that they had four subjects, and they discussed all talents in order to distinguish the third class. I also lamented the theory that the doctrine is based on the virtue of a special saint, and Shangde is to persuade the common people. Xun Liuzhe avoids partial material loss, thinks madly and arrogantly uses tactics to restrain and resists material; He also said: Observe where he is safe, observe where he is, and know what to do when he lives and stops. The character's observation is also so detailed. Therefore, dare to follow the hadith, the preface to the characters, and the general to patch up the forgotten; but to know the gentleman and judge his righteousness.