“Maintain a sense of shame in conduct and extensively study all learning” couplet

“Maintain a sense of shame in conduct and extensively study all learning” couplet

The couplet is hung on the hypostyle columns of the hall of Luokeng Abode, with the inscription “Write the two phrases as examples of Master Gu Yanwu’s theory” on the top and another “Written by Chen Li in seal script in the 1st lunar month of Ren-Chen Year” on the bottom, together with a seal. The main body of the couplet is in small seal script and the inscriptions are in cursive script, both are white in a blue background. Thanks to the popularity of epigraphy, the Qing Dynasty has seen quite profound artistic accomplishment in small seal script. Chen Li followed Deng Shiru’s style of iron-wire seal script, and the handwriting features balanced structure, smooth stroke, elegance and ancient charm, making it a top-class calligraphic work of the Qing. “Extensively study all learning” and “Maintain a sense of shame in conduct” are quoted from chapters of Yan Yuan and Zi Lu of The Analects of Confucius, which are answers of Confucius to his disciples’ questions on different occasions. “Extensively study all learning” is about extensive study of knowledge, while “Maintain a sense of shame in conduct” is more about establishing one’s conduct based on a good understanding of shame. The couplet has become the motto of Guangzhou Yuyan Secondary School.