Yi Hwang (Toegye) Quotes
Yi Hwang, known by his pen name Toegye, was a Korean Joseon dynasty Confucian scholar and the most influential Korean philosopher in the Neo-Confucian tradition of Zhu Xi. He served briefly in court office and devoted most of his life to teaching and writing at the Dosan Seowon, the Confucian academy he founded. The quotes below are attributed to Yi Hwang (Toegye), organized by topic.
Yi Hwang (Toegye) on Mind
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Attributed to Yi Hwang (Toegye):
“The student must hold his mind together with reverence and let it expand with study.”
Yi Hwang (Toegye) on Nature
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Attributed to Yi Hwang (Toegye):
“Principle and material force are not two, yet not one.”
Yi Hwang (Toegye) on Politics
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Attributed to Yi Hwang (Toegye):
“Self-cultivation is the foundation of governance.”
Yi Hwang (Toegye) on Virtue
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Attributed to Yi Hwang (Toegye):
“Without sincerity there is no transformation of the self.”
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Attributed to Yi Hwang (Toegye):
“Reverence is the gate of all virtue.”