1001Philosophers

Yi I (Yulgok) 1536 – 1584

Yi I (Yulgok) (1536 – 1584) was a Korean philosopher of the Modern era, associated with Confucianism.

Yi I, known by the pen name Yulgok, was a Korean Joseon-dynasty Confucian philosopher, statesman, and reformer, often counted with Yi Hwang as one of the two great Korean Neo-Confucian thinkers. Where Yi Hwang tended to emphasize principle, Yulgok placed greater weight on material force and on the practical task of applying Neo-Confucian thought to government and education. He passed every state examination he sat at the highest grade, served in many important offices, and produced influential proposals for tax, military, and educational reform. His portrait appears on the Korean five-thousand-won note.

Key facts

Nationality
Korean
Era
Modern
Movements
Confucianism

Selected quotes

  • Attributed to Yi I (Yulgok):

    “Sincerity is the way of heaven; to make oneself sincere is the way of man.”

  • Attributed to Yi I (Yulgok):

    “Reform begins with the cultivation of one's own mind.”

  • Attributed to Yi I (Yulgok):

    “Without learning, there is no virtue; without virtue, there is no good government.”

  • Attributed to Yi I (Yulgok):

    “Principle is universal, but material force is particular.”

  • Attributed to Yi I (Yulgok):

    “The duty of the scholar is to be of use to the world.”

Yi I (Yulgok) by topic

Frequently asked about Yi I (Yulgok)

When did Yi I (Yulgok) live?
Yi I (Yulgok) was born in 1536 and died in 1584.
Where was Yi I (Yulgok) from?
Yi I (Yulgok) was a Korean philosopher of the Modern era.
What philosophical movements is Yi I (Yulgok) associated with?
Yi I (Yulgok) was associated with Confucianism.
What was Yi I (Yulgok) known for?
Yi I, known by the pen name Yulgok, was a Korean Joseon-dynasty Confucian philosopher, statesman, and reformer, often counted with Yi Hwang as one of the two great Korean Neo-Confucian thinkers.
How many quotes are attributed to Yi I (Yulgok)?
There are 5 attributed quotations from Yi I (Yulgok) in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.