1001Philosophers

Zhu Xi 1130 – 1200

Zhu Xi (1130 – 1200) was a Chinese philosopher of the Medieval era, associated with Confucianism.

Zhu Xi was a Chinese philosopher and the most influential exponent of Neo-Confucianism. Drawing on the work of the eleventh-century masters, he synthesized a comprehensive metaphysical and ethical system in which all things consist of principle (li) and material force (qi). He selected and annotated the Four Books, which became the basis of Chinese civil-service examinations until the early twentieth century. Zhu Xi's school dominated East Asian intellectual life for centuries and shaped Korean and Japanese Confucian thought.

Key facts

Nationality
Chinese
Era
Medieval
Movements
Confucianism

Selected quotes

  • Attributed to Zhu Xi:

    “When you read, do not seek to discover anything in the books beyond what is in the books.”

  • Attributed to Zhu Xi:

    “The investigation of things is the foundation of learning.”

  • Attributed to Zhu Xi:

    “All things in the world have principle, and the investigation of principle must extend to every individual thing.”

  • Attributed to Zhu Xi:

    “If one is not sincere, one cannot move others.”

  • Attributed to Zhu Xi:

    “Hold fast to reverence; this is the foundation of self-cultivation.”

Read all Zhu Xi quotes

Zhu Xi by topic

Zhu Xi vs other philosophers

Frequently asked about Zhu Xi

When did Zhu Xi live?
Zhu Xi was born in 1130 and died in 1200.
Where was Zhu Xi from?
Zhu Xi was a Chinese philosopher of the Medieval era.
What philosophical movements is Zhu Xi associated with?
Zhu Xi was associated with Confucianism.
What was Zhu Xi known for?
Zhu Xi was a Chinese philosopher and the most influential exponent of Neo-Confucianism.
How many quotes are attributed to Zhu Xi?
There are 8 attributed quotations from Zhu Xi in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.