Introduction 5
Commentary 7
Note 43 for "Chaegeundam"

Complete works

1 Choose silence for a time, not despair for all eternity. 49
2 Be simple and honest 51
3 Let your heart be known brightly, but keep your talents hidden deep. 52
4 It is purer to be close to power and yet remain untainted. 54
5 Words that offend the ear and the heart 56
6 You must have a joyful heart every day 59
7 A perfect person is just ordinary 60
8 No matter how busy you are, take it easy 61
9 Sit alone and listen to your heart 63
10. If things don't go your way, try again. 65
11 Will comes from simplicity 67
12 Open your heart and give while you live 69
13 Stop and yield 70
14 Free Yourself from Worldly Thoughts and Material Desires 72
15 Have a spirit of chivalry and a pure heart 74
16 Share the good things and take the hard things first 75
17 Take a step back and benefit yourself. 76
18 If you are proud, you will fall, but if you turn back, you will live. 78
19 Share the credit and take responsibility for the losses. 80
20 The Heart That Leaves Behind 82
21 Share emotional bonds with your parents and siblings. 84
22 Enjoy the quiet, yet be energetic 86
23 Don't scold or force too much. 88
24 Cleanliness comes from impurity, and brightness comes from darkness. 89
25 Let go of your vain and delusional thoughts 92
26 Refrain from acting with regret 93
27 Keep in mind the path not taken 95
28 Success is achieved without any regrets or resentment. 96
29 Don't live an overly difficult and dry life. 97
30 Go back to the beginning and think about the end 98
31 Hide and conceal your talents 99
32 You must be in a low place to know the dangers of high places 101
33. Let go of wealth and fame, benevolence and morality. 103
34 Beware of Prejudice and Wisdom 104
35 Take a step back 105
36 Be polite and appropriate 107
37 Put aside your cleverness and enjoy simplicity 108
38 Control Your Mind First 109
39 It is difficult to obtain good fruit if you are close to bad people. 110
40 Do not enter the path of desire 112
41 Do not be overly extravagant or vulgar. 113
42 Don't Be Trapped in the Frame of Fate 115
43 Calm and Simple is the Realm of Life 117
44 When to Take a Step Forward and When to Take a Step Back 118
45 Focus and Concentrate 120
46 Everyone has compassion 122
47 Be as hard as wood or stone 124
48 Good and Evil People 126
49 Be careful in everything you do when you are alone 127
Reduce your workload by 50 days and reduce your worries by 129 days.
51 Change Your Attitude with the Times 131
52 Forget the kindness I have shown you, and engrave my mistakes on your heart. 133
53 Give purely and don't ask questions 134
54 Put Yourself in Another's shoes 135
55 Accumulate knowledge with a clear mind 137
56 Find comfort in your shortcomings and awkwardness 139
57 Practice learning according to the ultimate goal 140
58 Finding the Original Truth 142
59 Life's ups and downs are cyclical 144
60 The Path to Wealth and Honor 145
61 If you enjoy a life of luxury, create a beautiful culture. 146
62 Be cautious and fearful, but also enjoy the style 148
63 True skill does not use clever techniques. 150
64 Empty it so it doesn't overflow 151
65. Abandon worldly desires and useless skills. 154
66 Thoughts and actions change according to the mind 155
67 True Joy and Greater Worries 157
68 Signs of Good Deeds and Causes of Evil Deeds 159
69 The world's changes and secrets are unknown. 160
70 If you are impatient, dry, and stubborn, you will not be blessed. 162
71 How to Attract Good Fortune and Avoid Misfortune 164
72 Keep your mouth shut and don't show off your talents 165
73. A person must have a gentle spirit and a warm heart to be revived. 167
The road of a thousand miles is wide, but the road of humiliation is narrow. 169
75 True knowledge requires discipline and questioning. 170
76 The mind must be emptied to be filled 171
77 There are no fish in water that is too clear 172
78 If you don't bounce, you can't get ahead. 174
79 Not coveting is a treasure 176
80 Become the master of your own mind and stay awake 179
81 Do what you can do right now 181
82 Do not exceed the appropriate level 182
83 Let go of the past. 183
84 Honey-coated cookies are not sweet 185
85 Maintain your dignity even in poverty 186
86 Don't let your mind wander when you're free. 189
87 When you realize your mistake, turn back to the right path. 191
88 How to Examine Your Heart and Realize the Truth 193
89 True tranquility and joy 194
90 If you throw yourself, don't look back. 195
91 If I carve out my own destiny, heaven will help me. 197
92 Without greed, wisdom is filled. 199
93 Manage the Second Half of Your Life Well 201
94 A nobleman who only seeks power is no different from a beggar. 203
95 The Virtues of Our Ancestors and the Blessings We Will Pass on to Our Descendants 204
96 The hypocrisy and change of heart of a gentleman are worse than the wickedness of a petty man. 205
97 Rules for Governing the Household 206
98 If you are kind and generous, the world will be peaceful. 208
99 Keep your integrity, but don't show your resolve. 209
100 Train in times of trouble, be vigilant in times of ease. 211
101. Suppress greed with clear, cool energy. 212
102 A sincere heart can do anything 213
103 The ultimate realm lies in the ordinary. 216
104 The World of Illusion and Reality 217
If you keep it around 105, you won't regret it. 219
106. Not blaming others cultivates virtue and avoids harm. 220
107 Behave appropriately in your body and mind 221
108 Enjoy Life, But Don't Live It in Vain 222
109 Do not expect favors and graces; give and receive them. 223
110 Be careful what you do when things are going well. 224
111 Stay close to old friends and avoid ordinary behavior. 226
112 Don't tamper with fair evaluation and proper discussion 228
113 Don't bend your will and don't listen to unearned praise. 230
114 Remain calm in the face of family troubles and advise your friends on their mistakes. 231
115 A true hero is one who does not neglect even the smallest things. 232
116 You must understand the other person's feelings to win their favor. 233
117 Hide your skills and wisdom and navigate the world. 235
118 When faced with change, be patient and endure 237
119 Excessive restraint does not lead to freedom, and self-righteous behavior does not last long. 238
120 Do not commit a mistake even if you know it is wrong. 240
121 Don't Believe Blindly and Don't Be Overconfident 242
122 Don't Point Out Others' Flaws 243
123 Keep your mouth shut in front of someone who is quiet or shows off. 245
124 When you're distracted, clear your mind; when you're tense, relax. 246
125 Weather and Mind Always Change 247
126 Realize your selfish desires and control them with your will. 248
127 Don't show your emotions when you are deceived or insulted. 250
128 Adversity and hardship train the body and mind. 251
129 Let there be no resentment among people, and no disaster among all things. 252
130 Be wary of others' actions, but don't be overly cautious. 254
131 Don't vent your private feelings on public opinion. 256
132 Don't praise in advance, don't be the first to speak out. 257
133 Be careful and cautious even with shining virtue and experience. 258
134 Love between parents and siblings is a duty 260
135 Beauty and Cleanliness Should Not Be Boasted 262
136 Be Cool to the Whims and Jealousies of Your Situation 263
137 If you confuse work and class, you become lazy; if you reveal grace and resentment, you turn away. 265
138 If your official position, talent, and conduct are too high, it is dangerous. 267
139 Hidden evil deeds are harmful 268
140 Talent without virtue declines. 269
141 To eliminate evil, you must open a way of escape. 270
142 Merit and comfort are not shared. 272
143 A gentleman can awaken and save others with a single word. 274
144 Don't be driven by profit with a cool-headed perspective. 276
145 Broaden your horizons and cultivate your tolerance and virtue. 278
146 Illuminate Yourself with the Light of Wisdom 279
147 Blaming Yourself for Your Mistakes Opens the Path to Good Deeds 281
148 Business and wealth may disappear, but spirit and integrity remain unchanged. 283
149 There are intentions within intentions, and changes within changes. 285
150 To be a human being, you must have a sincere and sincere heart. 287
151 You don't have to clear your mind 289
152 Be wary of every thought, every word, every action. 291
153 If you treat it generously and leave it alone, it will happen on its own. 292
154. The foundation of morality and ethics must be virtue. 293
155 If you're going to quit, quit when you're at your best. 294
156 Don't Live with Superficial Acts and Intentions 296
157 Virtue is the foundation of business, and the heart is the root of descendants. 298
158 Do not be ignorant of your talents or boast about them. 300
159 Lead by the Way and Be Wary of Everything Through Learning 302
160 An honest person trusts others, a false person doubts others. 303
161 If you are generous, you will be full of energy, but if you are harsh, you will lose your energy. 304
162 If you do good deeds, your profits will naturally increase. 305
163 Renew your spirits when you meet an old friend. 307
164 Do not use diligence and frugality for personal gain. 308
165 If you improvise, you'll end up with a backward wheel. 310
166 Be generous to others and patient with your own difficulties. 312
167 Even eccentricity and nobility should not exceed a certain limit. 313
168 Grace should be at once harsh and generous, and majesty should be at once strict and generous. 314
169 Empty your mind and clear your thoughts 315
170 Don't be overly swayed by status. 317
171 Be mindful of the little things, too. 319
172 The essence of the mind is the same as the essence of the universe. 321
173 When there is no work, wake them up; when there is a lot of work, soothe them. 323
174 You must change your mindset when considering a task and when taking on a task. 325
175 One must have a strict demeanor and a gentle heart. 326
176 Don't get close to evil and don't pursue fame. 328
177 Treat others with sincerity, gentleness, and loyalty. 330
178 Have a compassionate and pure heart 332
179 Maintain your humanity through ordinary virtues and actions 333
180 One Word of Endurance 334
181 A person of integrity, even without achievements or scholarship. 336
182 Prepare when you're free, discipline your mind when you're busy. 338
183 Set your mind to heaven and earth, open your heart, and be kind. 340
184 Be fair and honest in your public affairs, and generous and frugal in your home life. 342
185 Know the pain of poverty when you are rich. 344
186 Accept the insults and embrace both good and evil. 346
187 Do not make enemies with petty people, and do not flatter the noble. 347
188 Obstacles blocked by stubbornness and loyalty are difficult to overcome. 348
189 Sharpen your learning like forging iron. 350
190 Become the person whom the mean man dislikes and the gentleman scolds. 352
191 Those who pursue fame are more harmful than those who pursue profit. 354
192 Repaying shallow grudges and doubting others' good deeds. 355
193 Flattery is more feared than slander. 356
194 Beware of High and Steep Behaviors and Tempers 357
195 If you are humble and well-mannered, you will achieve great things, but if you are stubborn, you will miss opportunities. 359
196 You should not behave too much like other people or too much differently from them. 361
197. Even at the end of a day or at the end of life, keep your mind strong. 362
198 Do not show off your intelligence or flaunt your talents. 364
199 Excessive frugality and humility are stinginess and meanness. 366
200 Worry and joy, stability and difficulty are fleeting. 367
201 Do not seek gain beyond your duty 368
202 Don't Just Pursue Pleasure, Embrace Suffering 370
203 When it's full, don't add more; when it's urgent, reduce the force. 371
204 Look, listen, and think calmly 373
205 A generous heart brings abundant blessings. 374
206 Don't Judge Hastily 375
207 If you are impatient and rough, you will achieve nothing. 376
208 Don't be overly harsh when writing to people 377
209 Beware of Dangers and Temptations 378
210 Possess the virtues of gentleness and humility. 379
211 Be frugal when in office, and firm when living in the countryside. 380
212 Fear the great and the people, and shun indulgence and tyranny. 382
213 Beware of resentment and indulgence when looking at the plight of others. 384
214 Don't Get Swept Up in Your Emotions 386
Read and observe until you reach the level of 215. 387
216 Share the power and wealth you have received widely. 389
217 An indifferent person is full of assumptions and suspicions, making it difficult to work. 391
218 The door of the heart means the foot of the heart. 393
219 Cover up others' faults and expose your own. 394
220 Children and young people must be trained to become excellent vessels. 396
221 When you're happy, worry and care for the weak. 398
222 Even if it takes a long time and is slow, it will eventually be accomplished. 399

sequel

1 Words and reality are not the same 405
It's better to be naive than talented, with two days off and leisurely. 406
3 Only when the water drains and the leaves fall does the true form become apparent. 409
4. If you are busy, miserable, and suffering, you cannot enjoy yourself. 411
5. Sentiment and scenery are close by 412
6 Waking from a dream within a dream and peeking into a body beyond the body 414
7. If your mind is clear and bright, you can read things. 415
Read a book without letters and play a harp without strings. 416
9 A place free from material desires is where the immortals reside. 418
10 The End of a Drinking Party is Bitter 419
11. When you understand the principle, you have both a magnificent view and a hero in your hands. 420
12 Unless you have the highest wisdom, you cannot discern clearly 422
13 In a short life, don't argue about long or short. 424
14 Don't Be Fooled by Superficial Asceticism 426
15 If you want to rest, rest now. 428
16. Change your situation, change your thinking. 430
17 You don't have to live in a remote place 431
18 Do not hate others' intoxication, and do not boast about your own tastes. 433
19 Long or short is a matter of perspective 435
20 Take it out and take it out again 436
21. Knowing Contentment Leads to Living Like a God 438
22 Living without greed is comfortable 439
23 Clouds bloom on the quilt, and moonlight seeps through the blanket. 440
24. Remembering Death Can Cultivate True Heart 442
25. If you take a step back, the road becomes wider. 444
26. Train in your leisure, discern the truth while you are alive. 445
27 Living in seclusion, there is no glory or shame. 446
28. Control your mind and live comfortably. 447
29 For every step forward, think of taking a step back. 449
30 He who knows contentment does not envy the king. 451
31 It is better to give up fame and reduce work. 453
32 A free-spirited person enjoys the world 454
33 The lonely cloud and the bright moon have nowhere to be bound. 456
34 A long and lasting taste is a simple taste 458
35 The Highest Embraces the Most Ordinary 460
36 Behave quietly in noisy places 462
37 When the mind is bound, even joy is a suffering. 463
38 When things are cluttered, memories become hazy, but when things are comfortable, they come back clearly. 465
39 Even if you are poor, you can live a life transcending the turbid world. 466
40. Simple is more precious than flashy, and elegant is more precious than vulgar. 468
41 To transcend the world, you must go through it. 470
42 Being leisurely and quiet is not harmful. 472
Living in a quiet world where dogs bark and roosters crow 473
44 If you don't desire wealth and honor, you have no worries. 476
45 Change Your Environment to Soothe Your Mind 477
46 Spring excites the heart, and autumn clears the mind. 479
47 Even if you don't know the letters, you still have a poetic feel 481
48 Things look different depending on your state of mind 482
49 Let it be like a ship untethered 485
50 Seeing Things with the Eyes of Nature and Heaven 487
51 Birds sing and flowers laugh, life is eternal. 489
52 Your life changes depending on what you fill your mind with. 490
53 If you hoard too much, you will lose a lot. 491
54 The wind blowing through the bamboo grove carries the sound of wind chimes 493
55 The flowers and birds of the mountains are full of life. 495
56 Deny the 'I' and escape the 'I' 496
57 Looking from afar, things look different 498
58 The state of recognition changes in a thousand ways. 499
59 Be calm when busy, and passionate when down. 501
60 A simple meal and a shelter are precious in life. 502
61 Exist freely in heaven and earth, forgetting things and myself. 504
62 What is accomplished will fall apart, so don't be overly upset. 506
63 If ​​you are not shaken by the turmoil of things, your body and mind are free. 507
64 Listen to the sounds of nature and see the beauty of heaven and earth 509
65 Even if it's miserable and vain, I won't stop being greedy. 510
66. One must be free from tempest and lively in nature. 512
67 Living in Accord with Your Nature 513
68 If you are not bound by the world, you are free. 515
69 Rise and fall are fleeting 516
70 Glory and shame are insignificant after they have passed. 518
71 How many are like moths and owls? 521
72 When you board the raft, think about what you'll be throwing away immediately. 523
73 Disputes can be resolved by a cool-headed judgment. 525
74. Live free from materialism and be true to your nature. 527
75 When material desires disappear, things appear transparent. 529
76 As I chant softly, the mountains and rivers blend together. 530
77 Later I Fly High 533
78 Returning to the Roots Shows a Wasted Movie 534
79 Living beyond desire is the true way. 535
80 Whether seeking fame or profit, the heart is the same. 537
81 Once you know the taste of the world, you have no more regrets. 539
82 Forget the past and don't anticipate the future. 541
83 Natural is true and beautiful 543
84 If your nature is pure, your mind and body will be at ease. 545
85 There is a true state in the heart 546
86 You Can't Get What's True Without Changing 548
87 All things and emotions in the world are normal. 550
88 Even if you're poor, if you have a sweet appetite, you'll know the true taste of life. 552
89 Whether you are bound or free depends on your mind. 553
90 It's enough to play the zither under the moonlight 555
91 Birdsongs and flower branches evoke the energy of life. 557
92 You must use your body and mind wisely. 559
93 When nature and mind become one, there is no gap. 561
94 The text and the Tao advance from crudeness to sophistication 562
95 If you get caught up in things, you can be enslaved. 564
96 When truth ceases, phenomena cease too. 566
97 Living Life the Way You Want 568
98 Think about life after death 570
99 Don't get caught up in the life before you; look ahead. 572
100 Where is the Beauty and Ugliness in Life? 574
101 Only the quiet and leisurely become the masters of the landscape. 576
102. Simplicity of desire is the highest state of life. 577
103 There is no mind in the mind, and things are inherently one. 578
104 Let go of the steep cliff 580
105 If you can make up your mind, you can step into the world. 582
106 Clinging to stillness becomes the beginning of movement 584
107 When you step into the world, you feel shaky and unsteady. 586
108 When you let go of your body and mind, birds and clouds become your friends. 588
109 When your thoughts change, your boundaries change. 589
If you want to learn 110 degrees, look hard for 591
111 When you stop being greedy, you see the scenery 593
112 The heart of heaven and earth has the will to save all things even when they are killed. 595
113 The mountain is more beautiful after the rain 597
114 Climbing a high mountain broadens your mind. 598
115 If you have a broad mind, even wealth and honor are trivial. 599
116 Becoming the Master of Things and Emotions Leads to Truth 601
117 Living in the World, Yet Escaping the World 603
118. Refine your body and mind and enjoy the atmosphere. 604
119 When the mind is calm, one reaches the true state. 605
120 Prosperity and Adversity Are the Same Thing 607
121 When I empty my mind, I forget things and myself. 609
122 When you're obsessed with profit, the world looks like a dust pit. 610
123 Flowers are only half-bloomed and alcohol is only slightly intoxicating to be enjoyable. 612
124 If you are not tainted by the laws of the world, you have dignity. 614
125 Don't just look at the beauty of things; awaken to order. 615
126 You can't be mentally and physically clear if you wander around the market. 617
127 Overflowing blessings are a trap of the world. 618
128 I am the master of my life 619
129 One thing happens, one harm happens 620
130 Evil men flock to the pure temple 623
131 Even if your body is in the work, your mind must be outside the work. 625
132 The more you take out, the more you get out 627
133 To eliminate inner conflict, you must be filled with a gentle energy. 629
134 Enjoy the unstringed zither and the short flute to your heart's content. 631
135 If you take comfort in whatever you encounter, there is nothing you cannot achieve. 633
136 Greedy hearts are wary of each other. 636
137 Nature breathes life into nature 638
138 Don't Fit into the World's Framework 640
139 Do not be proud of the benefits of wealth and honor. 642
140 Don't Be Obsessed with Things and Work 644
141 Living a life without greed in the mountains and rivers is true. 646

References 647

Rediscovery of Chaegeundam

1.
New discoveries about author Hong Ja-seong

In this book, the translator draws attention to the new fact that the author, Hong Ja-seong, whose whereabouts were unknown until then and who was only known as a 'Shinto', was a disciple of Wang Dogon, the leader of the literary world at the time.
Wang Dogun was a high-ranking official born into a family of Huizhou merchants, and was a very influential figure in the Huizhou commercial and literary circles.
He expressed the life and perspectives of Liu Shang (儒商), a Confucian merchant from Huizhou who formed the largest merchant force during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
『Chaegeundam』 is not simply a collection of proverbs, but rather a collection of proverbs that emerged from the business management and social atmosphere of Huizhou, which flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and thus, it is bound to naturally incorporate the management culture, interpersonal relationships, and leadership experiences of the merchant society.


So far, nothing is known about Hong Ja-seong.
Almost all of the text in “Xianren” by Wonhwang states that “Hong Ja-seong is a disciple of Shindo.”
In his “Commentary on Chaegeundam,” Imai Usaburo (今井 宇三?) understood this to mean that Hong Ja-seong was from Sacheon Province, and said that Hong Ja-seong was from Sacheon Province.
Since then, that claim has been almost accepted as established theory.
… … In the phrase ‘disciple of Shindo’, Shindo refers to the place name of Hwiju Heuphyeon and also to Wang Do-gon, who was from there.

Wangdogon was called Shindo (新都), his hometown.
At that time, Wang Se-jeong (1526-1590) and Wang Dogon were active leaders in the literary world.
The translator's claim that Hong Ja-seong was a disciple of Wang Dogon reveals a very interesting fact.
Wang Dogon was born into a family of merchants in Huizhou and was a high-ranking official who served as the Minister of War.
Both my grandfather and father were widows.
However, after being impeached and retiring, he reigned as a famous figure for over 20 years, interacting with his hometown literati and educating his disciples.
-From the commentary

2.
Translate from the original text after strict communication

There are two lineages to 『Chaegeundam』.
One is the first edition published during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, and the other is the Qing edition published in common use during the Qing Dynasty.
The first edition is rare in the surviving editions, but it was recently discovered that woodblock prints are in the possession of the Peking University Library and the Shanghai Library.
The memorial service written by Woo Gong-gyeom is included in the front, and under the title of the complete collection, it states, “Written by Hong Ja-seong (洪自誠), a person from Hwancho Island, proofread by Wang Geon-cho (校), a geosa from Gakmi,” indicating the author and proofreader.
The first edition published by the author himself accurately reflects the author's thoughts and is therefore more valuable than any other later edition. Therefore, the translator used it as a basis for translation and exchange, and investigated and exchanged all the original texts of the first edition series to create the definitive version.


All the translations and commentaries of 『Chaegeundam』 published in Korea, China, and Japan to date cannot be considered as authentic texts that have undergone strict communication, and this translation is the first to create a complete critical edition of the original text of 『Chaegeundam』, and to translate it according to the original text, and to add annotations and commentaries.
Through the Americas, we can confirm the reality of the errors so far.
The exchange included the first edition, the Cheongdam edition, and the Hwagak edition.
The translator considers the Cheongganbon to be a kind of anonymous forgery, so there is no need to reflect it in the review. However, since some evidence of forgery was revealed through the review, the Manhanhapbyeokbon and the Huiyeongheonchongseo versions were included in the review.
Through exchanges, errors in various editions, including the original, were identified and the standard version was confirmed.

3.
Reinterpretation of the worldview
- The commercial culture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties flourished
Reread the collection of proverbs that embodies the management philosophy and leadership of the merchant Huiju.

The translator, after careful consideration, composed the entire collection into 222 rules, and the later collection into 141 rules, for a total of 363 rules.
There is no specific standard for dividing the book into complete and second volumes. Generally, the complete volume contains many words about living in the world and living in the world, while the second volume contains many words about success, or retired life.
Because the complete collection is much larger in volume, 『Chaegeundam』 can be said to be a collection of wise sayings that places great emphasis on worldly conduct and worldly life.


The first collection focuses on the problems faced by young adults in the real world, that is, the life of young adults who go out into the world and try to achieve something, while the second collection focuses on the life of older adults who have retired and are leisurely contemplating life.
In particular, the complete collection exposes the reality of the harsh realities of the world and presents various ways to navigate such a world.
The importance of overcoming difficulties and actively realizing one's dreams is significant.
The direction is quite different from that of the general Cheongeonjip, and the translator says that this is due to his background growing up in the Huizhou merchant society, his academic background, personal connections, and regional characteristics.


Life and business are filled with crises and adversity, but luck and opportunity await us everywhere.
Even heroes cannot avoid the tricks of fate, but “A gentleman accepts adversity meekly when it comes, and even when he is at ease, he prepares for danger. Even heaven cannot display its true abilities against a gentleman.” (Chapter 69 of the Complete Works) He said that one should not leave one’s life to fate, but become the master of one’s own life and boldly forge one’s own path.
The most essential views on life and conduct in 『Chaegeundam』 are right here.


Hong Ja-seong saw the real world as a difficult, flawed, and contradictory place of life.
“In this world of twisted and harsh recognition and difficult and arduous paths, we must hold on to the word ‘endure’ and move on.” (Collected Works, 180 Rules) He said, “The word ‘endure’ has an extremely deep meaning.”
"Chaegeundam" is a book rooted in the lives of many who endure and live in the world without being frustrated or running away.
-From the commentary

Meanwhile, the translator summarized the main themes of conduct recommended by Hong Ja-seong in the later collection into five categories as follows:
In the anthology, he withdraws from the front lines of his profession, enduring the 'crooked and harsh human nature and the difficult and arduous path of the world' that he had been pursuing, and takes the direction of living a leisurely and peaceful life.
If the complete collection is closer to the thoughts of Confucianism, the later collection is closer to the thoughts of Taoism or Zen Buddhism.

First, when you want to rest, rest immediately, and accept the changes in your body and death.

Second, do not interfere with things and leave them to things, but see all things as they are.

Third, do not force yourself into the fixed framework of worldly affairs. You are the master of your own life theater.

Fourth, stay away from vain movies and windfalls, and do not become a slave to material things.

Fifth, avoid extremes and do not be complacent about extreme wealth.
Sixth, do not plot in your mind and stop your mind from working.

4.
Commentary and composition

『Chaegeundam』 is a collection of poems written in beautiful language, representing the hundreds of poems published in the late Ming Dynasty.
The translator added commentary to the translation, which accurately conveys the original meaning of 『Chaegeundam』, which has the unique thoughts and grammar of Manman Cheongeon, with a modern sensibility so that today's readers can easily understand it.
Considering the characteristics of Cheongeon, a poetic prose, we translated it into beautiful Korean so that readers can feel and appreciate its literary beauty, and explained the implicit meaning in the commentary.
The commentary includes explanations of difficult characters and phrases, sources of classics and vocabulary, and other content requiring further explanation.


A commentary has been included before the main text to help with a comprehensive understanding of 『Chaegeundam』.
Each rule has been given a new title that summarizes the topic of the article to help readers guess the topic, and the original text and translation have been divided into appropriate lines for easier viewing and understanding.
We have included pictures and text that visually show the content of the text, including the pen-written notes of the 70th and 71st rules of the second volume of 『Chaegeundam』 by Baekbeom Kim Gu (1876-1949) (illustrated on page 520).