Abstract
:In 1751, Zheng Banqiao wrote his famous calligraphy Nande hutu (难得糊涂; “It’s difficult to be muddled”). Inquiries into the calligraphy reveal different dimensions of the saying. Its most popular interpretation can be found in self-improvement books on “the art of being muddled” (hutuxue). What academic, official, and popular discourses on the saying have in common is their dialectical reasoning and frequent references to other popular related sayings, to quotes from the ancient classics, and to ancient heroes and historical figures. This issue will explore a few interpretations of the saying. Some prove to be critical with regard to the application of its underlying wisdom, while others focus on its philosophical (Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist), psychological, and/or sociocultural dimension. This issue will also shed light on its pragmatic interpretation as a popular strategy to navigate more positively through life.
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