The Chinese have always shown a keen delight in the beautiful—­in flowers, music, poetry, literature, embroidery, paintings, porcelain.  They cultivated ornamental plants, almost every house, as we saw, having its garden, large or small, and tables were often decorated with flowers in vases or ornamental wire baskets or fruits or sweetmeats.  Confucius made music an instrument of government.  Paper bearing the written character was so respected that it might not be thrown on the ground or trodden on.  Delight was always shown in beautiful scenery or tales of the marvellous.  Commanding or agreeable situations were chosen for temples.  But until within the last few years streets and houses were generally unclean, and decency in public frequently absent.

Morality was favoured by public opinion, but in spite of early marriages and concubinage there was much laxity.  Cruelty both to human beings and animals has always been a marked trait in the Chinese character.  Savagery in warfare, cannibalism, luxury, drunkenness, and corruption prevailed in the earliest times.  The attitude toward women was despotic.  But moral principles pervaded the classical writings, and formed the basis of law.  In spite of these, the inferior sentiment of revenge was, as we have seen, approved and preached as a sacred duty.  As a result of the universal yin-yang dualistic doctrines, immorality was leniently regarded.  In modern times, at least, mercantile honour was high, “a merchant’s word is as good as his bond” being truer in China than in many other countries.  Intemperance was rare.  Opium-smoking was much indulged in until the use of the drug was forcibly suppressed (1906-16).  Even now much is smuggled into the country, or its growth overlooked by bribed officials.  Clan quarrels and fights were common, vendettas sometimes continuing for generations.  Suicide under depressing circumstances was approved and honoured; it was frequently resorted to under the sting of great injustice.  There was a deep reverence for parents and superiors.  Disregard of the truth, when useful, was universal, and unattended by a sense of shame, even on detection.  Thieving was common.  The illegal exactions of rulers were burdensome.  In times of prosperity pride and satisfaction in material matters was not concealed, and was often short-sighted.  Politeness was practically universal, though said to be often superficial; but gratitude was a marked characteristic, and was heartfelt.  Mutual conjugal affection was strong.  The love of gambling was universal.

But little has occurred in recent years to modify the above characters.  Nevertheless the inferior traits are certainly being changed by education and by the formation of societies whose members bind themselves against immorality, concubinage, gambling, drinking, smoking, etc.

Religious Ideas