Ancient China · Scholar and Teacher

Tian Zifang 田子方

Attested BC 445 - BC 396

Passages: 2
Chapters: 2
Histories: 2

Overview

Tian Zifang was a scholar and Teacher.

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 445 to BC 396 受業於子夏之倫，為王者師
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passages 12-13
BC 445 to BC 396 昔田子方贖老馬
Directly stated · Book of Sui 56, passage 17

Key source chapters

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 121 Biographies of Confucian Scholars 1 passage
Book of Sui, Chapter 56 Volume 56 Biographies 21: Lu Kai, Ling Huxi, Xue Zhou, Yu Wenbi, Zhang Heng, Yang Wang 1 passage

Career and standing

teacher of kings 王者師
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 12

Events and relationships

Ransomed an old horse
BC 445 to BC 396 昔田子方贖老馬 · Anecdote · Actor
Directly stated · Book of Sui 56, passage 17
Served as teacher of kings
Scholarly · Teacher
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 12

Assessments and attributes

Assessment gentlemen still praise his ransoming of an old horse · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Lu Kai (盧愷)
Directly stated · Book of Sui 56, passage 17

Source notes

Value historical
Directly stated · Book of Sui 56, passage 17

References in the histories

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 121Biographies of Confucian Scholars · 1 passage

如田子方、段干木、吳起、禽滑釐之屬，皆受業於子夏之倫，為王者師。 Figures like Tian Zifang, Duan Ganmu, Wu Qi, and Qin Guli all studied under the circle of Zixia and went on to become teachers of kings.

Book of Sui, Chapter 56Volume 56 Biographies 21: Lu Kai, Ling Huxi, Xue Zhou, Yu Wenbi, Zhang Heng, Yang Wang · 1 passage

愷進諫曰：「昔田子方贖老馬，君子以為美談。 Kai stepped forward to remonstrate: "Long ago Tian Zifang ransomed an old horse—a deed gentlemen still praise.