Tingshi's Initial Wish

Here is my summarized and translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book three, Chapter on Trust( 信). Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.

Liu Tingshi lived during the Song dynasty. Before achieving the title of Jing Shi (进士, this is equivalent to the education level of doctorate in our modern times), he had already made plans to marry a young lady from his home town. At that time, the betrothal gifts had not been given yet. After Liu Tingshi attained the title of Jin Shi, the young lady contracted a illness and became blind. Furthermore, the lady's family became very poor and dare not bring up the marriage matter to Liu Tingshi. Somebody advised Liu Tingshi to marry the young lady's little sister who was not blind. He smiled and replied, "At that time, I have already decided to take her as my wife. How can I go against my initial wish?" Eventually, he married the blind lady who later bore him several sons. After some time, the blind lady passed away and Liu Tingshi never remarry.

The famous scholar, Su Shi (苏轼, his literary name is 苏东坡), asked him, "Grief arises from love and love arises from looks. Where does the love for your wife arise from?" Liu Tingshi replied, "I only know that I had lost my wife." Later, Liu Tingshi retired to a place at Lushan (庐山) and enjoyed longevity, living till a very old age.

Xu Zhijing commented that in ancient times, there were people who questioned one who enjoyed longevity to find out the cause of longevity. The reply was that having an ugly wife was the reason for longevity. Hence, having an ugly wife was to be seen as a blessing and not someone whom one disliked. Moreover, Tingshi did not go against his initial wish of marrying the young lady even though she had become blind. That was an act of benevolence and the benevolent ones enjoyed longevity. Shu Shi, of course knew that and used Liu Tingshi as a good example to educate others and future generations by posing him the question concerning love and looks.

Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,三集卷四,《二十四信》, 编号 : dykb3-04, story number 18.