Chinese Chronology and Cycles

PREFACE.

Even a brief observation of the opinions held by educated Chinese people, regarding how their government and customs compare to those of other countries, reveals a widespread belief that China far surpasses all other nations in historical age. Consequently, they believe they possess a more ancient and proven civilization—both political and social—which they claim has given them the accumulated wisdom of many ages. Therefore, they feel entitled to be considered superior to other peoples whose national experience they say covers a much shorter period of time.

Such an impression, even if it were based on truth, would naturally create an excessive feeling of superiority over those who are believed to lack such advantages. This is similar to how the Egyptian priests of Sais felt toward the Greeks; they told the statesman Solon Solon (c. 630 – c. 560 BC) was a famous Athenian lawmaker; according to Plato, Egyptian priests told him that the Greeks had no ancient history and were "but children" in knowledge. that the Greeks were merely children in their knowledge of the past. However, as will be shown, this Chinese assumption of superiority is a purely imaginary feeling of self-esteem without any real foundation. Furthermore, due to their isolation from the rest