Abstract

Nguyen Trai was a major figure in medieval Vietnamese literature and an influential thinker, politician, military strategist, and cultural figure in national history. This article examines the thought of humanity and righteousness in his Chinese-language poetry from two perspectives: its origins and its aesthetic and ideological expressions. Rather than remaining solely a Confucian moral concept, this thought was transformed in the Vietnamese context into a commitment to bringing peace to the people, caring for and protecting them, regarding them as the foundation of the nation, and establishing lasting peace through civil governance. Based on Uc Trai thi tap, the article further explores how this people-centered ideal connects patriotism, loyalty, filial piety, concern for the people, and Nguyen Trai’s commitment to public service.

Keywords: Nguyen Trai, humanity and righteousness, bringing peace to the people, Uc Trai thi tap, Dai Viet Confucianism.