Lackluster writing or speech never travels far. What Confucius (551-479 BC) meant when he said this is that, in foreign relations, a diplomat should be eloquent and persuasive to achieve goals and become meritorious. Likewise, if an idea is to spread far or be remembered for long, it must be put to paper by rules of writing and with beautiful wording. In The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, Liu Xie (465?-520 or 532？) of the Southern Dynasties cited these words of Confucius to uphold the importance of diction and to stress the importance of an essay’s layout and technique. This term highlights the instrumental role of writing in explaining and being useful to the world, thus raising the status of literary criticism in the history of thought and culture.

Confucius said: “According to ancient sources, ‘Language proves fit for expressing ideas, and rhetorical skills suffice to retouch language.’ If he doesn’t speak, who knows how he views anything? Even if he does, lackluster writing or speech will not travel far.” (Zuo’s Commentary on The Spring and Autumn Annals)

Beautiful wording with literary grace spreads far and wide. This has been proved sufficiently true. Once we know how to express our feelings and aspirations, we will be able to display our literary talent with ease. (Liu Xie: The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons)