In this blog post, we will look at how King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty read and utilized books, and examine the significance of his reading philosophy and practices for us today.
Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea is considered to be the most book-loving monarch in the history of the Joseon Dynasty. From the perspective of a ruler, Jeongjo’s reading emphasized practicality, and for him, practical books were those that helped him govern the world. Therefore, he regarded history books as mirrors that reflect the present based on the past, giving them a significance second only to the scriptures. He also sought to read a wide variety of books through exchanges with practical scholars, which helped him broaden his knowledge and govern the country. However, he never read a single novel in his entire life, believing that they were useless and corrupting to the mind. Jeongjo considered not only the content of books but also their form and the posture of reading them to be important, and he banned small books that could be carried in the sleeves and desks designed for comfortable reading while lying down.
Jeongjo believed that learning should be practical and help govern morality and human relations, so he rejected reading that was bound by a single framework as a dead letter and encouraged flexible reading that could be expanded according to one’s needs and circumstances. Therefore, when reading the scriptures, he emphasized that one should carefully consider the intentions of the sages, but not blindly follow them. Instead, one should interpret them anew according to one’s own needs, raise questions, and read in a way that can be applied to one’s life. Jeongjo particularly emphasized the importance of reading to young scholars, stressing that knowledge should not simply remain in the head, but should be put into practice in real life. He also said, “If you do not examine carefully, discern clearly, and learn with your mind and body, what good is it to memorize books that would fill five carts every day?” He believed that the basic attitude toward learning was to not get caught up in trivial details, but to learn the meaning of books for oneself and strive to put it into practice.
Jeongjo also emphasized various aspects of reading methods. He said that it is good to decide on the content and amount of books to read every day, and that rather than trying to read many books, it is better to read one book repeatedly and thoroughly. He also emphasized that it was important to grasp the main points first rather than trying to understand everything at once, and that reading alone could lead to misconceptions, so it was necessary to discuss what one had learned in order to confirm its validity and correct any misconceptions. In particular, Jeongjo led reading circles with his ministers to discuss and share knowledge, and through these discussions, he sought practical solutions for governing the country. Jeongjo put his thoughts on books into practice in his own life and found practical answers to his questions through reading.
Jeongjo also took a keen interest in the preservation and dissemination of books. He collected various books, organized them systematically, and passed them on to future generations. He also established a library in the palace so that anyone could easily access books. These efforts contributed greatly to the cultural development of the late Joseon period by promoting the spread of learning and knowledge. Jeongjo’s passion for books and his philosophy of reading continue to inspire many people today, and his achievements remain a shining page in the history of Joseon.
Jeongjo developed his ideas and policies through books, which had a positive impact on Joseon society as a whole. He promoted policies for the people and worked to solve various social problems based on the knowledge and wisdom he gained from reading. This aspect of Jeongjo’s character clearly demonstrates his philosophy of governance and further highlights his reputation as a monarch who loved books.
