Official Sacred Record
LEGACY
Politician Seong Sam-mun's reading records
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I n t r o d u c t i o n
Six Martyred Ministers Seong Sam-mun
PoliticianKR1418 — 1456
A civil official and Jiphyeonjeon scholar of early Joseon. He participated in the creation of Hunminjeongeum and was one of the Six Martyred Ministers who died for loyalty after attempting to restore King Danjong.
“Thinking what this body of red loyalty shall become after being torn to death, I shall become a tall, green pine standing high alone in that desolate mountain.”
C o n t e m p o r a r i e s
L i b r a r y
Cultural Journey
How cultural experiences shaped this figure's life
Seong Sam-mun was a scholar who burned learning as fuel for loyalty. As a scholar of Jiphyeonjeon, the range of texts he encountered was among the highest of any intellectual of his age. By royal command of King Sejong, he compiled the *Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon* together with Sin Suk-ju, Park Paeng-nyeon, and Choe Hang, and participated in the compilation of phonological texts such as *Dongguk Jeongun* and *Hongmu Jeongun Yeok-hun*. He was also one of a select few scholars to benefit from *sagadokseо*—the institution by which the king granted officials leave to devote themselves entirely to reading. He was a reader trusted enough that the king would send him away to read.
Seong Sam-mun's scholarly appreciation turned on two axes. One was the practical axis of phonology and linguistics. The record of his making thirteen journeys to Ming China during the process of creating Hunminjeongeum to question the phonologist Huang Zan reveals the aspect of a practical scholar who did not read texts only at his desk. He crossed national borders to grasp the principles of sound. The other was the moral axis of the Confucian classics. For him, the classics he lectured on as a royal classics lecturer—including the *Book of Rites*—were not a source of knowledge but a form of life.
The path Seong Sam-mun chose after Sejo's usurpation of the throne was the consequence of these two axes. The intellect devoted to creating letters, and the teaching of the classics on the ethics of loyalty between ruler and minister, merged and erupted as the action of attempting to restore King Danjong. His verse in his final poem—"I will stand alone in green amid the snow"—is the scene showing how Confucian appreciation manifests in its ultimate moment. For Seong Sam-mun, to read is to keep faith.
Seong Sam-mun's scholarly appreciation turned on two axes. One was the practical axis of phonology and linguistics. The record of his making thirteen journeys to Ming China during the process of creating Hunminjeongeum to question the phonologist Huang Zan reveals the aspect of a practical scholar who did not read texts only at his desk. He crossed national borders to grasp the principles of sound. The other was the moral axis of the Confucian classics. For him, the classics he lectured on as a royal classics lecturer—including the *Book of Rites*—were not a source of knowledge but a form of life.
The path Seong Sam-mun chose after Sejo's usurpation of the throne was the consequence of these two axes. The intellect devoted to creating letters, and the teaching of the classics on the ethics of loyalty between ruler and minister, merged and erupted as the action of attempting to restore King Danjong. His verse in his final poem—"I will stand alone in green amid the snow"—is the scene showing how Confucian appreciation manifests in its ultimate moment. For Seong Sam-mun, to read is to keep faith.
Cultural Journey
How cultural experiences shaped this figure's life
Seong Sam-mun was a scholar who burned learning as fuel for loyalty. As a scholar of Jiphyeonjeon, the range of texts he encountered was among the highest of any intellectual of his age. By royal command of King Sejong, he compiled the *Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon* together with Sin Suk-ju, Park Paeng-nyeon, and Choe Hang, and participated in the compilation of phonological texts such as *Dongguk Jeongun* and *Hongmu Jeongun Yeok-hun*. He was also one of a select few scholars to benefit from *sagadokseо*—the institution by which the king granted officials leave to devote themselves entirely to reading. He was a reader trusted enough that the king would send him away to read.
Seong Sam-mun's scholarly appreciation turned on two axes. One was the practical axis of phonology and linguistics. The record of his making thirteen journeys to Ming China during the process of creating Hunminjeongeum to question the phonologist Huang Zan reveals the aspect of a practical scholar who did not read texts only at his desk. He crossed national borders to grasp the principles of sound. The other was the moral axis of the Confucian classics. For him, the classics he lectured on as a royal classics lecturer—including the *Book of Rites*—were not a source of knowledge but a form of life.
The path Seong Sam-mun chose after Sejo's usurpation of the throne was the consequence of these two axes. The intellect devoted to creating letters, and the teaching of the classics on the ethics of loyalty between ruler and minister, merged and erupted as the action of attempting to restore King Danjong. His verse in his final poem—"I will stand alone in green amid the snow"—is the scene showing how Confucian appreciation manifests in its ultimate moment. For Seong Sam-mun, to read is to keep faith.
Seong Sam-mun's scholarly appreciation turned on two axes. One was the practical axis of phonology and linguistics. The record of his making thirteen journeys to Ming China during the process of creating Hunminjeongeum to question the phonologist Huang Zan reveals the aspect of a practical scholar who did not read texts only at his desk. He crossed national borders to grasp the principles of sound. The other was the moral axis of the Confucian classics. For him, the classics he lectured on as a royal classics lecturer—including the *Book of Rites*—were not a source of knowledge but a form of life.
The path Seong Sam-mun chose after Sejo's usurpation of the throne was the consequence of these two axes. The intellect devoted to creating letters, and the teaching of the classics on the ethics of loyalty between ruler and minister, merged and erupted as the action of attempting to restore King Danjong. His verse in his final poem—"I will stand alone in green amid the snow"—is the scene showing how Confucian appreciation manifests in its ultimate moment. For Seong Sam-mun, to read is to keep faith.
S i g n a t u r eL i n e s
Quote
“Thinking what this body of red loyalty shall become after being torn to death, I shall become a tall, green pine standing high alone in that desolate mountain.”
Greeting
“When this body dies, may it become a great pine standing tall.”
“The iron has gone cold — bring it back to the forge.”
“I have not spent a single grain of your stipend.”
Roll Call
“I will serve the will of the deposed king.”
“A loyalty sworn once does not change.”
“You called — I will come forward.”
Deploy
“Advance for the righteous cause!”
“Those who stand firm in integrity — follow me!”
“The hour of our endeavor has come!”
Victory
“It is by the grace of the deposed king.”
“Though white snow blankets all the world, I alone shall stand evergreen.”
“Loyalty has seen the light.”
Draw
“This is not over yet.”
“We must wait for the next opportunity.”
“Retreat — but do not break your resolve.”
Defeat
“My body may be broken, but my integrity is not.”
“It is my deepest regret that I could not fulfill my purpose.”
“Even in death, the name of a loyal subject will remain.”
Strike
“Advance for righteousness!”
“Cut down the traitors!”
“I do not fear death!”
Quote
“Thinking what this body of red loyalty shall become after being torn to death, I shall become a tall, green pine standing high alone in that desolate mountain.”
Greeting
“When this body dies, may it become a great pine standing tall.”
“The iron has gone cold — bring it back to the forge.”
“I have not spent a single grain of your stipend.”
Roll Call
“I will serve the will of the deposed king.”
“A loyalty sworn once does not change.”
“You called — I will come forward.”
Deploy
“Advance for the righteous cause!”
“Those who stand firm in integrity — follow me!”
“The hour of our endeavor has come!”
Victory
“It is by the grace of the deposed king.”
“Though white snow blankets all the world, I alone shall stand evergreen.”
“Loyalty has seen the light.”
Draw
“This is not over yet.”
“We must wait for the next opportunity.”
“Retreat — but do not break your resolve.”
Defeat
“My body may be broken, but my integrity is not.”
“It is my deepest regret that I could not fulfill my purpose.”
“Even in death, the name of a loyal subject will remain.”
Strike
“Advance for righteousness!”
“Cut down the traitors!”
“I do not fear death!”
P e r s o n aA n a l y s i s
Overview
Peak loyalty and overwhelming courage combined with strong Confucian conservatism to make him the symbol of Joseon loyalty. Exceptional intellect and diligence produced the cultural achievement of Hangul, while the inseparability of duty and scholarship defines the archetypal stat balance of the integrated Confucian literatus-official.
Core Abilities
Command55
Martial22
Intellect88
Charm70
Inner Virtues
Temperance72
Diligence88
Reflection75
Courage97
Outer Virtues
Loyalty99
Benevolence68
Fairness78
Humility65
Core Disposition
Pessimism
Optimism
Conservative
Progressive
Individual
Social
Cautious
Bold
Similar Figures
Overview
Peak loyalty and overwhelming courage combined with strong Confucian conservatism to make him the symbol of Joseon loyalty. Exceptional intellect and diligence produced the cultural achievement of Hangul, while the inseparability of duty and scholarship defines the archetypal stat balance of the integrated Confucian literatus-official.
Core Abilities
Command55
Martial22
Intellect88
Charm70
Inner Virtues
Temperance72
Diligence88
Reflection75
Courage97
Outer Virtues
Loyalty99
Benevolence68
Fairness78
Humility65
Core Disposition
Pessimism
Optimism
Conservative
Progressive
Individual
Social
Cautious
Bold
Similar Figures
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