Zhang Zhi

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Zhang Zhi (Traditional Chinese: 張芝; ? - c.192) was a Chinese calligrapher of the Han Dynasty. He was a native of Dunhuang, and his courtesy name was Boying (伯英). A pioneer of the "modern cursive script", he was traditionally referred to as the "Sage of Curives script" (草聖).

A catchphrase is attributed to him: "Too busy to write cursively" (匆匆不暇草書)[1], which shows that the execution of cursive script, though originally invented for the sake of time-saving, requires a tranquil frame of mind.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ There is a similar Chinese proverb: "Too hasty to write in cursive script; too impoverished to prepare a vegetarian meal." (信速不及草書，家貧難辦素食。) Compare the well-known quote by Pascal: "Je n'ai fait celle-ci plus longue que parce que je n'ai pas eu le loisir de la faire plus courte." (in Lettres provinciales)
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