Why civilisations burn their own books

In times of peace, books are indeed a treasure trove — “if a man wishes to fulfill his lifelong ambitions, he must diligently study the Five Classics.” Books essentially became a secret manual to success and honour, like the martial arts manual Sunflower Scripture (葵花宝典) in Jin Yong’s wuxia novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer.Books have always held an esteemed position in society. However, the