Abstract: The Qing-Dynasty Confucian scholar Liu Xizai (1813-1881) expanded his idea about inner saint in terms of philosophy, literature and arts, and self-cultivation throughout his life. In such works as Private Words to Uphold the Will (Chizhi Shuyan) and Reading Notes from Ancient Tung Tree Studio (Gutong Shuwo Zhaji), Liu explored the ways to integrate life and art, human nature and artificial skills, with strong humanistic concerns. Underlying his concept of inner saint is the fusion of the idea of "literary creation as the study of mind" and the ideal of poetic virtue. Inner saintliness is achieved in the mind’s return to the state of detachedness to objects and integrity with objects, while poetic virtue of an inner saint shows the characteristics that no overindulgence in sadness would be resulted from worries and total detachedness would not align with the idea of moderation. Therefore, transcending self and objects, concerning the world and maintaining a high moral standard should be pursued as a combined spirit.

Key words: Liu Xizai, Generalization of Arts, inner saint, poetic virtue