生平

初仕季漢

少時遊於蜀國太學，專攻《毛詩》、《三禮》，師事譙周，門人以文立比喻為顏回，陳壽、李密為子游、子夏，羅憲為子貢。兼通群書。益州刺史費禕任命其為州從事。後入朝為尚書郎。費禕為大將軍時任文立為東曹掾。魏滅蜀後，舉為秀才，官拜郎中。

劉恂無道

劉禪太子劉璿在鍾會之亂中喪生，應立次子劉瑤為繼承人，但劉禪偏愛六子劉恂，立劉恂為繼承人，文立勸諫，劉禪不願採納。劉恂襲為安樂公。劉恂驕橫暴虐，梁州、益州的人士都想上表廢黜他，文立阻止他們說：「他只損害了自己的家族，不殃及百姓。」後來劉恂淫亂無道，何攀與上庸太守王崇、涪陵太守張寅作書進諫指責，要他思量文立所言。

譙周預言

咸熙二年（公元265年），文立從洛陽回蜀，前去拜訪譙周。譙周因病說話並不清楚，於是寫上：「典午忽兮，月酉沒兮。」典午指的是司馬，月酉代表八月的時候，結果司馬昭果真在八月時死亡。

晉武賞識

司馬炎執政期間，曆官濟陽太守、太子中庶子、散騎常侍。他曾上表司馬炎，建議錄用諸葛亮等人的後代，理由是以此來安撫巴蜀的民心，除掉東吳企圖分裂取事之望，此舉被司馬炎所採納。後晉武帝司馬炎下詔：「諸葛亮在蜀中，竭盡心思和能力，他的兒子諸葛瞻面臨危難恪守大義而死，他的孫子諸葛京應該按照才幹授予官職。」又表揚傅僉父子，讓本已經沒入奚官的傅僉之子傅著、傅募，被赦免為庶人。

有次西域向朝廷獻馬，司馬炎問文立：「馬何如？」文立回答說，此事可問掌管馬政的官員。受到司馬炎的讚許。文立謙虛謹慎受武帝厚愛。武帝中期升任衛尉，為九卿之一，朝中官員服其賢雅。

陳壽曾撰《益部耆舊傳》十篇。文立向朝廷呈獻此書，受到司馬炎的嘉獎。

泰始六年（公元270年），羅憲病逝後，巴東監軍職缺由犍為（隸屬益州，地界在今四川省東南與重慶市交界一帶；郡府武陽，今四川省彭山縣）太守楊欣繼任；不久楊欣調任涼州（今甘肅省一帶）刺史，朝廷考慮由唐彬或楊宗接此前線軍事重任。晉武帝司馬炎徵詢文立的意見，文立說：「楊宗、唐彬都是國家不可或缺的將才，但唐彬貪財，楊宗好酒，請陛下斟酌。」司馬炎說：「財慾可以滿足，但嗜酒之性難改。」於是選任唐彬。

晚年文立連上表以年老之因，乞求解替，想返回家鄉，但司馬炎不准許。後於咸寧末去世。司馬炎認為文立是對家鄉頗有情感的人，將他的遺體送回蜀地，還專門派使者護喪事、修建其墳墓。其所著章奏、詩賦數十篇，今已佚。

評價

• 程瓊：「廣休可謂不黨矣！故吾善夫人也。」

• 《華陽國志》評曰：散騎穆穆，誠感聖君。

• 司馬炎：太子中庶子立，忠貞清實，有思理器幹。前在濟陰，政事脩明。後事東宮，盡輔導之節。昔光武平隴、蜀，皆收其才秀，所以援濟殊方，伸敘幽滯也。

延伸閱讀

Life

Wen Li was born in Linjiang, Ba Commandery (巴郡), which is present-day Zhong County, Chongqing. Mao Chu (毛楚) and Yang Chong (楊崇), both from the same Ba Commandery (巴郡) as Wen Li, were also known for their virtues and talents. Yang Chong served as the Administrator of Wuling (武陵太守). In his youth, he studied at the Taixue (太學; Imperial Academy) of Shu Han where he specialized himself into Classic of Poetry and The Three Rites as well as a wide range of other texts. He was a student of Qiao Zhou. Among his fellow disciples, he was compared to Yan Hui due to his eagerness to learn and modesty. While other of his classmates such as Chen Shou and Li Mi were compared to Yan Yan and Bu Shang. Along with them, Luo Xian was compared to Duanmu Ci.

When Fei Yi was the Inspector of Yi Province (益州刺史; from 244 to 253), Wen Li served as his secretary. Thereafter, he was appointed Gentleman of the Masters of Writing (尚書郎). While Fei Yi was General-in-Chief (大將軍), Wen Li was also employed to serve as an assistant official in the east bureau of his office. Later, he was relocated as Master of Writing (尚書; wrote up and distributed imperial edicts).

After the conquest of Shu by Wei, he started his career under Wei in Liang Province as Bieja (別駕; important assistant to the governor of the province) where he selected people recommended as xiucai (秀才; person who passed the county level imperial exam) and langzhong (郎中; "Gentleman of the Palace"). When Emperor Wu wanted to bring more talents from Liang and Yi provinces, Wen Li was selected among other outstanding scholars. In 266, he was appointed as Administrator of Jiyin (濟陰太守).

When Sima Yan established his son Sima Zhong as the Crown Prince in 267, he appointed the Minister of Works, Li Yin (李胤) as the Prince's tutor, and selected Sima You (司马攸) and Wen Li to be his junior tutors. Wen Li served as zhongshuzi (中庶子) whose role was to manage part of the imperial palace and provide guidance to the crown prince.

Afterwards, Wen Li submitted a memorial stating that the Crown Prince was a gifted and virtuous young man with a bright future, and that the attendants who served him should be selected from among talented and virtuous men. Wen Li further advised that the attendants should be observant and attentive to the Crown Prince's manners and conduct, listen carefully to his words, and be ready to respond with wisdom and insight. He emphasized the great responsibility of serving as attendants to the Crown Prince, which could only be entrusted to the most capable and virtuous individuals.

Sima Yan responded favorably to him by quoting an old saying. Thereafter, Wen Li wrote another memorial in which he appealed for clemency and recommended that the descendants of officials who had served the former state of Shu, including Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wan and Fei Yi should be employed and rewarded regardless of the past, in order to comfort the people of Ba–Shu regions and to furthermore encourage people of Wu to submit to Jin. His propositions were adopted.

Later, Sima Yan issued an edict where he praised Zhuge Liang for his fidelity toward his state and his son Zhuge Zhan for facing death with righteousness. Stating that Zhuge Liang's grandson Zhuge Jing (諸葛京) should be granted official position according to his ability. He also praised Fu Rong and Fu Qian for their loyalty and said that Fu Qian's sons. Fu Zhu (傅著) and Fu Mu (傅募) should be exempted from being commoners and employed them as officials.

In 274, an imperial edict stated: "The Crown Prince's attendant, Wen Li is loyal, steadfast and thoroughly sincere. Think with reason and act with talent. Previously, when he administered Jiyin, his governmence was clear and bright. Later, he assisted with the Imperial Palace and fulfilled his duties as a mentor. In the past, Emperor Guangwu pacified the regions of Shu by utilizing the talents of the local people, so they could provide him new directions thus achieving success in remote areas and promoting the development of those who were neglected. Therefore, it seems just to have Wen Li as Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary (散騎常侍)."

Wen Li repeatedly declined the offer, but Sima Yan did not accept his refusal. Therefore, Wen Li submitted a memorial saying: "The heart of a minister should desire thrift in order to cultivate gain. When it comes to human's emotion, greed should be quieted in order to make place to brightness. Yet, It is a natural tendency for people to covet the opportunity to go from obscurity to prominence. This is true for both the wise and the foolish. How could I be an exception? But when I think about it, I am neither talented nor capable of handling important affairs. I am merely a humble and foolish person; how could I face such an assignment?" An Imperial edict answered: ""The position Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary (散騎常侍) is bestowed upon those with talent. Why are you so modest?"

Wen Li continued to serve Sima Yan, offering suggestions on various matters and making significant contributions. He recruited talented people from Liang and Yi provinces, ensuring that they were fairly asserrted and given appropriate positions. As a result, he was highly regarded by his peers. A former Shu official, who worked as Master of Writing (尚書), Cheng Qiong (程瓊) was known as a virtuous man of high moral character. He had a close relationship with Wen Li. When Sima Yan heard of Cheng Qiong's reputation, he asked Wen Li about him. Wen Li replied: "I am very familiar with this person. However, he is almost eighty years old and, by nature modest and unassuming. He no longer holds the same aspirations as before and that is why I have not mentioned him to Your Majesty." Upon hearing this, Cheng Qiong said: "Guangxiu (Wen Li's courtesy name) can truly be considered impartial! That is why I have always admired him."

When horses were presented from the western border, Sima Yan asked Wen Li: "What do you think of the horses?" Wen Li replied: "I would like to ask the master of the stable." Sima Yan appreciated his humility and prudence. Wen Li was later promoted to the position of Minister of the Guards (衛尉) but still maintained his previous responsibilities. His virtuous and elegant demeanor was admired by the imperial court, and he became a renowned minister of the time.

He often submitted memorials requesting to be relieved of his duties due to his old age and to return to his hometown, but Sima Yan refused. Eventually, Wen Li died in 279. Sima Yan, knowing Wen Li's affection for his homeland ordered his burial in the Shu region and arranged for an envoy to accompany the funeral procession. The local government and people honored him greatly.

Appraisal and anecdote

Chang Qu, who wrote Wen Li's biography in the Chronicles of Huayang (Huayang Guo Zhi), appraised Wen Li as follows: "Solemn aura, sense of sincerity and sage gentleman."

As Liu Shan's eldest son, Crown Prince Liu Xuan died in Zhong Hui's Rebellion, his second son Liu Yao (劉瑤) was expected to succeed him. However, Liu Shan's favorite son (his sixth son, Liu Xun (劉恂)) was chosen instead. Wen Li strongly advised against this decision, but his advice was not heeded. Liu Xun, who succeeded his father as the Duke of Anle (安樂公), grew up to be arrogant and cruel. People from Liang and Yi provinces wanted to submit a petition to have him removed from his position but Wen Li stopped them, arguing that the Duke's actions only harmed his own family and not the common people. Later, Liu Xun continued his licentious and immoral ways. He Pan, Wang Chong Administrator of Shangyong (上庸太守) and Zhang Yin (張寅) Administrator of Fuling (涪陵太守) wrote letters admonishing him and reminding him to reflect on Wen Li's advice. Wen Li wrote dozens of memorials, essays, poems, and praises who were collected into several volumes. But since then, most of them have been lost.