confucius

Confucius

Abstract

Philosophical wisdom , some say , can only come from one 's contemporaries , which is to say that only someone who lives in a particular era can share anything of value about the beliefs , morals and customs of that generation . History , however , proves this completely false . An excellent example of this is the ancient philosopher Confucius , whose Analects , written 500 years before the time of Christ still hold value for the people of today . In this essay , several of these most profound Analects are quoted and discussed , in to not

only better understand those things which are most important even today but also to truly appreciate the wisdom of a man who could not possibly imagine the world in which we live today , but was wise enough to speak extensively about the values that still control it . With this in mind the overriding theme of each chosen Analect will be presented , along with a translated quote from Confucius ' actual words and a discussion of them

Propriety

To begin a discussion of that which is appropriate for civilized people , we first look at this quote from the Analects

The Master said "Respectfulness , without the rules of propriety

becomes laborious bustle carefulness , without the rules of propriety

becomes timidity boldness , without the rules of propriety , becomes

insubordination straightforwardness , without the rules of

propriety becomes rudeness "When those who are in high stations perform well all their duties to their relations , the people are aroused to virtue . When old friends

are not neglected by them , the people are preserved from meanness (Analects of Confucius With the above quote in mind , what can be said about propriety ? First what Confucius is trying to impress upon not only his generation but even those of us in the 21st century is that people have the responsibility to act properly in other words , it is not enough , or even proper to speak out against the wrongs of society without properly conducting one 's self , because without the proper approach , even the best intentioned messages become misunderstood because of the improper way they were conveyed . For Confucius , the way that something was communicated became as important , if not more so than the message itself

Humility

Although Confucius enjoys almost a mythical reputation in the modern day , he , if one is to believe the translations of the Analects was among the most humble of men , as shown by this quote

The Master said , The linen cap is that prescribed by the rules of

ceremony , but now a silk one is worn . It is economical , and I follow

the common practice . The rules of ceremony prescribe the bowing below the hall , but

now the practice is to bow only after ascending it . That is

arrogant . I continue to bow below the hall , though I oppose the common practice

There were four things from which the Master was entirely free . He

had no foregone conclusions , no arbitrary predeterminations , no

obstinacy , and no egoism (Analects of Confucius

This quote is actually...