What do you understand by Confucius?s concept of the gentleman?

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Professor

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24 Nov 2010

The Concept of the Gentleman in The Analects

China is leading the world today . While most countries around the world are struggling with their economies , China is growing so fast that the Chinese government even has to cool it down . Western powers , including the United States are pressuring it to defer to Western self-interests but China continues to go forward , advancing its own interests without offending its trading partners too much . It maintains that most of its citizens are still poor , and while

the Western media is now calling China a superpower , it refuses to believe that it is so . This is all because of the modesty of Confucius , one of the greatest teachers who ever lived . He was a humble man who valued harmony in the self and society , and according to his teachings , harmony can only be attained if one acts like a gentleman . In order to become one , a person must develop and refine his or her character so that one properly fits in his or her role in society . This is what Confucius calls propriety . These roles include roles in the family : a son or daughter must practice filial piety towards his or her parents . The father and mother , of course , must also act properly . Then there are relationships with others . Some are political others are simple . These relationships may also be as acquaintances or as highly-developed friendships . Confucius links the harmony of these relationships to music . Just as several...