Confucianism

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Confucianism
The gentleman agrees with others without being
an echo. The small man echoes without being in
agreement. Analects 15.30 If one is guided by
profits in ones actions, one will incur much ill
will. Analects 14.24 Do not worry because you
have no position. Worry about your
qualifications. Do not worry because no one
appreciates your abilities. Seek to be worthy of
appreciation. Analects 4.14
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Confucius
Never kiss a fool, or be fooled by a kiss.
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The Life and Legacy of Confucius

• Born in 551B.C.E. to a noble but poor family.
• Confucius died in 479 B. C. E.
• Confucius was an exceptional student who later
  became a teacher and a government official.

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Three Schools of Thought

• Legalists Stern rule of law and harsh
  punishments
• Mohist universal love, even towards enemies.
• Taoist cared little about societal improvement
  and believed that the path to human happiness lay
  in the individualistic pursuit of harmony with
  nature.

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Human Qualities

• What is maturity?
• What is the highest human virtue?
• What is the best way to behave?
• How can one be a cultured person?
• How can one best govern?

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Confucian Virtues

• Tao the Universal Way
• Chun-tzu mature person - this person has such
  abundant virtures that he or she is able to
  contribute to the improvement of society.
• Jen supreme virtue perfect form of
  benevolence - doing ones best to treat others
  the way you would like to be treated.
• Li proper behavior behaving properly given
  the situation at hand.
• Wen a cultured person. Music, poetry, archery,
  calligraphy.
• Te- virtue shown through the power of example.

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Human Relationships

• Self the center of all relationships and is
  constantly changing and growing towards maturity.
• Family each person has a clear sense of place
  and purpose. Good behavior and respect for elders
  are important in the family.
• Government the leader has acquired the moral
  perfectionm needed to lead by the power of
  example.
• Heaven represents the ultimate moral force that
  guides and nurtures humanity.

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Confuciuss Solution

• Confuciuss solutions centered on human
  relationships and drew from the sages of ancient
  times.
• At the time of his death, Confucius was
  considered a failure.
• However, his influence in China and around the
  world continues to this day.

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The Analects of Confucius

• What the gentleman demands is something of
  himself. What the petty man demands is something
  of others.
• Anyone learning without thought is lost, anyone
  thinking but not learning is in peril.