A Reflection On Confucius 's ' The World 's Wisdom '

Confucianism teaches that each person should accept his or her role in society. According to document number five, Confucianism became the basis of order and respect in China. It was central in governing China. The teachings of Confucius were even studied for civil service exams. Essentially, Confucius believed that younger people should show respect and obey anyone who was older, so respect your

Confucianism has been a part of Chinese culture for over a thousand years. Many who have studied Confucianism would say that it is not a religion. It is better described as a philosophy or moral code. The philosophy of Confucianism comes mainly from the speeches and writings of Confucius, a great Chinese thinker and educator. He believed that Humanity, Rite, Neutrality, Virtue, Education, and Cultivation were the basis of human behavior. In addition, Confucius felt that this philosophy was the best way for people to behave and interact with others in society.

In the Analects, the virtue of humanity centers around reverence, generosity, diligence, honesty, and kindness towards others. In seeking to attain each of these virtues, the goal is to become a true junzi, a gentleman (Confucius, Analects, 2). Men are thoroughly instructed upon how to deal with other people. They are treat everyone with kindness and righteousness (Confucius, Analects, 1). Reverence is to be shown to superiors, and harmony maintained with those not on his “level”. The dignity of a gentleman's actions are what gain him respect (Confucius, Analects, 1-2). He is to “expect” no more that what one is capable of in service, but to be “pleased” by nothing less than true following of “the Way” (Confucius, Analects,

For example, the Analects of government, sage, virtue, and manners give a sense of teachings and positive philosophies to follow in order to become a good ruler and obtaining and giving respect. While the Classics and ideals of popper conduct, political peace, moral power, love and ideal humanity help to reinforce the Analects by giving an ideology of a humanism. As Confucian gives words of wisdom of establish a community who should act only when necessary, use knowledge for the benefit of all, and to live in peace in order to developed a stronger culture. Confucius gives the Chinese people a focus on the cultivation of virtue and maintenance of ethics, creating a community of righteousness and moral disposition to do good and how one should act in a community. Overall, Confucianism is a source of values, the social code of the Chinese, and a substance of

Confucianism puts emphasis on relationships and social harmony, keeping the core humanistic, more focused on problems of ethics and society. It revolves around the pursuit of unity of the self and the Principle of “Heaven,” the cosmos, which overrule human efforts. Confucianism is often called rujiao, meaning “the teaching of the ru,” which is one who is conversant with the Heaven, Earth, and humans, the three domains of human knowledge. Then there is ren which is the collection of all essential human qualities. Confucianism regards the activities of human life as a manifestation of the sacred, because they are the expression of our mortal

Traditions & Encounters: Chapter 8, page 185: “Confucius emphasized personal qualities like ren, li, and xiao because he believed that individuals who possessed those traits would gain influence in the larger society...only through enlightened leadership by morally strong individuals was there any hope for the restoration of political and social order in China” This quote demonstrates the main three principles that Confucianism was based upon are what Confucius believed would better society. These principles would create a stronger government, leading to better policies, and a stronger sense of unity in the people.

“He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.” - Confucius

According to Reid, a few of the major “Confucianism” ethos and practices involve ‘Ren’, ‘yi’ and ‘li’ which represents the concept of ‘altruism’ along with clear depiction of the humanness for other individuals (Reid 29-66).

Many of these philosophies have been repeated through the ages, such as Jesus teachings of the golden rule “do unto others as you would like them to do unto you” (bible Luke 6:31). Confucius was a man who strived to be a public servant, but other than a few opportunties he was mostly unsuccessful, although still respected. He became a tutor and like many great men, the height of his recognition was not during his lifetime. Even though Confucianism is not a religion, on the basis that it lacks a higher being or God, it is more than just a moral compass to follow. Confucius philosophies have proven to be a set of values that have served East Asia invaluably We can all learn from the concept of Jen, or human goodness, that tells us that there is a basic good in everyone. From the concept of Chun tzu, or the Mature Person, Confucius shows us how a person should behave, respectful, relaxed and someone that others look up to. “Only as those who make up society are transformed into chun tzus can the world move toward peace” (Reid

     Confucius’s counsel and guidance recorded in The Analects instilled wisdom when they were first recorded and continue to provide a thought provoking analysis of life and the checkpoints that guide it. The Master’s commentary on restraint, diligence, decency, and citizenship are well intended and relevant. Politics and the role of government also come under scrutiny as Confucius offers his insights in bettering the organization of power. His proverb-like admonitions use clear examples of everyday life allowing them to be understood and easily digested. Confucius’s own eagerness and willingness to share goodness he experienced makes it easier to apply and practice in one’s own life.

Confucianism is one of the main influential ideologies on the Chinese culture. The founder of this religion is Confucius; he was a Chinese teacher. He taught traditional disciplines at that time, and believed that he could change the order of the Chinese society. He has different principals in life. First, Li: “It is the medium within which to talk about the entire body of the mores, or more precisely, have the authentic tradition and reasonable conversations of society” . In other words, li is the social rituals between people and they are divided into different categorized relationships like father and son, filial piety, between brothers, husband and wife; Ruler and subjects, and between friends. The Second principal was Jen, which is humaneness; it describes the inner personality of a person and that people should practice respect to one another. Li and Jen are values that complete each other to create the superior man, according to the Confucius. Also, Confucius believed in the spirits but keeping them at a distance. There are Five Classics and the Four Books are regarded as a reference for Confucianism.

Confucius, who lived from 551-479 BCE, was a Chinese philosopher, teacher, and politician. Confucius had written a set of books or ideas and concepts called The Analects. These were different collections of sayings that Confucius had written to reflect his ideas about different things like politics, family, morality, and many more. Confucius is also the creator of the commonly used “Golden Rule” of “do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.” Through his teachings, books, and his followers, the philosophy of Confucianism was created. In Doctrine of the Mean, Confucius explains how to perfect oneself and how to become a morally righteous person. He explains how one must maintain a balance into a constant state of equilibrium.

These relationships are upheld to create a mutual respect and trust between the people involved. The five Confucian virtues are Ren/Jen (Humanness), Shu (Reciprocity), Li (Propriety), Wen (Culture), and Xiao (Filial Piety). The virtues are used as a way instill social harmony. It is ultimately the goal to create a Junzi/ Chun tzu, or the “ideal personality”, which is referred to as the ideal human being. Taoism has the main teachings of Tao, wu wei (or effortlessness), simplicity, gentleness, and relativity. Tao, which is recognized in Confucianism as well, has many meanings and can be translated as “existence,” “pattern,” and “process.” Wu wei recommends that one must not seek unnecessary actions. Simplicity, as it sounds, urges to eliminate the artificial from our lives and to embrace what nature grants us; because of simplicity, they prefer not to seek out unnecessary higher education unlike Confucianism. Gentleness shows that a wise person does not seek violence. And finally, relativity teaches that one must not use a limited view point based on their own concerns. Thusly, Confucianism preaches the importance of upholding one’s relationships with others; meanwhile, Taoism advocates a harmonious, natural, and peaceful universe.

Confucius created a system of thinking called Confucianism. If only one word could be used to summarize the Chinese way of life for the last two thousand years, that word would be Confucian. No other person has had as great an effect on the life and thought of the Chinese people as Confucius. He is the most adored person in Chinese history. Confucius claimed no greatness, instead he looked to a past time that he saw as the golden age. He told one of his disciples, "I transmit but I do not create. I am sincerely fond of the ancient. I would compare myself to Old P'eng who was fond of talking about the good old days." Confucius was a transmitter of the wisdom of the past. From his study of Chinese tradition, he gathered the

When looking at the ideas of Confucianism, one must look at the values that he expresses that are essential to human beings in order to become gentleman. Some of these values are present in every society and in every country. Ideas like jen and the Golden Rule are indispensable to life in almost every society on the globe.