The Analects By Confucius
Confucianism is a code of conduct that constitutes the most important single force in traditional Chinese life.
It is a guide to morality and good government and to sincerity in personal life and public conduct.
Confucius' teachings and journeys were collected in a book called the Analects of Confucius.
The sage's two most important concepts were Li and Jen.
Li can be translated as rites, ceremony, or etiquette.
Jen means benevolence or kindness.
It stresses the virtues of self-discipline and generosity.
Be strict with yourself, but be benevolent towards others.
Confucius believed that if mankind practiced Li and Jen,
then all social discord would be replaced with order.
SECTION 2.
Part 9
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The subjects of which the Master seldom spoke were-profitableness, and also the appointments of Heaven, and perfect virtue.
A man of the village of Ta-hsiang said, "Great indeed is the philosopher K'ung!
His learning is extensive, and yet he does not render his name famous by any particular thing".
The Master heard the observation, and said to his disciples, "What shall I practice?
Shall I practice charioteering, or shall I practice archery?
I will practice charioteering".
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.
The Master was put in fear in K'wang.
He said, "After the death of King Wan, was not the cause of truth lodged here in me?
If Heaven had wished to let this cause of truth perish, then I, a future mortal!
should not have got such a relation to that cause.
While Heaven does not let the cause of truth perish, what can the people of K'wang do to me"?
A high officer asked Tsze-kung, saying, "May we not say that your Master is a sage?
How various is his ability"!
Tsze-kung said, "Certainly Heaven has endowed him unlimitedly.
He is about a sage.
And, moreover, his ability is various".
The Master heard of the conversation and said, "Does the high officer know me?
When I was young, my condition was low, and I acquired my ability in many things, but they were mean matters.
Must the superior man have such variety of ability?
He does not need variety of ability.
Lao said, "The Master said, 'Having no official employment, I acquired many arts.
The Master said, "Am I indeed possessed of knowledge?
I am not knowing.
But if a mean person, who appears quite empty-like, ask anything of me, I set it forth from one end to the other, and exhaust it".
The Master said, "The Fang bird does not come; the river sends forth no map:-it is all over with me"!
When the Master saw a person in a mourning dress, or any one with the cap and upper and lower garments of full dress,
or a blind person, on observing them approaching, though they were younger than himself, he would rise up, and if he had to pass by them, he would do so hastily.
Yen Yuan, in admiration of the Master's doctrines, sighed and said, "I looked up to them, and they seemed to become more high;
I tried to penetrate them, and they seemed to become more firm; I looked at them before me, and suddenly they seemed to be behind.
The Master, by orderly method, skillfully leads men on.
He enlarged my mind with learning, and taught me the restraints of propriety.
When I wish to give over the study of his doctrines, I cannot do so, and having exerted all my ability,
there seems something to stand right up before me; but though I wish to follow and lay hold of it, I really find no way to do so".
The Master being very ill, Tsze-lu wished the disciples to act as ministers to him.
During a remission of his illness, he said, "Long has the conduct of Yu been deceitful!
By pretending to have ministers when I have them not, whom should I impose upon?
Should I impose upon Heaven?
Moreover, than that I should die in the hands of ministers?
CHINA BIRDS.
