The sayings of Confucius - the famous Chinese sage and philosopher - are known far beyond the Middle Kingdom. Many people who have not read not only the originals, but also translations of his creations, nevertheless believe that they know almost everything about him. “As old Confucius said, the best new is the old,” claimed one of the
Soviet poets. The fashion for the so-called “Europeanized Confucianism” has not passed since the eighteenth century. But do we understand the ideas of this philosopher well enough? What do scholarly books say about him? Let's look at what contribution the phrases of Confucius made to the culture of mankind.
Who was he?
The biography of this sage in itself can serve as an illustration of a peculiar ethical stoicism. He came from a noble and glorious family, but the vicissitudes of fate turned the ancestors of the future philosopher into fugitives, forced to wander in a foreign land.
From childhood, he lived in poverty with his mother, who told him about famous ancestors. He also tried to make a political career and educate the children of the nobility, but failed because of career rivalry and envy. Therefore, many of the later sayings of the Chinese sage Confucius are devoted to ancient customs, which the philosopher idealized. He believed that in past eras, people were different. For example, they studied in order to improve themselves. Now they are gnawing at the granite of science in order to surprise others and show themselves, but in reality they are dummies.
About beauty
They also believe that the world-famous founder of the doctrine of the unity of ethics, politics and ritualism was not very lucky with his appearance - he was tall, with a strange-shaped head and inclined to fullness. Apparently, this greatly aggravated him, because many phrases of Confucius are devoted to a dichotomy between good and nobleness on the one hand, and good looks on the other. “People with attractive looks are extremely rare human,” he believed. In addition, sadly, many love beauty, while they should honor the good. After all, humanity ("jen") is that which is present, due in us. And it depends on us whether she will hatch in us or not.
Confucius: "Conversations and utterances"
Just like from Socrates, almost a single original text has not reached us from the Chinese philosopher , with the exception of the annals of one of the country's regions called "Spring and Autumn." True, he is credited with authorship of many works, and even editing of famous books - “Songs” and “Changes”. However, his students, whom the philosopher had a huge number, compiled after his death a compilation called “Lun yu” (“Conversations and Statements”), where political, social and ethical doctrine of the sage is presented in the form of aphorisms and comments on them. This work can be called the holy book of the followers of the philosopher, although his teaching is considered irreligious. He believed that a real pundit should not waste his time studying supernatural phenomena.
Sayings of Confucius about a man
What should be the people according to the philosopher? A person who respects parents, faithful and loyal to power can become the basis of a harmonious society. But this is not enough. For true self-improvement, he must become a "noble husband." The characterization of this type of personality is devoted to many of the statements of Confucius. A man makes himself and is responsible for whether he will remain a savage or follow a moral vocation. If he follows the principle of "Ren", he will be guided by love for others and sympathy. However, he must understand the difference between what he is able to do and where
go beyond the limits of his capabilities, and in all respect balance.
The noble husband, as the philosopher believed, unlike the low man, is serene and lives in harmony with others, but he should not blindly follow them. He is trying not to compete with others and not to conspire behind them. He can strive for wealth and glory, but only if all this can be achieved in an honest way. He blames himself for his mistakes and is able to admit to them publicly. A noble husband is waiting for the opportunity to fulfill the will of Heaven and his duty, and the low man only cowardly and fussy observes luck.
About nature and education
Numerous statements by Confucius are devoted to how it is possible to “fashion” a worthy person from natural inclinations. We all, as the sage believed, have natural inclinations that bring us together. And now, according to acquired habits and customs, we begin to move away from each other. But here you must balance. Indeed, if natural inclinations will prevail over man’s manners, then nothing but a savage will come of him. And vice versa, in the case when learning completely eclipses nature, we get a resonator and a scribe. Therefore, a real educated and noble person must strike a balance between the natural and
acquired. However, teaching other people is not worth building illusions. It is necessary to work with those who can speak quite clearly about the innermost, and have enough imagination to see the other three, having seen the corner at the square.
About duty
The most vivid sayings of Confucius describe the most valuable virtue for him. This is the following of duty, without which no foundations of society are possible. No matter how noble a man a man may be, he must fulfill this moral duty. Since his duty is the path of truth, you need to follow it and not worry about anything else - neither about poverty, nor about food. To test yourself, you should only communicate with virtuous people, and then a lot will fall into place. The lack of a sense of duty prevents a noble husband - without him, he could become a rebel. There are three ways to follow this difficult path. One of them is the noblest (these are reflections). The second, easiest, is imitation of a virtuous person. And the most bitter of them is their own experience.
Summing up his life, the philosopher notes that in his youth he strove for study, at thirty he became an independent person. When he was forty, doubts left him. He understood the duty and will of Heaven at fifty. At sixty, the ability to distinguish between falsehood and truth came. And already in old age, he began to follow the call of his heart. These are the statements of Confucius - an amazing person who knows how to teach us from the depths of eras.