The Major Philosophies Of Confucius's The Analects

Improved Essays
Register to read the introduction… It is a record of the conversations between Confucius and his disciples, which were later written down by his disciples. It is one of the major parts of Four Books. Confucius’s philosophies are based on the principle of good conduct, wisdom and proper social relationships. Confucius was the person who said that country should be ruled by moral values rather than with military powers. In the Analects Confucius says, “By nature men are pretty much alike; it is learning and practice that set them apart” (De Bary, Chan and Watson 23). This reflects Confucius’s character as a teacher. There is no good or bad man by birth. These are all acquired characteristics in a person’s lifetime, and education is the key point that makes a person different from another person. It is the knowledge that differentiates wise from unwise. …show more content…
In Confucianism, filial piety is one of the perfect virtues that a man should practice. It is the idea of humanity, which is based on serving one’s parents and respecting elders. In the Analects Confucius says, “Nowadays a filial son is just a man who keeps his parents in food. But even dogs or horses are given food. If there is no feeling of reverence, wherein lies the difference” (De Bary, Chan and Watson 27). Hence, a man should be filial to his parents inside his house and show reverence to his elders outside his house. This is the way to know to know the will of heaven. Heaven desires gentleman to do certain things and not to do others, and to follow the will of heaven family is the starting point. From family it spreads out to society, from society to country and from country to

Related Documents

  • Decent Essays

    In the Politics Book Plato, Sun Tzu, and Confucius are all examples of Mockingbirds because of what they do and how they do not get treated the way they treat others. Sun Tzu believed that "'A leader leads by example not by force.'"(31) Meaning that Sun Tzu is a very good leader to everyone he is around, he believes that a good leader should be able to lead without being forced. Sometimes Sun Tzu is victimized when he really shouldn't be because he is such a great leader. " 'What you know, you know, what you don't know, you don't know.…

    • 217 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Confucius’ mis-representation of the concept of chivalry portrays his lack of ethical understanding of the society around him. Certainly, Confucius’ and Lao Tzu’s ideologies have guided humanity’s roadmap since ancient history. Their long-lasting works have allowed people all over the world find the one truth that encompasses us all. The difference that promotes Lao Tzu’s teachings over Confucius, however, is the classification of people below or above us, the ultimate flaw in ethical…

    • 1076 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Confucianism and Confucianism, is the main system of thought in China; It was developed from the teachings of Confucius and his disciples, and had to do with the principles of good practice, the empirical wisdom and the own social relations. Confucianism has influenced the Chinese attitude toward the existence, setting the life patterns and patterns of social value, and providing the basis of political theories and Chinese institutions. From China it spread to Korea, Japan and Viet Nam, and in recent decades it has aroused interest among scholars of the West. Ethical principles of Confucianism, which should directed to perfection are: filial piety, linked to respect for the ancestors and the fidelity tradition and deference to superiors (zhongh): the equity that leads to respect for goods and social position of each which (yi).The way decent conduct, closely tied to ceremonies and the way of governing and restore social order (li).Passion or sympathy that leads to the rescue to the similar (ren).…

    • 421 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Confucianism Dbq

    • 1017 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Veneration and loyalty towards family members was a crucial component of the philosophy as well. Essentially, leaders were expected to set a good example, which would inspire moral righteousness throughout society. According to Document 1, “Filial piety and brotherly respect are the root of humanity.”…

    • 1017 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Religion constantly developed and changed due to trade between the two civilizations of Rome and China. Religion and its ideology influenced both Rome and China in many similar, yet different ways. Religion influenced the emperors/kings actions and their empires customs. Religious ideology determined the social hierarchy that the civilizations had. However, religion differed when it comes down to what deity or people would be worshipped.…

    • 509 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Rome And China Dbq Essay

    • 400 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Early civilizations, formed and shaped by their rulers and people, rely on their roots. Geography, people, agriculture, and religion all had an effect on the culture of early groups. Language, derived from thousands of years of oral evolvement, distinguishes the people all over the world to this day. This wide variety of components formed two of the early civilizations, Rome and China. However, specific impacts, religion, formed from respect for a supernatural, immortal deity, and religious ideology, the process of basing religion off of politics, left colossal influences on culture.…

    • 400 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    For this paper, I chose to read an excerpt from the Analects written by Confucius Kongfuzi circa 500 CE. I decided to provide a commentary on one of the excerpts from Confucius’ Analects because I was interested in learning one of the basic Confucian principles. In particular, I will be focusing on Confucius’ passage about jen (ren), meaning humaneness, because I took an interest in Confucius’ thoughts of how he believed humanity should act to better oneself and those nearby us. Confucians consider this text to be sacred as many of Confucius’ followers look to the Analects as the primary source of his teachings and views on how to live life. In 2014, Yiu-ming Fung wrote an article about the concept of jen and how some interpretations of the…

    • 302 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the East, particular within the great ancient Chinese civilizations, two very different kinds of point to view of being Human had come to flourish in the Chinese culture. Which till this very day influences the day by day tasks and challenges faced by many. On one side there is the world renowned teachings of Confucius (Kongzi) which talks of becoming the perfect society via men who become the perfect gentlemen that followed his teachings in his Analects. On the other side we have the life lessons and guides of another by the name of Laozi. Whose approach on life was drastically different compared to Kongzi’s perfect society, in which he preached the Dao (the way).…

    • 534 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Sima Qian A Confucian

    • 1196 Words
    • 5 Pages

    (Confucian Teachings, p 19). According to Confucius, Filial Piety is respecting your parents before and after their death. It is important to learn from your parents and “model yourself on the memory of their behavior” (Confucian Teachings, p 20). Confucius speaks on governing, he says “lead them by the means of virtue and regulate them through rituals and they will have a sense of shame and moreover have standards”…

    • 1196 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Confucius Argument Essay

    • 1086 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Traditional Chinese principles began to deteriorate, resulting in a period of moral decline (Confucius, 2015). Realizing that China was at its most vulnerable, he set out to strengthen society’s values of compassion and tradition. He choose to exercise self-discipline whole, primarily focusing on the principle of “ren’ or “loving others” (Confucius, 2015). Basically Confucius set out to create a system of social and political ethics based on loyalty, kinship, righteousness and filial piety. His teachings covered everything from how a man should at in his daily life to how one should govern.…

    • 1086 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Confucius is trying to say that a ruler can teach his subjects by knowing about the knowledge of the past but also keeping in touch with the knowledge of the present. A ruler must be a good teacher in order to be considered an effective ruler and to raise the society to the level of an essential…

    • 1639 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    He taught moral conduct and suggested the idea of what people would do and what is right to do. Confucius wanted his disciples to improve their human nature and characters through moral conduct. Among the disciples who succeeded to the philosophy of Confucius, Mencius and Xunzi are most famous and their theories have been studied until now because they argued the perfectly opposite philosophy and developed Confucianism. Mencius believed that people are born to be good and human nature is kind. His idea which is based on Confucius’ thoughts contains values that people should pursue and positive side of human nature.…

    • 1847 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Confucianism and Taoism are primeval Chinese religions. They were both philosophies, which began in China. Neither were proposed to be religions at the era though by tradition they have been treated as such by many adherents and scholars. It is very difficult to separate Chinese religions given that most exist simultaneously within each practice and beliefs. However, there are certain elements that make each religion stand out as its own.…

    • 777 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The founder Confucian created an up to date moral standard for their Chinese families. Family was the top propriety in their life and parents became glorified. The Chinese Confucianist would try to please their parents, respect them, and honor them because they are a product of them. their ethical teachings from Confucius, says that highest moral standing is giving to a individual who legitimately cares about others and displays it through their actions. His ethical teachings also inspired rulers to care more about the wellbeing of his people.…

    • 1142 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Confucius's The Analects

    • 738 Words
    • 3 Pages

    When the superior man is introduced in Confucius’s teachings, he is a person who uses wisdom to…

    • 738 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays