Analects

This primary source includes excerpts from Analects which were written by the disciples of Confucius and the book of the Way and its Power by Lao (Laozi). Both authors are Ancient Chinese Philosophers who had different views and ideas about the foundations of government. The source shows the different views that both philosophers had and how their contending lessons offered territorial Chinese rulers a decision in political methods of insight. Confucius was a renowned wise and social scholar of…

being said, we do see some of these basic principles in our daily lives, but to truly understand these sayings, the readers must place themselves in the shoes of the men and women who lived in the time of Confucius. One of the popular themes in The Analects is Confucius’s view on government, and in this text he lays out a blueprint for a paternalistic authoritarianism through the way he explains an effective government, and through the way he explains an effective ruler. In this text,…

Sages in Today’s World In both Confucian and Daoism, the idea of a “sage”, is the ultimate title an individual can get in his/her life. Being called a sage, first and foremost, means one must fulfills the moral standards set by each philosophy idea. In Daoism, the way of being is more emphasized on individual’s state of mind, and in Confucian, the idea is focused on duty and position, individual’s relation to the whole society. The ideas are taught and spread by the voice the sages, as both…

Confucius is widely recognized as one of the most influential men of all time. He persevered through a very tough childhood. He worked extremely hard as an adult. His philosophy influenced and still influences billions of people. Confucius’ story, accomplishments, and his approach to life set him above many and have changed lives. Confucius, also known as Kong Qiu, was born during 551 BCE. At a very young age of three his father died, leaving his mother to care for him and his siblings. This…

compassion, or tz’u. “I have just three things to teach” says Lao Tzu, “simplicity, patience, compassion. These three things are your greatest treasures” (Tao Te Ching, ch. 5). “If one sets one’s heart on ren, there will be none he hates” say the Analects (4.4). This shared dedication to “human-heartedness” is at the core of both religions, however much they mock eachother. Also at the core of both is harmony.…

When people find that there world has become foreign and strange to them, they tend to react in one of two ways. They either try to change the present to match a time in the past when things were alright in their minds or they will try to push for new and revolutionary changes. In the Spring-Autumn period of China, 722-481 BCE, many people were finding themselves in this position as order seemed to be gone from China. Conflict was constant and especially violent and as time went on it only…

Confucius Analects explains that obedience to ones elders is the staple for a child’s character, “Being good as a son and obedient as a young man is, perhaps, the root of a man's character” (Confucius Disciple 1.2.). Also, in regards to the Confucius’ views on humanity the Analect 15:8 says "A resolute scholar and a man of humanity will never seek to live at the expense of injuring humanity. He would rather sacrifice his life in order to realize humanity" (Confucius Disciple). This Analect…

When people hear Confucius or Confucianism many may say they have never heard about him or they have heard about why is he important.The Golden Rule may sound more familiar to people. Confucius was an important educator and Chinese philosopher. Whose teachings of moral, social, political and philosophical behaviors in theory later became a foundation called Confucianism. Confucius is one of the few leaders who based their philosophy on the virtues that are required for the day-to-day living, his…

During his lifetime, Confucius was a teacher of history, a low and high-level public official and, in his later life, wandered for 12 years with a few of his disciples from place to place. Confucius described his own lifetime, as recorded in the Analects, 2:4: “At fifteen I set my heart on learning. At thirty, I was firmly established. At forty, I had no more doubts. At fifty, I knew the will of heaven. At sixty, I was ready to listen to it. At seventy, I could follow my heart’s desire without…

It is commonly considered that Ancient Greek is the origin and center of civilization in Europe, and China holds a similar position in East Asia. Aristotle played a significant role for Ancient Greek, and Confucius is highly emphasized in Ancient China. Many may think the two philosophies will confront each other as Europe and Eastern Asia have dissimilar historical development. The two views do have undeniable different views, but they are also comparable and supporting each other in some sense…