Phrases and utterances of Confucius - the Chinese sage

Sayings of Confucius - the famous Chinese sage and philosopher - are known far beyond the Celestial Empire. Many people who have not read not only the originals, but translations of his creations, nevertheless believe that almost everyone knows about him. "As the old Confucius said, the best new is the old one," claimed one of the Soviet poets. The fashion for the so-called "Europeanized Confucianism" does not pass since the eighteenth century. But do we understand the ideas of this philosopher well enough? What do scientists say about him? Let's figure out what contribution to the culture of mankind was made by the phrases of Confucius.

Who was he?

The biography of this sage in itself can serve as an illustration of a kind of 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.

Since childhood he lived in poverty together with his mother, who told him about his famous ancestors. He also tried to make a political career and educate the children of the nobility, but failed due to career rivalry and envy. Therefore, many of the later statements of the Chinese sage Confucius are devoted to ancient mores, which the philosopher idealized. He believed that in previous eras people were different. For example, they studied in order to improve themselves. Now they are gnawing a granite of science to surprise others and show themselves, but in reality they are dummies.

About Beauty

It is also believed that the founder of the doctrine of the unity of ethics, politics and ritualism, known to the whole world, was not very lucky with his appearance: he was tall, with a strangely shaped head and inclined to fullness. Apparently, this very much wounded him, because many of the phrases of Confucius are devoted to the dichotomy between good and nobility on the one hand, and a pleasant appearance on the other. "People with an attractive appearance are extremely rarely humane," he believed. In addition, sadly, many like beauty, while they should be honored. After all, humanity ("jen") is what the present, due in us. And it depends on us whether it will go through us or not.

Confucius: "Conversations and Sayings"

Just like from Socrates, from the Chinese philosopher almost no original text has reached us, with the exception of the chronicle of one of the regions of the country called "Spring and Autumn". True, he is credited with the authorship of many works, and even the editing of famous books - "Songs" and "Changes". However, his disciples, whom the philosopher had a huge number, compiled after his death a collection called "Lun yu" ("Conversations and Sayings"), where in the form of aphorisms and comments to them the political, social and ethical teachings of the sage are stated. This work can be called a sacred book of followers of the philosopher, although his teaching is considered non-religious. He believed that a real learned man should not waste his time studying supernatural phenomena.

Confucius's Man's Sayings

What should be people according to the philosopher's conviction? A person who honors his parents, loyal 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." A lot of Confucius's statements are devoted to the characterization of this type of personality. A person makes himself and is responsible for whether he will remain a savage or will follow a moral vocation. If he follows the principle of "jen", he will be guided by the love of others and sympathy. However, he must understand the difference between what he can do and where Pass the limits of its capabilities, and in all respect the balance. A noble husband, as the philosopher thought, unlike a man of the lowest, is serene and lives in harmony with others, but does not follow them blindly. He tries not to compete with others and not conspire behind their backs. He can strive for wealth and fame, but only if all this can be achieved honestly. In his mistakes, he blames himself and is able to confess to them in public. A noble husband is waiting for the opportunity to fulfill the will of Heaven and his duty, and the low man only watches his luck in a cowardly and bustling manner.

About nature and upbringing

Numerous statements of Confucius are devoted to how exactly from natural inclinations it is possible to "fashion" a worthy person. All of us, as the sage believed, have natural inclinations that bring us together. And now, according to habits and customs acquired, we begin to move away from each other. But here you also need to balance. After all, if natural inclinations prevail over the cultivation of man, then nothing but a savage will come of it. And vice versa, in the case when the training completely eclipses nature, a resonator and a scribe will turn out. Therefore, a real educated and noble person must balance the natural and Acquired. However, when teaching other people, you should not build illusions. We need to work with those who can clearly express themselves about the most intimate, and has enough imagination to see the corner of the square, imagine the other three.

About Debt

The most striking statements of Confucius describe the most valuable virtue for him. This adherence to duty, without which no foundations of society are possible. No matter how noble a man a man is, he must fulfill this moral obligation. Since his duty is the path of truth, he must follow and not worry about anything else - neither about poverty nor about food. To test yourself you should only communicate with virtuous people, and then much will fall into place. The absence of a sense of duty prevents a noble husband - without him he can become a rebel. To follow this difficult path, there are three ways. One of them is the noblest (these are reflections). The second, the easiest, is imitation of a virtuous man. And the bitterest of them is their own experience.

Summing up his life, the philosopher notes that in his youth he aspired to study, at the age of thirty he became an independent person. When he was forty, doubts left him. He understood the debt and will of Heaven at fifty. At sixty, the ability to distinguish between lies and truth has come. And already in deep old age he began to follow the call of the heart. These are the words of Confucius - an amazing man who knows how to teach us from the depths of the ages.