Preview

Passages from the Analects of Confucius

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1661 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Passages from the Analects of Confucius
Glen Szabo

Intro. To Eastern Philosophy

Paper 1: Confucius

128. Confucius said: "If your words are grand, you will find that it is difficult for your actions to measure up to them." [14.21] This passage appears on page 14 in the text in the section on words and actions.

The point that Confucius is trying to make here is that speaking in an exaggerated manner of yourself or your deeds is just as easy as speaking of them in any other way. But it is much harder to actually perform lofty actions than it is to perform relatively less difficult ones. Hence, it is considerably more functional to speak mildly of yourself or your actions if you intend uphold your statements in practice. Further, if you rarely speak, or even do not speak at all, your deeds and actions will generally always exceed your statements. In this same section on words and actions from the Analects, Confucius even says, "I wish I could avoid speaking." (130). This shows that he prefers letting his actions speak entirely for themselves. Also, in this same section again on words and actions, Confucius says, "The ancients were reluctant to speak, fearing that their actions would not measure up to their words."(126). In saying this, Confucius further buttresses his tendency of ‘less talk, more action ' by referring to practice of the ancients, or those he carries great respect for. Obviously, Confucius rested great importance upon being humble, particularly in the case of what he said.

In thinking of this passage, I very much share the same attitude as Confucius. I feel that actions speak louder than words, because it takes the same amount of energy to utter highly self-flattering statements as it does to speak precisely of your actual abilities. The end result is self-defeat if someone is in the habit of exaggerating his or her words. Moreover, I feel an innate respect for a person whose actions are regularly surpassing their comments, because it shows their modesty. Confucius



Bibliography: Crong,George.Readings in Eastern Philosophy.Hewett.New York City,N.Y.1994.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Assignment 5 Price

    • 1866 Words
    • 6 Pages

    To Confucius, good people lived good lives, which in turn caused good societies to be formed from the deeds of these individuals. He believed that education should focus on shaping individuals into good people; people with “virtue and excellence”. One of his ideas, called ren, is directly translated into “human excellence”, “benevolence” and “love”. According to Confucius ren is not something that is inherent in every individual, however, humans are able obtain ren through cognitive thinking and effort. Confucius believes that every person has certain qualities inside of them that can make them good. For instance he believed that every individual possessed wisdom, kindness, respect and piety.…

    • 1866 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow” (31).…

    • 712 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lao Tzu Critical Lens

    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages

    This quote can be interpreted as saying that one who understands and has control over themselves is the most powerful individual. A person might be physically strong enough to defeat someone in battle, but when faced with a personal or internal problem, they will not be able to overcome it since they don't understand themselves enough to deal with the issue. Lao Tzu is saying that people who fully understand themselves enough to overcome their problems and defeat the internal obstacles that stand in their way are more powerful individuals than those who do not, even though they might be stronger in a physical or other sense.…

    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us." (18)…

    • 1315 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Confucius believed that the Ideal Person should live according to the principles of Jen, Li, and Yi, Chih, and Hsin. These five principles are also known as the Five Virtues. Confucius believed if people followed these virtues in their daily living that they were working towards the perfection that was already inside them. Jen means to live with goodwill and sympathy towards other people. Jen also includes being generous and polite to others. Yi means to respect your position towards others and towards nature. Li means practicing expressing the person’s inner attitude through their outward expressions. Chih means wisdom. By demonstrating Jen,…

    • 531 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Translation: Do not fear greatness (success). Some are born great (power through family succession), some achieve greatness (through hard work), and some have greatness thrust upon them (and outside for aided in granting the success, whether or not the now “great” being wished for it or not).…

    • 582 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Confucianism Dbq Essay

    • 800 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Confucius believed that a peaceful society occurred “when all people acted properly based on their roles with others” (Source #1.) To add on, he believed that people should respect and obey those above them. One of Confucius’s goals was “to bring people to a virtuous way of life” (Source #2.) In other words, Confucius didn’t believe in using military power or punishments per Source #4. However, his philosophy does take some actions and doesn’t just let things be. Per Source #3, Confucius said, “People need to treat each other as they would like to be treated.” Using Confucianism would not only inspire students to act properly, but chances are, everyone would be kinder to one another if they used the treat others how you wish to be treated saying in all their actions. Also, students who do a small wrong deed won’t be severely punished, but some action will be taken, just enough to tell the student to stop. To wrap up, Confucianism is the middle pathway to run a…

    • 800 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Confucius strongly believed that the way of life was to maintain the best relationships possible with everyone you met. !…

    • 979 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    One way this quote shows in today's society is with the presidential elect Trump. He has many strengths and weaknesses. He will be pushed out of his comfort zone. He is a very excellent business man but he has a temper problem. He lashes out on people when they don't agree with him, or if they criticize him. When he takes office on January 20th, 2017 he will be faced with many problems. People want recognize him for the things he has done his whole life but when he does stuff that he has no experience with. People want to see him get…

    • 483 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Confucius’ ideas arise only a short time before Lao Tzu explains his beliefs. According to the Confucian teachings, people are capable of being taught and changed as long as they are taught the right way. The things people should be taught are things such as being virtuous and acting on what they teach while also keeping a healthy sense of morals and being aware of and willing to help other individuals in need. Confucius believes that each person should be held accountable for his actions in each field. This belief is supported by the fact that he thinks that the government should “lead [people] by means of virtue and regulate them through rituals [so that] they will have a sense of shame and moreover have standards” (“Confucian Teachings” paragraph 51). He believes that each person has the capacity to excel at each endeavor because societies were made to work in…

    • 1399 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Laozi Inspirational Quote

    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Another reason this quote has merit is that it talks about how internalized thoughts can become words and then actions. This is present when the author says, "Watch your thoughts, for they become words." This simple truth is impactful on the reader and can cause reflection on one's own thoughts. This part of the quote also influences positive thinking which will lead to positive behavior. For this reason this quote holds water even today.…

    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Confucious

    • 957 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Reading Questions 1. What, according to Lau, is the most fundamental message of Confucius? What Confucius taught that set him apart from teachings of the past and even of the future, was that living a life with moral conviction was to be done for the sake of the morals themselves. This is to say that rewards for ones morality in the afterlife was, according to Confucius, not to be sought after. He said that the, “burden is heavy and the road is long.” The good you do in this life is meant for this life only and is crucial to demonstrate.…

    • 957 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Analects of Confucius

    • 722 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Analects of Confucius, a collection of sayings and ideas of Confucianism, was compiledby the followers of Confucius mostly in the form of dialogues. The last chapter, “[Emperor] Yao Said,” is the briefest chapter in the book. One school of thought holds that it is just a collection of leftovers. I come from the school of thought that the last chapter concludes Confucius’s theme of politics as well as philosophy with an inseparable connection with the other chapters in the analects.…

    • 722 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    L1. Be able to explore how communication skills are used in health and social care…

    • 516 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Confucius

    • 725 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Confucius believed that the problem with government and society was caused by a lack of virtue. Confucius considered gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness all virtuous. 
According to Confucius if you are a hermit you cannot be virtuous. He argued that if you are virtuous, people will be attracted to you willing to provide you with help and information, and happily follow orders. Confucius even went as far as to say virtue is never solitary it always has neighbors (Analects; 4:25). Confucius would say living virtuous is the best way because it would help you live a fulfilling and righteous life.…

    • 725 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics