Hello everyone, this is the next post in my series of commentaries on the Confucian Analects. In this article, I will discuss the first half of Book 2: Wei Chang. I have split any of the books with more than 20 segments in half, to keep from (1) Overwhelming readers, and (2) Overwhelming myself.
Here is the first half of my commentaries on Book 1: Wei Chang:
[Image Source: pixabay.com, License: CCO Public Domain]
Original text from the Public Domain Confucian Analects (from the 2013 edition of "The Art of War and Other Classics of Eastern Thought")
@cmp2020 original commentary
Wei Chang
I
The influence of virtue in a ruler
The Master said, "He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it."
This means that those who exercise government based on high moral standards are a beacon that all will look towards. This is essentially stating that a good leader does not alter their course, and is a role model towards others. Good examples of this would be the founding fathers, the writers of the US Constitution. They formed the American government with principles of the enlightenment, which are some of the highest moral values a leader can posses. Even now, hundreds of years later, their work inspires many people to live better, more free lives.
II
The pure design of the Book of Poetry
The Master said, "In the Book of Poetry are three hundred pieces, but the design of them all may be embraced in one sentence 'Having no depraved thoughts.'"
Art is designed to not be corrupt, to be free. An example of an artist who was not corrupt would be Franz Schubert, who was not recognized by the world for his talent until after death. He did not receive a large sum of money for his work, yet he wrote thousands of pieces. He wrote art to write art, rather than to earn money and respect. A poet that would also be a good example would be Emily Dickinson, who lived alone with her father, cut off from the world, until her death. Her poems would then be discovered, and released to the world.
III
How rulers should prefer moral appliances
- The Master said, "If the people be led by laws, and uniformity sought to be given them by punishments, they will try to avoid the punishment, but have no sense of shame."
- "If they be led by virtue, and uniformity sought to be given them by the rules of propriety, they will have the sense of shame, and moreover become good."
If laws are enforced by punishment, people will try to avoid being punished, but won't develop moral values about why breaking the law is wrong. If these laws are taught through leaders as virtue, the people will have a better sense of what is right and what is wrong. As a result, these people will be less likely to violate said laws. A good example of enforcement by punishment not being effective would be an invisible fence for a dog. A dog learns by being shocked not to cross certain boundaries in a yard, but should their collar be taken off, they will eventually learn that they can cross it. A good example of leading by virtue would be the upvote on Steemit. It enforces quality content by rewarding it, creating a better sense of quality work in authors, and an overall more euphoric user base.
IV
Confucious's own account of his gradual progress and attainments
- The Master said, "At fifteen, I had my mind bent on learning."
- "At thirty, I stood firm."
- "At forty, I had no doubts."
- "At fifty, I knew the decrees of Heaven."
- "At sixty, my ear was an obedient organ for the reception of truth."
- "At seventy, I could follow what my heart desired, without transgressing what was right."
Here, Confucius is saying that when he was fifteen, he learned the rules. At thirty, he continued to follow the rules, because he felt he had to. At forty, he began to clear his mind of any doubts that he had of the rules. At fifty, he began to apply the rules to the world around him. At sixty, he could use the rules to decipher the truth, and at seventy, he used the rules as he desired, not because he had to, but because he chose to. A good example of this from my life would be an event that happened with my private music theory teacher several weeks ago. I am currently studying second species counterpoint, which has very strict rules on how voices/harmonics progress. I said to my teacher "Why would you follow so many rules? Don't they restrict you more than help you?" He responded that he had the same thinking when he was younger, but he now sees counterpoint as a tool rather than rules that he has to follow. He can use counterpoint as a guide for writing a piece if he so chooses.
V
Filial piety must be shown according to the rules of propriety
- Mang I asked what filial piety was. The Master said "It is not being disobedient."
- Soon after, as Fan Ch'ih was driving him, the Master told him, saying, "Mangsun asked me what filial piety was, and I answered him-'not being disobedient.'"
- Fan Ch'ih said, "What did you mean?" The Master replied, "That parents, when alive, should be served according to propriety; that, when dead, they should be buried according to propriety; and that they should be sacrificed according to propriety."
To show devotion to your parents, you should not be disobedient, and be respectful. Another good example of this would be the commandment "Honor thy mother and thy father."
VI
The anxiety of parents about their children-an argument for filial piety
Mang Wu asked what filial piety was. The Master said, "Parents are anxious lest their children should be sick."
It is important to show devotion to your parents, because the rules and virtues your parents provide you with are meant to keep you healthy and safe.
VII
How there must be reverence in filial duty
Tsze-yu asked what filial piety was. The Master said, "The filial piety nowadays means the support of one's parents. But dogs and horses are likewise able to do something in the way of support-without reverence, what is there to distinguish the one support given from the other?"
Filial piety can mean supporting your parents. But it is possible to support something without actually meaning or aiming to. Therefore, filial piety is not just supporting your parents, but supporting them with the intent of supporting them. A good example of this would be the rich man who sends his parents a monthly check, and doesn't speak to them otherwise.
VIII
The duties of filial piety must be performed with a cheerful countenance
Tsze-hsia asked what filial piety was. The Master said, "The difficulty is with the countenance. If, when their elders have any troublesome affairs, the young take the toil of them, and if, when the young have wine and food, they set them before their elders, is THIS to be considered filial piety?"
For support to be filial piety (or parental devotion), you should be enthusiastic about supporting your parents, and not feel like it is a burden.
IX
The quiet receptivity of the disciple Hui
The Master said, "I have talked with Hui for a whole day, and he has not made any objection to anything I said-as if he were stupid. He has retired, and I have examined his conduct when away from me, and found him able to illustrate my teachings. Hui!-He is not stupid."
You are not stupid for deciding against questioning a mentor, or deciding to listen. You are stupid if you do not examine/try what they teach you, and decide for yourself. A good example of this would be piano lessons. You learn by repetition and practice, rather than questioning your mentor.
X
How to determine the characters of men
- The Master said, "See what a man does."
- "Mark his motives."
- "Examine in what things he rests."
- "How can a man conceal his character?"
- "How can a man conceal his character?"
To understand a man, examine what actions he takes. Then, question why he chose to take said actions and how he spends his time. Finally ask yourself why he would want to appear that way. A good example of where this character check would come in handy is when deciding if a politician is all they appear to be.
XI
To be able to teach others one must from his old stories be continually developing things new
The Master said, "If a man keeps cherishing his old knowledge, so as continually to be acquiring new, he may be a teacher of others."
The best way to teach others, is to get as much as you can out of the lessons that you already learned. I think of a scientist when reading this. Scientists are constantly re-examining what they have already discovered in the hopes of finding a new angle/approach.
XII
The general aptitude of the Chün-tsze
The Master said, "The accomplished scholar is not a utensil."
An acclaimed professional is not used by others, but makes the most out of themselves on their own terms. A good example of this would be a lawyer, who chooses which cases to accept, and which cases to decline based on their personal views.
Previous Posts
Confucian Analects
Book 1: Hsio R
Book 2: Wei Chang Part 1/2
Art of War Review
Part 6a: Weak Points and Strong
Part 6b: Weak Points and Strong
Part 7b: Maneuvering
Part 8: Variation in Tactics
Part 9a: The Army on the March
Part 9b: The Army on the March
Also remember to check for: My weekly 7 post, As well as my composer birthday posts
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