The analects (Lun yü)

Though many do not happen to be acquainted with Confucianism, especially when we are partaking a western point of view, many of us have directly or indirectly been confronted with one of Confucius’s most well known quotes and that is:


“Don't do unto others what you don't want done unto you.”

― Confucius


Now it would be more correct if we said that this quote was attributed to Confucius rather than properly pronounced by him.
“The Analects” though most of the times attributed to the authorship of Confucius, or Kong Fuzi if you would rather use a non latinized name, are speculated by many modern scholars to be an amalgamation of writings done not only by his disciples but also by the disciples of those that preceded him.

Confucianism has left an ever-present mark in Chinese culture and consequently is also pronounceable in many of the nations that have been influenced by the ideals and rites of the Chinese empire, but what is Confucianism actually at its core? I fear I cannot give you a quick and fortified answer to said question, the debates are still ongoing, many are still unsure whether or not we should even categorize Confucianism with our current academic vocabulary due to its inherent inadequacy to deal with non-western ideas.

Many insist that Confucianism should be labeled as a Religion, others as a Philosophy and one can still find groups of people that do not even go as far as regarding Confucianism as a Philosophy, seeing its teachings as a simple moral-guiding manual (I personally could not disagree more with this point of view, in my opinion philosophy should not only deal with questions concerning that which is beyond the material present but should also serve as a guide to the common human being in order to pursue a certain form of life).

There is much that I could address in this review and yet I do not find that one read is enough for me to truly delve into the more complex topics discussed in the rather scarce number of pages that constitute this collection of aphorisms and anecdotes, but I shall attempt to glaze over some of the ideas that peaked my interest.

The categories of men and the Way

You would perhaps be surprised to discover that a man like Confucius, someone that has left such a mark in history, influenced countless generations and even came to be revered in Chinese temples, was not necessarily as “successful” as we expect him to be during his lifetime.

Confucius lived during a tumultuous period in regard to governance and stability, one of his main duties was to prepare young men for public office, and reflected upon his teachings we can clearly discern his wish for a stable nation governed and stabilized by those that not only took his instructions into account, but also actualized them into reality.

If you are searching for a book with clear cut definitions for each of its core ideas than I fear this work isn’t the most appropriate for your next read, most of the themes discussed in this collection are defined through an amalgamation of aphorisms and many a times are defined in relation to each other rather than as individually clear labels.

For example, the gentleman is the opposite of the small man, while the gentleman is someone who is guided by the Way, the small man is not guided so.

The Way is a crucial element in Confucianism and it is stressed many times throughout the book that once the government is guided by the Way the people shall find themselves in harmony and stability, governmental positions should be taken by those that possess the capacity to fulfill their assigned roles, a nation that is governed by those whose names are seen as more valuable than their talents and capacities is a nation doomed to not be fit of following the Way, and therefore fall into chaos and disharmony.

Error, self-cultivation, study of antiquity and more time

One of the facets of life that we must cultivate according to Confucius is that of the study of not only antiquity but also that of music and the rites, he underlines many a times the necessity of study and discovery in order to attain a cultivated mind, being one of my favorite quotes the one that follows:

“The Master said: I am not one who knew things at birth, I am one who through my admiration of antiquity is keen to discover things.”

He also stresses that schooling for the sole purpose of a salary is not virtuous, referencing quite recurrently his wish of continuing his study beyond his elder years, he did not see himself fit to answer various important questions at the age of 50 despite his arduous devotion to learning, which in my opinion is but a proof of the corruption and decay present in our modern understanding of time limitations related to when we should or should not continue our pursue of knowledge.

Applications of knowledge and eloquence

Another relevant factor discussed in many of the aphorisms present in the text, beyond that of the importance of attainment of knowledge through study, is that of the application of such wisdom upon the real world through our personal actions.

Confucius believed that knowledge for knowledge’s sake, though valuable, does not contribute to the realization of the Way, one must not only read about virtuous deeds and the righteous way of conducting oneself, one must also apply said wisdom into our actions and consequently affect our surroundings under the Heavens.

Eloquence is sometimes seen with a flicker of disdain by Confucius, though he recognizes the importance of eloquence he also recognizes the ways in which it can be instrumentalized by those with malicious and wicked intentions.

Eloquence alone, without the guiding of the Way, or the righteousness of the gentleman is nothing but an ungovernable tool in the hands of the many.

Humanness

I wish I could say that I truly understood what Confucius meant by humanness after having read through approximately 90 pages of it being nearly constantly mentioned, but I would be lying.

But to put it rather bluntly I believe it can be interpreted as the pursuit and manifestation of humane characteristics and ideal qualities according to Confucianism.



There are many more possible ideas to be discussed according to this work such as Culture, Tradition, Virtues, Loyalty, Understanding, Ritual, Heaven, Filial piety and the relation between the Governors and the Governed, but I currently do not find the energy within myself to discuss them all.

One thing that I found quite funny while reading the book is that I began to read in Zhongli’s voice while retracing most of the phrases in my head. If you wish to understand his character on a deeper level then I genuinely recommend you give this book a try.

Perhaps once I am able to sit in my local park and meditate upon every single one of these layered facets of Confucianism I shall write about them and share them with you all, but alas that moment does not happen to be taking place

If you made it to the end then I hope you know I recognize your courage for having survived my disorganized thoughts and grammatical atrocities, I have nothing to give you but my distinct round of applause, I ceremoniously lift my hat in your regard.