The Analects

                                                The Analects

“It is perhaps the word “shu”. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.”(The Analects XV.24). Even though it is stated in the negative form of the golden rule, the idea of reciprocity is maintained.  Confucius’s way of thinking is basically stating treat yourself as you would treat others, in contrast other definitions of the golden rule ask you to treat other people the way you would want to be treated, never focusing on  how we treat ourselves, just how we would want others to treat us.  Confucius preached the idea of self-reflection, even saying “respect yourself and others will respect you” and “To attack evil as evil and not as evil of a particular man, is that not the way to reform the depraved.”(XII.21). It is this idea of self-respect and accountability that shows that we must become right within ourselves before we can have a benevolent attitude towards others.

        The model of the ideal person in Confucianism is the Gentleman, the gentleman is an example for his people and government through his ethical attitude and virtuous ways. The small man on the other hand doesn’t grasp the value of virtues and only does things for their immediate gain. “The Master said, “While the gentleman cherishes benign rule, the small man cherishes his native land. While the gentleman cherishes a respect for the law, the small man cherishes generous treatment” (Book IV.11). This statement by Confucius leads me to believe that both the small man and the gentleman are both men in a position of power, but while one man uses his position for what is morally right, “In his dealings with the world the gentleman is not invariably for or against anything. He is on the side of what is moral.”(Book IV.10), the other uses his position for his own personal gain. “The gentleman understands what is moral. The small man understands what is profitable.” (Book IV.16). Confucius thought that the gentleman would be a natural leader that the common man could follow and also be able to influence the small man.  “The virtue of the gentleman is like wind; the virtue of the small man is like grass. Let the wind blow over the grass and it is sure to bend.” Confucius has made the small man out to be a feeble-minded character, who is easily persuaded and is weak in his inner self. When talking about the dislikes of the gentleman Confucius states “He dislikes those whose resoluteness is not tempered by understanding” (Book XVII.24).  If the small man is easily persuaded by the gentleman, then he clearly he had no understanding of his cause and was not resolute. “The gentleman agrees with others without being an echo. The small man echoes without being in agreement.”(Book XIII.23) Confucius is saying here that the small man is practically the “yes man” he blindly agrees to any and everything like a drone, while the gentleman is able to cultivate his own ideas, disagree, and agree while providing an alternate view point. ‘‘The gentleman is at ease without being arrogant; the small man is arrogant without being at ease” (Book XIII.26) the gentleman ease of mind comes from the ability of self-examination “what the gentleman seeks, he seeks within himself; what the small man seeks, he seeks in others” (Book XV.21) self-examination is a key principle of the gentleman “when you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self” (Book IV.17) the small man though is likely to find faults in others and not even reflecting upon himself internally.”