The way that Confucius (the divine sage of China) preached was the way of goodness, the way that was practiced by the kings of old.
The concept of a divine kingship prevailed in the far east, and along with it the belief that the welfare of the
state depended upon the performance of the king.
Though Confucius was a
person of public importance, he did not hold any high office.
Unhappy at the delay in implementing his ideas in his home province, Confucius travelled from state to state in search of a patron. Though his fame as a scholar preceded him, he and his followers generally met with a hostile reception.
The
analects of Confucius is one of the most important books in Chinese literature. Its contribution to the development of Chinese thought cannot be underestimated. The analects or selected sayings were compiled over a period of time, long after his death. Though the analects have been credited to one person (Confucius), they also include a number of traditional proverbs and sayings. Confucius also quotes from books that are now considered to be lost.
There are two main
interpretations of the analects of Confucius – the old and the new. The main purpose of the old interpretations was to make the text easy to understand. The new interpretations, on the other hand, were also influenced by the philosophies of Taoism and Buddhism. That is why the term “Neo-Confucianism” has been applied to them.
Confucius is not concerned with the practice of ritual, but with the general principles of
good conduct. Confucius
believed that education is an intrinsic part of the way, and that it must promote virtue. Confucius believed that when the way of the ancients prevailed, the people would be easy to rule. Confucius believed that the practice of virtue brought with it a moral force, as opposed to the mere application of physical force. Confucius preached the middle way, a way between extremes.
Confucius also believed that if the nobles set a good example, the people in turn will carry out their duties to their superiors. Confucius believed that a noble person must take the side of the righteousness, wherever he finds it. Confucius believed that unselfishness, kindness and gentleness must mark the behavior of good human beings.
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