Main contents
August 31st, 2008
“He, who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own”
The Chinese origin of the famous Confucius saying: “He, who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own”
One of my readers recently asked me to clarify the origin of the popular Confucius saying: “He, who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own”.
The origin is the following passage in the Analects, Book 6 Chapter 28 (or 30, depending on edition used):
“He, who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own”
The classic translation of this passage by James Legge reads as follows:
1. Tsze-kung said, “Suppose the case of a man extensively conferring benefits on the people, and able to assist all, what would you say of him? Might he be called perfectly virtuous?” The Master said, “Why speak only of virtue in connection with him? Must he not have the qualities of a sage? Even Yao and Shun were still solicitous about this.
2. “Now the man of perfect virtue, wishing to be established himself, seeks also to establish others; wishing to be enlarged himself, he seeks also to enlarge others.
3. “To be able to judge of others by what is nigh in ourselves;¡V this may be called the art of virtue.”
Legge VI.28.
For a German translation, please check:
http://www.konfuzius.net/?p=89
Posted in Confucius, Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 25th, 2008
China says “Thanks, foreign Coaches” of its Olympic team with famous Confucius quote
China Daily today thanked all 38 foreign coaches working with the Chinese Olmpic athletes by using the famous saying of Confucius:
-quote-
“How happy it is to welcome friends from afar” was not just a quotation from Confucius, the great Chinese sage of 2,500 years ago. Nor was it just a slogan displayed in lights at the Olympics opening ceremony.
It has been daily practice in Chinese sports, and never have the results been as impressive as they are now.
-unquote-
URL:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/2008-08/24/content_6965666.htm
Posted in Confucius, Lunyu, News, Olympia | No Comments »
July 30th, 2008
What is “left Confucianism”?
The online edition of the Daily Times (Pakistan) has published an essay by Daniel A Bell, professor of political theory at Tsinghua University Beijing, titled: “comment: What’s left of Confucianism?”
In this essay, Bell sets his concept of “Left Confucianism” apart from the tradional “State Confucianism” of the Chinese Empire. He sees it as a way of going back to the original Confucian doctrines of Confucius, Mencius, and Xunzi, the “original Confucianism”, as yet untinted by Legalism and centuries or rule. In his eyes, this concept of “left Confucianism” is a concept that apart from moral values also offers ideas for the future development of the Chinese state and his institutions, based on China’s past:
- quote -
(..) left Confucianism’s departure from the status quo is precisely the point: it is meant to provide a moral standard for social critics and to inspire visions of a more desirable political future. Unlike communism, it offers a future that derives its legitimacy from tradition and building upon what the past has to offer — including the socialist tradition — rather than destroying it.
Thus, left Confucians favour institutional reform, arguing that the long-term stability and legitimacy of political institutions requires that they be founded on Chinese traditions. Jiang Qing advocates a tri-cameral legislature — a democratically elected People’s House representing the common people’s interests, a House of Exemplary Persons to secure the good of all those affected by government policies, including foreigners and minority groups, and a House of Cultural Continuity that would maintain China’s various religions and traditions.
(…)
“Today, the most viable alternative to China’s political status quo is left Confucianism.”
- unquote-
URL:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\07\29\story_29-7-2008_pg3_5
Posted in Left Confucianism, Tsinghua University | No Comments »
July 30th, 2008
“TV-Analects” (影视论语) - New Series on Confucius and Confucianism will be broadcast on Chinese TV
This month will see a new TV and DVD programme on Confucius and Confucianism, titled “Cultural Giant Confucius” (文化巨人孔子) that will be broadcast on TV in China and sold on DVD worldwide.
According to the Guangzhou Daily, the programme was 10 years in the making, cost 27 mio RMB to produce and spans locations in 8 countries. It is part documentary with visits to historic sites, part interview and part enacting of crucial scenes from the Lunyu and from the Life of Confucius. Its main focus is on the life of Confucius, his thought, the Confucian tradition and Confucianism today.
URL:
http://news.dayoo.com/guangzhou/200807/28/53872_3533212.htm
Posted in Confucius, DVD, TV | No Comments »
July 29th, 2008
Chinaview.cn publishes an evaluation of Confucius and his role in modern Chinese life
Under the catching title “Why a tall, handsome reject has had the last laugh”, Chinaview.cn (the official website of Xinhua News Agency) has published a China Daily article by editor Bi Mingxin. The article under the category “Window of China” focuses especially on Confucius as creator of the “We are family” philosophy in China.
The article closes with the lines:
“Though some Chinese worry about traditional values eroding in the face of new cultural influences and social challenges, at the very least, for most 21st century East Asians, it’s still family that counts most.
Similarly, treating someone like family remains the sincerest social gesture.
These living legacies of Confucianism continue to anchor billions of people in their everyday lives and interactions.
Not bad for a man who lived 2,500 years ago. “
URL:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/28/content_8784895.htm
Posted in Confucius, Confucius debate, News | No Comments »