Analects 4:5

What did you do for Ancient Chinese Philosophy today?

Today, I pondered upon Analect 4:5 which is part of the given topics for discussion.

What idea did you encounter that turned out meaningful?

Confucius said, “Wealth and honor are what every man desires.  But if they have been obtained in violation of moral principles, they must not be kept.  Poverty and humble station are what every man dislikes.  But if they can be avoided only in violation of moral principles, they must not be avoided.  If a superior man departs from humanity, how can he fulfill that name?  A superior man never abandons humanity even for the lapse of a single meal.  In moments of haste, he acts according to it.  In times of difficulty or confusion, he acts according to it.”

Confucius' teachings, I have observed, are more on enriching the moral values of a person. It teaches us to be just and fair in dealing matters in this world. In this Analect, Confucius wanted to tell us that having material wealth and power is not bad but if it is achieved through unjust and unfair manner, then it is best that you have nothing but you are morally rich and powerful.

As what I have said/written, Confucius' teachings are focused on living with moral principles. It means that these moral principles are guides and reminders in living this material world. Living in this material world enables us to be with other people. To be able to accomplish and live according to the moral principles is through dealing with the world primarily with people. The middle part of the Analect teaches us that in fulfilling the moral principles, we must be with people because this is the "test" in which we can say at the end that we are morally rich because we had followed the moral principles despite the temptations. If one wants to be morally rich yet abandons humanity, then he/she cannot fulfill that goal because these moral principles are guides and reminders in dealing with the world and with people.

The last part of the statement reminds us to live with the world and with people and never forget about the moral principles which serves as guide and reminders for us. We have to live according to it despite the temptations, the doubts and confusions.