Confucius on the State of Life

Before Confucius, only the nobility had the right to education. He was the first figure in Chinese history to initiate private education. According to historical records, Confucius taught for many years and trained 3,000 disciples.A total of 72 of them excelled in the “six arts,”i.e., ritual, music, archery,(carriage) driving, calligraphy, and mathematics.A great educator, Confucius has been admired by later generations as the “sage of sages.”Confucius believed the basic goal of education was to cultivate “persons of virtue,”who should have sound character and uplifted minds. Such persons should be able to shoulder important social responsibilities and to make contributions to society. Confucius regarded lofty ideals, great virtue, love of people, and the “six arts”as the general principles of education. Of these, virtue was the most important. His students were involved in a variety of professions, including politics, trade, education, diplomacy, ritual ceremony, and classifyingancient books. Whatever they did, they all wanted to improve their learning of the humanities and to enhance their virtue.

Confucius emphasized aesthetic education. He said,”Studying The Book of Songs(Shijing) inspires the spirit and helps one appreciate beauty. Studying The Book of Rites (Zhouli) enables one to behave properly as a person of enlightenment. Studying music lifts the spirit and helps one to enjoy life.”Healso said,”Simply knowing the highest standard of virtue(i.e., love of people) is not as good as setting it as one’s goal. Setting it as one’s goal is not as good as enjoying the practice of it.”

On one occasion, Confucius asked several of his disciples to talk about their aspirations. Zi Lu and Ran You wanted the opportunity to administer a state.

Gongsun Chi wanted to become a master of rituals. Zeng Dian said,”My aspiration is different from theirs.””That is acceptable,”said Confucius.”We are only talking about our own aspirations.”Zeng Dian then said,”(My dream) is to wear spring robes in late spring and to swim in the Yi River with five or six adults and six or seven children.We shall enjoy the breeze where people pray for rain.Then we shall go home，singing all the way.”Confucius sighed，“Ah，I share Dian’s aspiration.”The different aspirations of the four students reflected their different outlooks on life.Confucius’agreement with Zeng Dian indicates that while he stressed individual contribution to society，he regarded the highest state of life as harmony among people and harmony between people and nature.

His was a true aesthetic outlook on life.

Under the influence of Confucius，Chinese thinkers of later generations all believed that students and scholars should not only increase their knowledge，but also and more importantly，broaden their minds and enhance their spiritual ethos.In other words，they should continually seek the greater meaning and value of life.Many modern scholars think the theory on the perspective on life is the most valuable feature of Chinese philosophy.It all began with Confucius.

hancheng

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