Stories in the Analects of Confucius-Chapter VIII
Zi Gong said: "You can get and hear the master's articles; The nature of Confucius' words and nature of heaven cannot be obtained and heard. "
Zi Gong said: We have all heard of Mr. Wang's articles. We seldom hear Master talk about nature and heaven.
Article: refers to the knowledge related to the system of rites and music, such as the history books of rites and music. Sex: human nature. Tian: The ancients thought that the system was formulated by ancestors imitating the operation law between heaven and earth, so it was more essential than the ritual and music system. It's really hard to understand heaven. If you are interested, you can go and see Laozi's Tao Te Ching, which mostly talks about Heaven.
It's not that Confucius didn't talk about it or didn't understand it, but that it was rarely mentioned. Although it is rarely mentioned, such as the famous "eat drink man woman people's great desire for existence", it is not only sex, but also the source of sex and the most basic human nature, but it is not recorded in The Analects. It was not until the Middle Ages that the West clearly put forward a similar view.
1. There are two chapters in The Analects about human nature. The first chapter is a chapter of Ji, and its contents are as follows:
Confucius said: "A gentleman has three precepts: when he is young, his blood gas is uncertain, so he should be cautious; It is also strong, bloody, and quit; I am also old, my blood gas is declining, and I have to quit. "
Confucius said that as a gentleman, we should pay attention to three points: when we are young, we should pay attention to the cultivation of color and not indulge in it; When you reach the age of blood, you should be alert and brave. When you are old, your blood is weak, so be alert to greed.
As human nature, it is relatively easy to define and form such a concept in your mind. It is difficult to determine what belongs to human nature. Only an accurate definition can have guiding significance. Only those human natures that are generally unchanged from ancient times to the present, such as the chapter above, are the real human natures.
It was difficult to control your color when you were a child. Confucius was angry and killed me because I slept during the day. Why? Before, there was no ktv, no night market, and there was basically no entertainment place at night. Even if you want to go to heaven and land, it is difficult to find such a place, so everyone usually goes to bed early and rarely feels overwhelmed. Of course, although there are few recreational activities, it is not without them, such as the feasting and nightlife between husband and wife. I always sleep during the day, which may be related to too much activity at night, so Confucius asked him to be temperate in this respect.
The ancients respected human nature, not to give up on themselves and make people become ascetics, but to think it was appropriate and moderate. This is what color warning means.
If it is human nature, it is not only meaningful to the ancients, but also meaningful to people today. Just look around and you will know that a case has happened recently. It seems that a young man killed a 90-year-old woman.
Everything should be measured. Measurement does not mean that it should not be, nor should it be few, but that the seed of love, a young man, is impulsive and easily out of control, so pay attention.
How many murders have people around you brewed for a collision, a word, and a look? How much did the impulsive young people pay for this?
It should be shown to different people at different times. I remember when I was a child, my mother told me sadly that your grandmother was old. I'm surprised that grandma is very old. Mom said, no, I gave her money and she didn't want it. I gave it to her these times and she took it all. When people are old, they like money.
My mother is very filial, especially to my grandmother. When she said this, her mother shed tears. It seems that my grandmother died a few years after my mother told me this sentence.
Mom's understanding shows that in the past, although everyone may not have read the Analects of Confucius, they can't sum it up as clearly as Confucius, but everyone understands these popular truths.
In this regard, we can observe the surrounding environment and give more material care to the elderly when they reach a certain age. Although they may not use much, they like to have it, which is a psychological comfort.
Of course, when Confucius said these words, he didn't mean to be as popular as me. For example, the phrase "Blood failure, quit" is mainly to remind rulers not to be too greedy when they reach a certain age.
In this regard, interested people can read more history, such as Chunqiu and Yanzi Chunqiu, which are often recorded and discussed.
Confucius said: Sex is similar, but learning is far away.
This is another chapter of Confucius' discussion on human nature, which is recorded in Yang Huo's article.
Confucius believes that innate human nature is similar, and acquired education makes people different, with good and bad, evil and good. This is easy to understand, and it is easy to know by analogy with the literacy of people from different families and countries.
During the Warring States period, there were differences in the study of human nature. Mencius advocated that human nature is good, while Xunzi advocated inherent vice. So what does Confucius advocate?
Confucius believes that people are born with desires, and it is normal to seek to satisfy these desires. There is no good or evil. However, if everyone satisfies his own selfish desires without restriction, people will hurt each other, so they advocate using etiquette to restrain them, and people should bring their actions into the orbit allowed by etiquette. Good and evil is the distinction between people's behavior after social norms such as morality and law. Without the standard of right and wrong, there is no good or evil.
Confucius' thoughts are different from those of Xunzi and Mencius. If we have to say who we are close to, Xunzi's view is closer to Confucius' thought. What Confucius said. The innate humanity of those people belongs to the innate inferiority in Xunzi's eyes.
Second, the Analects of Confucius also has a chapter related to heaven, but it is not a literal book, as follows:
Confucius said, "I want to be speechless." Zi Gong said, "If you don't say anything, it's enough. What can you say?" Knowing the son, he said, "What does Heaven say? When you are at four o'clock, everything is born. What is the sky? " (Yang Huo)
Confucius said: I don't want to say anything more. Zi Gong said: If we don't talk about it, what can we learn? Confucius said: Does Heaven have a word? The four seasons run, and everything grows old and dies. Did the sky say anything?
Many people feel that Confucius seems to be complaining and tired in this chapter. Maybe there is a little factor. Talking about the same thing for many years is a very hard work, and it is normal to be a little emotional. After reading this chapter, I suddenly want to pay tribute to the teachers who taught me. They repeat those boring things year after year.
However, Confucius said, "What does Heaven say?" Maybe he is not only expressing his feelings, but also telling Zi Gong one thing: all knowledge is around you.
The four seasons run, everything is born and dies, and behind it is heaven. The so-called heaven is also called the law of nature. The ancients thought that there was a force that dominated this law. In their minds, heaven was supreme, so it was called heaven.
What Confucius said to Zi Gong, Zhuangzi once expressed it in a less elegant way: Tao drowned in shit.
The spirit of the ritual and music system can be perceived from the past history (reviewing the past and learning the new), can be inferred by the method of loyalty and forgiveness, can be compared with natural phenomena (heaven), and can be experienced from itself (it can be said that it is a benevolent side). Teachers can only give a direction, and more needs their own efforts.
Yan Hui's story seems to prove this point. When the teacher told him, he listened carefully and rarely refuted. After he went back, he went to experience learning. He can not only draw inferences from others, but also learn a lot. He became the best person recognized by Confucius' teachers and students, and even Confucius lamented: "What a pity! I have seen it enter, but I have never seen it stop! " (Zi Han)
Everyone is listening to the teacher. Why does Yan Hui get more than others? This is worth pondering. Trying to find the answer by yourself in various ways will make you gain more than waiting for the teacher's conclusion.
"Confucius' words, the nature of heaven, cannot be learned and heard" is not that the master does not speak, but that he wants to understand. This sentence probably means this.
Famous sayings in The Analects of Confucius
1, a gentleman does not attract people with words, and does not waste words with others. A gentleman does not recommend others by words, nor refuses to adopt his good words because he is not good to him. )
2. It is not enough for a scholar to be ambitious in the road, and he should be ashamed of those who have insufficient food and clothing. A scholar is very interested in the truth, but he is ashamed of his lack of food and clothing. It's not worth talking to him about Tao. )
3. People don't believe and don't know what they can do. It is impossible for a person not to keep his promise. )
4, angry and forget food, happy and forget worry, I don't know that old age is coming to the clouds. I worked so hard that I forgot to eat. I was so happy that I forgot all my troubles and didn't even know I was old. That's all. )
5, the gentleman seeks himself, and the villain seeks others. A gentleman asks for himself, but a villain asks for others. )
6. A gentleman is figurative, while a villain is figurative. A gentleman knows the great righteousness, but a villain only knows the small profits. )
7. Do your duty and don't give in to your teacher. Even teachers are humble in dealing with benevolence. )
8. A gentleman is not satisfied, and he is not safe. He is sensitive, cautious and upright. It can be said that he is eager to learn. Confucius said, "Gentleman, don't worry about not having enough to eat, don't worry about being uncomfortable, be diligent and agile, and be careful in what you say. He can be said to be eager to learn and find the right person to correct himself. )
9. an upright man is open and poised while a petty man is anxious and worried. An upright man is open and poised, I'm sentimental. )
10, a gentleman makes friends by writing and helps others by friendship. A gentleman can make friends with literature, learn from friends, and rely on friends to help him cultivate benevolence. )
1 1, eat less and drink more water, bend your arms to rest on it and enjoy it. Unjust wealth is like a cloud to me. Eating coarse grains, drinking white water and bending your arms as pillows are fun in the middle. Wealth acquired by dishonest means is like a cloud in the sky to me. )
12, the beauty of a gentleman as an adult is not the evil of an adult. The villain is the opposite. A gentleman achieves the good deeds of others and does not encourage the evil deeds of others. The villain is the opposite. )
13, courtesy, rather extravagant, rather frugal; Sadness is greater than heart death. (It is better to be frugal than to be extravagant; As far as funerals are concerned, it is better to be truly sad than to prepare for the ceremony. )
14, the three armies can win the handsome, but the ordinary man can't win the ambition. (A country's army can take the commander-in-chief; But one's ambition cannot be forced to change. )
15, gentleman's business is based on Tao. A gentleman is committed to fundamental things. Once established, the principle of governing the country and being a man is also established. )
16, rhetoric, nonsense. A small oversight can lead to great disaster. Sweet words corrupt people's virtue, and if you don't endure small things, you will ruin big things. )
17, quality is better than literature, and literature is better than quality. Gentle, then a gentleman. Simplicity is more than literary talent, just like a countryman, he is vulgar; His literary talent is more than simple; he is hypocritical and grandiose. Only when simplicity and literary talent are properly matched is a gentleman. )
18, the knower is not confused, the benevolent is not worried, and the brave is not afraid.
19, knife, you can die at night. When I was studying Taoism in the morning, I was willing to die that night. )
20, do not suffer from nowhere, suffer from it; Don't worry about knowing yourself, but seek to know yourself. I'm not afraid of not having an official position, and I'm afraid I haven't learned anything that holds water. I'm not afraid that no one knows me, but I just want to be a person with real talent and learning who deserves to be known. )
2 1, Renyuan? I want to be kind. I am so kind. Confucius said, "Is benevolence far away from us? Whenever I want to contact Jane, Jane will come. )
22. A gentleman talks but doesn't do it. A gentleman should speak carefully, but act quickly. )
23. If a worker wants to do a good job, he must sharpen his tools first. Sharp tools make good work. )
24, the gentleman is not as good as Zhou, and the villain is not as good. Gentlemen get along with others and don't collude with others, while villains collude with others and don't fit in. )
25. Zi Gong said, "Poor but not flattering, rich but not arrogant?" Confucius said, "Yes. If you are not poor, you will be happy, and those who are rich and courteous will also be. " (Zi Gong said, "How about being poor without flattery and being rich without arrogance?" Confucius said, "This is enough. But not as good as poor people who are willing to do things, rich and polite people. " )
26, poor without resentment, rich without arrogance. Poor without complaining, rich without pride. )
27. If you don't get angry, you will be angry. If an angle is not reversed by three angles, there will be no more. Teach students not to enlighten them until they want to understand; Don't inspire him until he thinks but can't say it. Teach him one thing, but he can't infer the other three things from it, so he won't teach him any more. )
28, the use of courtesy, harmony is expensive. (The application value of courtesy is harmonious. )
29, people have no long-term worries, there must be near worries. Without long-term research, people will have immediate worries. )
30, Germany is not alone, there must be neighbors. A moral person will not be isolated, and there will be people with the same ideas. )
3 1, people with lofty ideals are benevolent, and there is no harm to life, and death is benevolence. There is no fear of death, only sacrifice one's life to make it perfect. )
32. Don't be widowed and don't know people. I am not afraid that others will not understand me, but I am afraid that I will not understand others. )
33. Benevolent people want to stand up and reach for talent. As for the benevolent, if you want to stand on your own feet, you must help others stand together; If you want to live well by yourself, you should also help others to live well together. )
34, see xian Si Qi how, see not xian and introspection. When you meet a wise man, you should learn from him. When you meet an immoral person, you should reflect on whether you have made similar mistakes.
35. A gentleman is harmonious but different, and a villain is not harmonious. A gentleman stresses harmony without difference, while a villain only seeks complete agreement without coordination. )
36. Nine times out of ten, I am determined to learn, walk upright, forty without confusion, fifty with destiny, sixty with ears, and seventy with heart. Determined to study at the age of fifteen; 18 years old can stand on its own feet; Forty years old can't be confused by foreign things; At the age of fifty, I learned my fate; At the age of 60, I can treat all kinds of remarks correctly without feeling uncomfortable; At the age of seventy, you can do anything you want without breaking the rules. )
37. The afterlife is awesome. How do you know that the new guy is not now? Young people are awesome. How do you know that the younger generation is not as good as the previous generation? )
38. Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone is in his own party. I've seen it. I know Jen. People's mistakes are always of the same nature as those made by people in his group. Therefore, by examining a person's mistakes, we can know that he has no benevolence. )
39. Knowing is not as good as being good, and being good is not as good as being happy. He who knows is not as good as he who loves; People who love it are not as good as those who enjoy it. )
40. A gentleman is knowledgeable in literature, and he can also take courtesy as his husband. A gentleman can learn ancient cultural classics extensively and restrain himself with courtesy, so as to remain eccentric. )
4 1, the knower enjoys water, and the benevolent enjoys Leshan; The knower moves, and the benevolent is quiet; People who know are happy, and people who are kind live long. Love the water, a wise man, loves mountains. Wise people move, benevolent people are quiet. Wise men are happy, but gentlemen live long. )
42. Knowing is knowing, not knowing is not knowing, just knowing. What you know is what you know and what you don't know is what you don't know. This is wisdom! )
43, its body is right, can not be ordered; His body is not straight, although he disobeys. If you are right, the people will do it even if you don't give the order. If you are wrong, even if you give orders, the people will not obey. )
44. The son said in Sichuan: "The deceased is like a husband, not giving up day and night." (Confucius said by the river: "The lost time is like this river, which flows forward day and night." )
45, can not ask, ask more widows, if not, real Xu Ruo; Don't go to school if you commit a crime. I have talent, but I ask people who have no talent. I have more knowledge, but I ask those who have less knowledge. Learning is like not learning; Knowledge is rich, but it seems empty; Being violated and not caring. )
46, benevolent beauty, choose not benevolent, how do you know? It is good to live with people with kindness. How can you say that you are wise if the place you choose is not with people with kindness? )
47. Zi Gong said: "A gentleman is mistaken as the food of the sun and the moon. Too many, everyone has seen it; What's more, people went belly-up.
48. It's rare to make an appointment. Restrain yourself with courtesy, and fewer people will make mistakes again. )
49, cold, and then know that the pine and cypress are dying. It was not until the cold season that I knew that the pine and cypress had finally withered. )
50, willing to be kind, do all kinds of evil. If you set your heart on doing good, you won't do bad things. )