Passages from The Analects of Confucius

Passages from The Analects of Confucius

128. Confucius said: “If your words are grand, you will find that it is difficult for your actions to measure up to them.” [14.21] This passage appears on page 14 in the text in the section on words and actions.

The point that Confucius is trying to make here is that speaking in an exaggerated manner of yourself or your deeds is just as easy as speaking of them in any other way. But it is much harder to actually perform lofty actions than it is to perform relatively less difficult ones. Hence, it is considerably more functional to speak mildly of yourself or your actions if you intend uphold your statements in practice. Further, if you rarely speak, or even do not speak at all, your deeds and actions will generally always exceed your statements. In this same section on words and actions from the Analects, Confucius even says, “I wish I could avoid speaking.” (130). This shows that he prefers letting his actions speak entirely for themselves. Also, in this same section again on words and actions, Confucius says, “The ancients were reluctant to speak, fearing that their actions would not measure up to their words.”(126). In saying this, Confucius further buttresses his tendency of ‘less talk, more action’ by referring to practice of the ancients, or those he carries great respect for. Obviously, Confucius rested great importance upon being humble, particularly in the case of what he said.

In thinking of this passage, I very much share the same attitude as Confucius. I feel that actions speak louder than words, because it takes the same amount of energy to utter highly self-flattering statements as it does to speak precisely of your actual abilities. The end result is self-defeat if someone is in the habit of exaggerating his or her words. Moreover, I feel an innate respect for a person whose actions are regularly surpassing their comments, because it shows their modesty. Confucius surely knew the formula of respect through humility.

87. The Duke of Sheh told Confucius: “In my land, people are just. If a father steals a sheep, the son will turn him in. Confucius said, “The just in my land act differently. The father conceals the wrongs of his son, and the son conceals the wrongs of this father. This is justice.” This passage appears on page 10 in the text in the section on filial piety.

From the text, i...

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...ble and respectful, and you will get along even if you live among the barbarians. If someone speaks insincerely and dishonestly, and if he is not humble and respectful, then he will have trouble even among his own people.”(64). The Chun-Tzu or enlightened person possesses sincerity, honesty, humility, and respect, enabling him to live in harmony with others, while not sacrificing his own individuality.

The truth contained in this passage is immensely apparent to me. I was (un)fortunate enough to have lived in a dormitory last year while away attending my first year of undergraduate school. It became all too obvious to me that in order to maintain my ideals and morality while peacefully coexisting with the barbarians or other freshmen in my dorm, I would have to exercise many of the virtues of the Chun-Tzu, such as honesty, humility, and respect. Likewise, those less inclined to do so were usually the individuals who hadn’t an original thought in them, and all the while reeking havoc and drumming up controversy around us. Here, personal experience proves the wisdom of Confucius.

Bibliography

Crong,George. Readings in Eastern Philosophy. Hewett.New York City,N.Y.1994.