8/13/2019 Confucius thought on politics

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8/13/2019 Confucius thought on politics

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Relates to 14.2, once you take up the role of ruler you have to put aside

everything else

However if a ruler bargains for his own gain, that isnt good (14.14), Zang

Wuzhong probably did that and Confucius didnt approve Ends justify the means (14.16-14.17)

- Rulers may be limited by their personalities (14.11)- Often idea of needing to be a combination of the best people, have to put people

together to become a complete man, but theres no one that actually is a

complete man (14.12)

Confucius emphasizes restraint, patience, giving self time

- Government should be patient, especially regarding military

I feel like he just doesnt like fighting very much in general?

Can think about Iraq War, World War II, sending young men to war

without training them properly

- Idea of self cultivation, individual has to be formed and you have to completeyourself before you can govern others, then you lead by example

Unfinished person wont do a good job because they havent understoodthe rites and rituals

- Shame is important, should carry virtue and humaneness with you even when

you go to foreign lands

- 15.5: Inaction and self cultivation of virtue

Only time doing nothing appears in the Analects

Think about Shun

They will speak for themselves

Makes it difficult for later rulers to be active because they can be stifled by

counselors Once ruler achieves benevolence, he doesnt need to do anything apart

from watch over his own benevolence (13.12)

Should be like grass, bend with the wind

13.10, 13.11, and 13.12 show that this isnt as easy as it sounds

Even with a good man in power, it would take 100 years for him to getrid of death penalty

- Despite Confucius emphasis on self-cultivation, also says that must depend on

good counselors, seems to be a contradiction/paradox

How did rulers of Lu and Wei choose the right people even though theyhadnt cultivated themselves?

Kongzi talks about good counselors of the past, not really of good rulers He said that he would stay immaculate in a pool of dirtiness (the

political life)

The most difficult to thing to cultivate is relationship between rulerand subject

- The Moral Way is a path that you create