Commentary on the Confucian Analects, Book 5: "Kung-ye Ch'ang" Part 2/2

cmp2020 (72)in #reviews • 7 years ago (edited)

Hello everyone! I prewrote these articles over the weekend and just realized that Thursday and Friday did not save. So, I am typing the Confucian text from the book for the second time (it is currently 5:16 pm on Wednesday). If you have missed any of the previous articles, they will be linked down below. Let's get into Book 5: Kung-ye Ch'ang:

Here is the second half of my commentaries on Book 5: Kung-ye Ch'ang:

[Image Source: pixabay.com, License: CCO Public Domain]

Original text from the Public Domain Confucian Analects (from the 2013 edition of "The Art of War and Other Classics of Eastern Thought")

@cmp2020 original commentary

Kung-ye Ch'ang

XIV
An example of the principle on which honorary posthumous titles were confered
Tsze-kung asked, saying, "On what ground did Kung-wan get that title of Wan?" The Master said, "He was of an active nature and yet fond of learning, and he was not ashamed to ask and learn of his inferiors! On these grounds he has been styled Wan."

Those who are superior will learn from their environment no matter what that environment might be. They will be avid in their nature, and enjoy learning with a passion. One example would be Bill Gates, who spent a lot of his free time learning about and adapting computers (even before he was successful).

XV
The excellent qualities of Tsze-ch'an
The Master said of Tsze-ch'an that he had four of the characteristics of a superior man-in his conduct of himself, he was humble; in serving his superiors, he was respectful; in nourishing the people, he was kind; in ordering the people, he was just.

The superior man speaks humbly of himself, respects their superiors, is kind when helping others, and orders people fairly. This is yet another example of Confucius speaking of individual perfections being the key to success.

XVI
How to maintain friendship
The Master said, *"Yen P'ing knew well how to maintain friendly intercourse. The acquaintance might be long, but he showed the same respect as at first.

You should be just as respectful towards someone at the end of your relationship as you were at the beginning. Basically, don't take people for granted. I have many friendships that have faded, but I do not hold ill will towards my former friends.

XVII
The superstition of Tsang Wan
The Master said, "Tsang Wang kept a large tortoise in a house, on the capitals of the pillars of which he had hills made, and with representations of duckweed on the small pillars above the beams supporting the rafters. Of what sort was his wisdom?"

Tsang Wang was wise because he recognized that all entities are different and have different needs. I showed this passage to my History teacher, and he told me it's similar to this article, which we read and analyzed last week for a quarterly.

XVIII
The praise of perfect virtue is not to be lightly accorded

Tsze-chang asked, saying, "The minister Tsze-wan thrice took office, and manifested no joy in his countenance. Thrice he retired from office, and manifested no displeasure. He made it a point to inform the new minister of the way in which he had conducted the government; what do you say of him?" The Master replied, "He was loyal." "Was he perfectly virtuous?" "I do not know. How can he be pronounced perfectly virtuous?"

Tsze-chang proceeded, "When the officer Ch,ui killed the prince of Ch'i, Ch'an Wan, though he was the owner of forty horses, abandoned them and left the country. Coming to another State, he said, 'They are here like our great officer, Ch'ui,' and left it. He came to a second State, and with the same observation left it also;-what do you say of him?" The Master replied, "He was pure." "Was he perfectly virtuous?" "I do not know. How can he be pronounced perfectly virtuous?"

This is another case where certain actions do not equate to virtue. For example: You can donate all the money to charity that you want, but if you don't honestly morally believe in a charity, your donation to it does not make your beliefs any more real. Confucius talks about two government officials, and how they may be pure or loyal, but those traits do not necessarily demonstrate moral values. No one can judge a person's motives except that person. For example, everyone thought Iago was a good guy in Othello. Another example would be Benedict Arnold.

XIX
Prompt decision good
Chi Wan thought thrice, and then acted. When the Master was informed of it, he said, "Thrice may do."

Think things through at least three times before doing them.

XX
The uncommon but admirable stupidity of Ning Wu
The Master said, "When good order prevailed in his country, Ning Wu acted the part of a wise man. When his country was in disorder, he acted the part of a stupid man. Others may equal his wisdom, but they cannot equal his stupidity."

Here, Confucius is again talking down towards hypocrites. In this case, he appears to be referring to a government official. This official acted whichever part benefited him the most. This could also be another reference to thinking about how your actions affect others before thinking of how they benefit you.

XXI
The anxiety of Confucius about the training of his disciples
When the master was in Ch'an, he said, "Let me return! Let me return! The little children of my school are ambitious and too hasty. They are accomplished and complete so far, but they do not know how to restrict and shape themselves."

He is frustrated that his students are ambitious and hasty. He acknowledges that the students are accomplished, but says that they lack the discipline to restrain and shape themselves. Many students are arrogant, one that comes to mind would be Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels (episodes 1-3). You should definitely watch those if you have not yet seen them.

XXII
The generosity of Po-i and Shu-ch'i and its effects
The Master said, "Po-i and Shu-chi did not keep the former wickednesses of men in mind, and hence the resentments directed towards them were few."

People won't dislike you if you don't acknowledge their flaws. For example, who knows the cliche "Happy wife, happy life."

XXIII
Small meannesses inconsistent with uprightness
The Master said, "Who says of Wei-shang Kao that he is upright? One begged some vinegar of him, and he begged it of a neighbor and gave it to the man."

Basically, Wei-shang is running a ponzy-scheme. All jokes aside, it is dishonorable to say you have something before you have it, or give away a gift.

XXIV
The Master said, "Fine words, an insinuating appearance, and excessive respect-Tso Ch'iu-ming was ashamed of them. I also am ashamed of them. To conceal resentment against a person, and appear friendly with him-Tso Ch'iu-ming was ashamed of such conduct. I also am ashamed of it."

Confucius is comparing his views to those of Tso Ch-iu-ming. They are both ashamed of dressing to seduce, and respecting people too much. They are also both ashamed of holding grudges against people while pretending to be their friend.

XXV
The different wishes of Yen Yüan, Tsze-lu, and Confucius

Yen Yüan and Chi Lu being by his side, the Master said to them, "Come, let each of you tell his wishes."

Tsze-lu said, "I should like, having chariots and horses, and light fur dresses to share them with my friends, and though they should spoil them, I would not be displeased."

Yen Yüan said, "I should like not to boast of my excellence, nor make a display of my meritorious deeds."

Tsze-lu then said, "I should like, sir, to hear your wishes." The Master said, "They are, in regard to the aged, to give them rest; in regard to friends, to show them sincerity; in regard to the young, to treat them tenderly."

I believe that the point of this passage is to point out that wishes don't have to be about an outlandish thing. Sometimes it's best to hope for what is most realistic, i.e. the health of your elders, to be honest with your friends, and to treat the young with kindness. My wishes are for the price of Steem to go back up (or down).

XXVI
A lament over men's persistence in error
The Master said, "It is all over! I have not yet seen one who could perceive his faults, and inwardly accuse himself."

It is rare to find someone who can see their own mistakes, and blame themself. I will add to this and state that it is common in human nature to blame other people for your mistakes because the responsibility (blame) is lifted off of you and given to someone else.

XXVII
The humble claim of Confucius for himself
The Master said, "In a hamlet of ten families, there may be found one honorable and sincere as I am, but not so fond of learning."

It is rare to find someone honorable and sincere (at the level of Confucius). It is even more rare to find someone who is honorable, sincere, and fond of learning.

Confucian Analects

Art of War Review

Thanks for reading this! Thank you for all of the positive feedback this series has received! As always, it is appreciated. Tomorrow (at 6pm est), I will begin my commentaries on Book 6: Yung Yey. I hope to see you there!

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