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  • Essay / Confucius' Teachings on Human Nature and the Concept of a Gentleman

    Confucius was a famous Chinese philosopher who lived during the Tang Dynasty. He was born around 551 BC and died in 479 BC at around the age of 72. He dedicated his life to education and took pride in promoting loyalty and respect for others. Although little is known about the details of Confucius' life, we can say with certainty that his teachings, through his unwavering determination, became the foundation for much of China's core ideologies and other countries for the future. Today, his teachings are popular around the world, but particularly in other Asian countries such as Japan, Korea and Vietnam. These nations hold traditional ceremonies each year that encompass the works of Confucius. Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original EssayConfucius observed and understood that humans were naturally full of goodness. Evil and difficulties are inevitable consequences that also occur in life. A fundamental example that corresponds to Confucianism could be charity. People generally choose to donate time, money, and other resources to help others who are not themselves or who are not directly affiliated with themselves. Confucius, just like Socrates, also believed that education is the foundation of all young people shaping their identity as they move towards the future. This article will highlight Confucian thinking on these concepts. Confucius only directly addressed human nature once during his life. It was as quoted; “The master said, by nature, close to each other; very distant in practice.” It must be said that Confucius meant that kindness must be taught by application and not by education. It is not an inherent quality that a single individual is born with. Humans almost always naturally have the same wants and needs, but there are exceptions based on the conditions each person may be born into. The most common being place of birth. As we grow, our environment begins to shape us and this is where we, as humans, begin to divide one another. Our different experiences and the identities we adopt throughout life shape who we are as we age. Confucius believed that what we have in common also helps us live and grow. The different stages of growth that we all experience are what make us different. It is the essence of human nature. Due to very few direct mentions of human nature, we need to look at other analects to better understand Confucian thought on goodness and human nature. “The Master said: (the good man) does not grieve that others do not recognize his merits. His only worry is not recognizing theirs.” This means that integrity is the key to kindness and humility. People who are satisfied with their own actions are much better off than those who act simply to receive praise from others. People who recognize positive qualities can help further promote the use of good deeds towards others. Learning and expanding our knowledge gives us the tools necessary to take the right paths in life. If one falls into ignorance, the path one takes can turn out to be dark and pointless. The ramifications are not only to the detriment of themselves, but also to the detriment of others. “The master said, gentle and never competitive. You will say that in archery, it is.