Kong Qui, or as we all know him, Confucius (551B.C. – 479 B.C.) was born in the Lu state near China. Records of the Historian claim that he was born in a wealthy family while other accounts claim that he was born in a poor family.
However, one thing which is known for sure is that he lived in China during a period of ideological crisis.
According to his teachings, preserved in the Analects, Confucius was striving towards better society reached by improved moral, better family and social relationships, justice and sincerity, and improved educational standards for everyone no matter the class.
Confucius had a vision of just and peaceful China. He also had a vision of a better world. According to his teachings that was possible if we follow the rules of the concentric circles system.
The meaning of this theory was that every man must respect himself and behave in a virtuous manner, if one respects himself than he will respect his family, the respect will expand further on the neighbourhood, than on the society, nation, county, on the universe and beyond.
When Confucius was 50 years old, he was appointed Governor of the state of Lu and had the opportunity to change China for the better. With his ruling Confucius was ahead of his time.
He had some bizzare rules like: women and men should walk on a different side of the road, but he also had some marvelous ideas like: poor children and poor elderly people should be fed on the state expense and education should be equally accessible to everyone no matter the social class.
His theory was that education is not just something you do at a certain period in your life rather is the meaning of life.
He also believed that if every man is educated, there won’t be difference between classes. In Confucius’ class both sons of wealthy noblemen and sons of poor peasants sat together and learnt about the aspects of justice and truth.
Confucius encouraged them that each and every one of them can become a superior man – when aristocracy of noble character matters and not noble birth. Anybody can be a superior man, one just has to desire.
Here are 10 powerful life-altering lessons which are based on Confucius’ philosophy:
1.When anger rises, think of the consequences.
2. If you hate a person, then you’re defeated by them.
3. Never form a friendship with a man who is not better than you.
4. When it is obvious that goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, but adjust the action steps.
5. If they spit at you behind your back, it means you’re ahead of them.
6. What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.
7. Give instructions only to those people who seek knowledge after they have discovered their ignorance.
8. It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
9. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.
10. Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
If only half of us were thinking the way Confucius was, the world would be a better place for living.
SHARING IS CARING!
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A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.