Confucius settled down and still put all his spirit on the cause of education.
The truth that Confucius often talked to his disciples was "benevolence." Benevolence mainly means to love others, which reflects the social reality of the rise of "shu people" at that time. His openness in education was also based on this idea that conformed to the requirements of history; although, due to class limitations, he advocated the maintenance of the "etiquette" of the hierarchy, which inevitably weakened the idea of "benevolence", but this was ultimately the most glorious and progressive aspect of his thought.
"The Story of Confucius" Li Changzhi
In addition to talking about "benevolence", Confucius often taught his disciples to study history, study literature and art, care about politics, and develop good habits in daily life. His happiness, bitterness, and anger were nothing hidden among his disciples. His singing, his laughter, there was no interruption. Straightforward and subtle, enthusiastic and serious, lively and measured, this is the image of Confucius living among his disciples.
When Confucius talked to people, he always respected the opinions of others, even with his disciples. This creates an atmosphere in which confucius asks his disciples first, and the disciples often seek Confucius's opinions, and they respect each other in this way. Once, Confucius said to his disciples, "Is it okay for each person to talk about each person's wishes?" Zilu said: "I am willing to have a good car, a good horse, a good leather jacket, and enjoy it with my friends, even if they use it, I will not complain." Yan Yuan said: "I am willing to have my own strengths and not be complacent, and I do not boast about my own merits." At this time, Zilu turned to Confucius and asked, "Listen to your old man's wishes." Confucius said: "My wish is: the old one lives a stable life, the friends believe in me, and the young one miss me very much." Confucius's will is so ordinary, but so close to people, so warm, this is Confucius!
(Qing) Statue of Confucius Standing
Confucius was very good at inspiring people in education and respecting people's individuality, and Confucius often spoke very measuredly among his disciples because of their different hobbies and different degrees of understanding of things.
One day, Confucius's disciples Zilu, Zeng, Ran You, and Gong Xihua sat with Confucius. Their seats were arranged by age: Zilu was the largest, at this time forty-two years old, sitting at the front; Zeng Chen was twenty-four or five years old, followed by ran; Ran was twenty-one two years old, and then second; Gong Xihua was eighteen or nineteen years old, and finally. Confucius was fifty-one years old. Confucius first said, "Don't be bound just because I'm a few years older than you." Regardless of age, if you have something to say, just talk about it. You say on a daily basis that no one appreciates. Now I would like to ask, if anyone appreciates, what are you going to do? ”
Zilu rushed to say without hesitation: "Such a country with a thousand military vehicles is threatened by the surrounding big countries, and after a military disaster, the people are causing famine." But if I had to do a pass, as long as three years, well, as long as three years, I can train a strong team, and let the domestic education is also very developed! ”
Confucius listened and laughed.
(Ming) The valley of the painted silk "Picture of confucius's holy relics" will be gathered, which is the most wonderful scene in Confucius's political career
No one spoke at this point. In order, Confucius was going to ask About Zeng Yu, but Zeng Yu was still playing the piano, so he asked Ran You. Confucius called Ran You by name: "Please, how are you?" ”
Ran Youmizilu was laughed at by the teacher, so he said that he was a little less willing: "I only need sixty or seventy miles to see the square, and fifty or sixty miles can also be." If I had to ask for it, within three years, I would have everyone full. As for cultural education, wait for those who are more capable to come. ”
Confucius didn't say anything this time. He asked Gong Xihua again, calling his name: "Chi Oh, it's your turn." ”
Gong Xihua had to be more modest, saying, "I can't guarantee that I can do it, but I am willing to learn." When the princes met in the temple, I put on a proper dress and became a small celebrant. Gong Xihua was originally good at entertaining guests, and he himself felt that this was his duty, but Confucius did not express anything.
(Ming) Lu Wenjin, son of the painted silk book "The Sacred Relics of Confucius"
Finally, Confucius asked Zeng Chen, calling his name: "What about points?" Zeng Chen's piano slowly slowed down, and with a bang, it finally stopped. He stood up and replied, "I can't compare to the three of them." ”
Confucius said, "What does it matter, everyone says that everyone is willing." So Zeng Chen said: "In the spring of March, put on light clothes, and go to Yishui with five or six companions, six or seven children, to take a bath." Blow another wind on the rain platform and sing the song back. I don't want anything else. ”
Confucius listened, was greatly amazed, and said, "Yes, I am also this idea!" ”
Confucius said this because: First, since he decided not to participate in the uprising in Gongshan, his heart was particularly calm; second, although Confucius was enthusiastic about political activities, he had always had a side of not nostalgia for wealth and nobility--the so-called Qinggao; third, Confucius was not willing to easily show his political ambitions, and at the same time, he also intended to educate his disciples to be humble and cautious in dealing with politics.
(Ming) "Confucius Apricot Altar Lecture Drawing", in which Confucius sits on a low circular bed with his back against a plain screen, and the four disciples are divided into two groups and sit upright to be taught
At this time, Zilu, Ran You, and Gong Xihua had already withdrawn in turn, leaving only Zeng Chen. When zeng saw Confucius praising him, he felt that he could talk to the teacher in particular, so he asked Confucius, "What about the words of the three of them?" When Zeng Chen asked this question, Confucius replied only lightly: "But everyone talks about their own wishes." ”
Zeng Chen, however, did not relax, so he asked, "Then, why is the teacher laughing at Zhongyu?" Confucius said: "When we talk about politics, we must talk about etiquette, and the most important thing in etiquette is modesty." He was not at all modest, so I couldn't help but laugh at him. ”
Zeng Xuan asked again, "Isn't Ran Qiu modest?" He's not talking about national politics, is he? Confucius said, "Where will there be talks about governing places where the sixty or seventy miles see the square or the fifty or sixty miles see the square, and it is not a rhetorical talk about politics?" ”
Zeng Chen finally asked, "Gong Xi Chi is finally modest, isn't he talking about governing the country and the world?" Confucius said, "What is it that can be the celebrant when meeting in the temple?" He said it was a small emcee, a good little emcee, and a bigger emcee? ”
Only then did Zeng Chen understand that Confucius Xiaozilu did not express anything to Ran You and Gong Xihua's words, and also understood the reason for his praise for himself.
(Ming) "Three Icons", Confucius (center), Yan Hui (left), Zeng Shan (right)
Confucius asked his disciples what they wanted to do, which showed that Confucius was good at enlightenment; from Confucius's reply to Zeng Chen's words, we can see the measure of Confucius's speech. Overall, this Q&A between Confucius and his disciples illustrates how Confucius taught his disciples to be humble, who were still very enthusiastic about politics. This is the atmosphere that Confucius and his disciples often have when they live and talk together.
Confucius finally had the opportunity to enter politics, and in the same year, he was given a position of office and power in the country of Lu.
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