Confucious said what?
by holidayconnections · Published · Updated
One of his teachings was a variant of “the Golden Rule” sometimes called the “Silver Rule” owing to its negative form:
- 己所不欲,勿施於人。
“What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others.”[citation]
子貢問曰:有一言而可以終身行之者乎?子曰:其恕乎!己所不欲、勿施於人。
Zi Gong [a disciple] asked: “Is there anyone word that could guide a person throughout life?” The Master replied: “How about ‘reciprocity’! Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself.”Analects XV.24, tr. David Hinton
Confucius was mainly a Chinese philosopher, who worked as a politician, and teacher, and his message of knowledge, benevolence, loyalty, and virtue became the main philosophy of China for thousands of years.
Confucius’ teachings were collected in the book, “The Analects” of Confucius that his disciples put together after his death, abut 2500 years ago. The equality of man and the right way and purpose of living, ideas that eventually spread to the West and influenced the great thinkers of the Enlightenment that fueled American declaration of independence.
And five centuries before Christ, Confucius set forth his own “Golden Rule”: “Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself.”
Confucius established a moral code of conduct based on human principles of mutual respect, good conduct, and familial ties. Confucius teaches us about patience, perseverance, discipline, and hard work. It might sound similar to religious principles, but it is rather a life style.
Children Book about Confucious and his techings you might want to read.