Every enlightened contemporary knows the name of the famous Chinese Confucius. And not in vain. The teachings of the ancient thinker were used by many eastern countries to build a state ideology. His thoughts greatly influenced the lives of many people. His books are on par with Buddhism in China.
Confucius is not just an ancient thinker and philosopher of China, but also a pioneer in drawing up the concept of a harmonious and moral society. According to his concepts, a person should strive for harmony with himself and the world around him. More than 20 centuries have passed since his death, and philosophical reasoning and aphorisms have not lost their significance. Particularly important are his reflections on the ideal person, whom he calls the "noble husband".
Main milestones in the life of the great sage Confucius
The real name of the Chinese philosopher Kung Qiu, Kung Fu Tzu or Tzu (teacher) is found in literature. Confucius was fortunate enough to be born into a family belonging to the dynasty of the emperor Chou Chen-wang. His father, who was a general, was given the kingdom of Song and high title. Then the family became poorer and moved to the north of China. There he was born from the young concubine of his father Confucius.
His birth is said to be a miracle. Allegedly, a seventeen-year-old concubine gave birth to him on a high hill, under a mulberry tree. The baby was immediately washed in spring water after birth. After that, the source dried up. The father died when the boy was one and a half years old. The young mother and son lived very poorly together. She tried to instill a sense of dignity in the boy. He showed diligence, studied well, mastered the knowledge necessary for children from aristocratic families. Already at the age of 20, he began serving in the court of the we althy Ji family.
Over time, the Zhou empire became flawed: the people became impoverished, there were internecine wars. When Confucius' mother died, according to tradition, he had to take a three-year retirement in order to observe mourning. During these years, he studied ancient books, on the basis of which he created philosophical reflections that teach how to create a harmonious society.
At the age of 44, the sage became the ruler of the residence of the Principality of Lu, then worked in the judicial service. He wanted all people to know their duties. The philosopher did not like the policy of the state, he resigned and began to preach his doctrine. He returned to his native places, acquired students and published several books.
The concept of Confucianism
In the 3rd century AD, the Chinese turned to the teachings of Confucius. At the head of Chinese morality, the way of thinking of this people was Confucianism. The appearance of the civilization of the Celestial Empire was formed precisely thanks to this philosophy. She iscalls for the creation of a society with complete harmony. Each member of this world is destined for its place and its role. Loy alty became the basis of harmony between superiors and subordinates. Confucius called for the formation of five main qualities, without which it is impossible to talk about the righteousness of a person. It's about respect, justice, ritual, wisdom, decency.
Confucius already in those days created a scheme to achieve the goal. By following it, you can become a successful person. There are many philosophical schools in China, about 100. Confucianism refers to the human mind. Today, a temple has been built in the city of Qufu, where the philosopher's house used to be. The area is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Personal life and the last days of the Chinese genius
When Confucius was 19 years old, he married a girl from a noble family. In marriage, they had a son and a daughter. At 66, the thinker became a widower. He devoted more and more time to his followers. In 479 BC. e. he was gone.
In 1302, a Beijing temple was opened in memory of the philosopher. This is a huge complex with an area of 20,000 m2. Here, the names of 13 books of Confucius are carved on 189 stone steles.
Promotion of Chinese teachings in Europe
In the 17th century, the fashion for Eastern culture came to Europe. They talked about Confucius here too. Confucianism became widespread. Europeans began to support the notion that the path of mankind is in humility. The rational teaching of a genius appeals to the human mind.
Often, not only in China, celebrations are held in honor of Confucius. 1984 was marked by the holding of the International Festival of Confucian Culture. An educational award named after him has been established in China.
The concept of "noble husband" in Confucianism
Today you can freely purchase the books of Confucius: "Conversations and Judgments", "The Great Teaching", "Confucius on Love", "Confucius on Business". In the collection "Lunyu. Sayings" there are a lot of Confucius quotes about a noble husband. This term refers to the ideal person. A person should strive for perfection, a model. What did Confucius teach in his book? He idealizes the real person in human terms. By "noble husband" he means an attitude towards the aristocratic class and human perfection. The philosopher believes that this requires persistent spiritual work. Not only privileged individuals can become human perfection.
• A noble man blames himself, a small man blames others.
• A decent husband always thinks of virtue; a commoner thinks of convenience.
• A worthy husband meets the wrath and mercy of the highest with equal dignity.
• A generous husband thinks about his due. A short person thinks about what is profitable.
• A noble man thinks about the righteous path and does not think about food. He can work in the field and be hungry. He can devote himself to teaching, and receive generous rewards. But the noble man worries about the righteousway and not worry about poverty.
• A valiant husband thinks about the difficult. A short person thinks about what is profitable.
• A noble man lives in harmony with everyone, and a low man seeks his own kind.
The great sage believed that the poor and the rich should be brought up equally. The most important thing in this matter should be morality.
• A noble person does not ex alt anyone for speaking, but he does not reject speeches because of the one who speaks them.
• A noble husband does not strive to eat well and live richly. He is quick in business, but slow in speech.
• Associating with virtuous people, he corrects himself.
• A noble man devoted to learning.
Quotes about Junzi
"Noble man" in Chinese sounds like "Jun Tzu". Confucius believed that a person should show his best qualities throughout his life. Along with public administration, he put ethics. It greatly affects the state of affairs in society.
• A noble husband does not expect deceit from anyone, but when he is deceived, he is the first to notice it.
• A noble person is like a bell: if you don't strike it, it won't ring.
• A worthy citizen helps people see the good in themselves and does not teach people to see the bad in themselves. And the low man does the opposite.
• A noble man helps people see what is good in them and does not teach people to see what is bad in them. And the low man does the opposite.
Educated personalitywas supposed to be the backbone of the state. Such men are an example for others. They help people bring out the best in themselves. A real person is never endowed with rebellion, he is calm.
• The noble in his life should beware of three things: in youth, when the vitality is abundant, beware of being attracted to women; in maturity, when the vital forces are powerful, beware of rivalry; in old age, when vitality is scarce, beware of stinginess.
• The noble one meets the wrath and mercy of the higher ones with equal dignity.
• The noble thinks about what is due. A short person thinks about what is profitable.
• The noble knows his superiority, but avoids competition. He gets along with everyone but doesn't collude with anyone.
A worthy husband seeks justice, not profit. For such a person, according to Confucius, duty is above all. The philosopher rejects stubbornness, but justifies directness and firmness.
Great Confucius believed that Heaven can endow a person with perfect qualities: mercy, restraint, modesty, love for people, altruism. The philosopher encourages a true husband to study ancient books, to borrow the experience of his ancestors. Also, the thinker did not see the construction of an ideal society without humility and sincerity to the authorities, the ruler. The main principle of xiao was filial piety, the love of a son for his father.
