Friday, November 26, 2010

Nine-point Gentleman

Confucius describes a true gentleman (a chun-tzu, or one replete with virtue) in the following manner -

`For a perfect gentleman there are nine considerations. These are:
  • a desire to see clearly when he looks at something;
  • a desire to hear every detail when listening to something;
  • a desire to present a tranquil countenance;
  • a desire to preserve an attitude of respect;
  • a desire to be sincere in his words;
  • a desire to be careful in his work;
  • a willingness to enquire further into anything about which he has doubts;
  • a willingness to bear in mind the difficulties consequent on anger;
  • a willingness to consider moral values when presented with the the possibility of profit.`
(The Analects of Confucius, chapter 16)

His maxim on governance:


`Guidance by morality; control by ceremony`

Virtues: Benevolence, loyalty, ceremony, bravery, faith, frugality
Its interesting to note that the modern Japanese dropped `benevolence`; modern Chinese dropped `Loyalty`  (Morishima 1982)

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Confucianism Principles of Moral Thought and Action - http://www.patheos.com/Library/Confucianism/Ethics-Morality-Community/Principles-of-Moral-Thought-and-Action.html

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