Wisdom of Confucius vs modern day confusions

Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (Kong Fuzi, or K'ung-fu-tzu, lit. "Master Kong", 551-478 BC). It is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought that has had tremendous influence on the culture and history of East Asia. It might be considered a state religion of some East Asian countries, because of governmental promotion of Confucian philosophies.

Cultures and countries strongly influenced by Confucianism include mainland China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Vietnam, as well as various territories settled predominantly by Chinese people, such as Singapore.

In Confucianism, human beings are teachable, improvable and perfectible through personal and communal endeavour especially including self-cultivation and self-creation. A main idea of Confucianism is the cultivation of virtue and the development of moral perfection. Confucianism holds that one should give up one's life, if necessary, either passively or actively, for the sake of upholding the cardinal moral values of ren and yi.

A statue of Confucius

Tai Chi is an ancient art with many of its fundamental principles reflecting ancient Chinese wisdom. Tai chi students are often told to study the classics of Tai Chi and the works of Ancient sages. Confucius is one such sage whose wisdom quotes are even relevant today in the context of the 21st century modernism.

The following are some of his gems of wisdom and the truth in them are everlasting spotlights shedding light in to our mind's by lanes where we grope in the depths of darkness.

* Neglect of what is good in me; want of thoroughness in study; failure to do the right when told me; lack of strength to overcome faults, these are my sorrows.

* Without truth I know not how man can live. A cart without a cross pole, a carriage without a harness, how could they be moved?

* At sight of worth, think to grow like it. When evil meets thee, search thine own heart.

* Unruly when young, unmentioned as a man, undying when old, spells good-for-nothing!

* Respect yourself and others will respect you.

* Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

* Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it.

* To learn and practice what is learned from time to time is pleasure, is it not? To have friends from afar is happiness, is it not? To be unperturbed when not appreciated by others is a gentleman, is it not?

* Silence is the true friend that never betrays.

* If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it as sincerely to the love of the virtuous if, in serving his parents, he can exert his utmost strength if, in serving his prince, he can devote his life if in his intercourse with his friends, his words are sincere - although men say that he has not learned, I will certainly say that he has.

* Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

* What is the sound of one hand clapping?

* Whosesoever you go, go with all your heart.

* Good is no hermit. It ever hasneighbors.

* The way to do is to be.

* Perspective - The participant's perspectives are clouded while the bystander's views are clear.

* Patience - Pick the flower when it is ready to be picked.

* Courage - If you don't go into the cave of the tiger, how are you going to get its cub?

* Tradition- Follow the local custom when you go to a foreign place.

* Nature - It is impossible to change your basic characteristics.

* Wisdom- Once bitten by a snake, you are even frightened by a rope that resembles a snake.

* Perspective - Your neighbor's wife looks prettier than your own.

* Life - When you go up to the mountain too often, you will eventually encounter the tiger.

* Nature - Elephant tusks cannot grow out of a dog's mouth.

* Nature - When the tiger comes down from the mountain to the plains, it is bullied by the dogs.

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