Center for Confucian Science

What if Confucius Comes to the USA?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Since my arrival in America, I have been observing American society by comparing with Confucius' ideal society. My question is if Confucius came to America today accompanied by his disciples, what he would say? At the border of the United States: He looks at the line of immigrants who want to cross the border into the United States. He would utter what a utopian country, since so many people from all quarters are anxious to immigrate to this country bearing their children on their backs. [Analects,13:4]

 

     25,000 years ago, the Master observed, "How numerous are the people!" His disciple asked, "Since they are thus numerous, what more shall be done for them? Enrich them! Enrich them! Enrich them!" was the Master's reply. And when they have been enriched, what more shall be done? The Master said, "Teach them! Teach them! Teach them!" [Analects,13:9]

 

     What a remarkable coincidence! Now, it is your turn to further enhance awareness of the importance of education Since America has been stressing education from 1920 by establishing the National Education Week for America, and in 1985 it was again proclaimed the American Education Week. On this occasion, it may be even better to propose to establish one for the world. The focus of the day would be to celebrate and promote education on a multicultural, and multinational basis. It would be a wonderful issue when you meet the Prime Minister of Japan next time to discuss with him, because the education-first policy in that country is well-known. A plural society: different people with different customs, The Master, when he entered the grand temple, asked about everything. Someone said, "Who will say that the son of the man of Zhou knows of the rules of propriety!" He has entered the grand temple and asks about everything. The Master heard the remark, and said, "This is a rule of propriety." [55] A multicultural nation: Yan Yuan asked how the government of a country should be administered. The Master said, "Follow the seasons of Xia. Ride the state carriage of Yin. Wear the ceremonial cap of Zhou. Let the music be the Shao with its pantomimes. Banish the songs of Zheng, and keep far from specious takers. The songs of Zheng are licentious; specious talkers are dangerous." [389]

 

     Regarding Discrimination, the Master said, "There should not be discrimination in education." [417]

 

     Regarding Human Rights, the Master said, "The commander of the forces of a large state may be carried off, but the will of even a common people cannot be taken from him." [230]

 

     What about Equality?, the Master said, "By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart." [436]

 

     What about Democratic Attitude? There were four things from which the Master was entirely free. He had not foregone conclusions, no arbitrary predeterminations, not obstinacy, and no egoism. [209]   The Master again said, "The superior person is affable, but not adulatory; the mean person is adulatory, but not affable." [325]

 

     Zigong said, "Suppose the case of a man extensively conferring benefits on the people, and able to assist all, what would you say of him? Might he be called perfectly virtuous?" The Master said, "Why speaks only of virtue in connection with him? Must he not have the qualities of a sage? Even Yao and Shun were still solicitous about this. Now the man of perfect virtue, wishing to be established hilmself, seeks also to establish others; wishing to be enlarged himself, he seeks also to enlarge others." To be able to judge of others by what is nigh in ourselves; -- this may be called the art of virtue. [147]

 

     Zilu asked what constituted the superior person. The Master said, "The cultivation of himself in reverential carefulness." "And is this all?," said Zilu. The Master said, "He cultivates himself so as to give rest to others," was the reply. "And is this all?", again asked Zilu. The Master said, "He cultivates himself so as to give rest to all the people. He cultivates himself so as to give rest to all the people: -- even Yao and Shun were still solicitous about this." [377]

 

     What about the Majority Rule? Mencius, having an interview with a king, adviced, When all those about you say, -- "This is a man of talents and worth," you may not for that believe it. When your great officers all say, -- "This is a man of talents and virtue," neither may you for that believe it. When all the people say, -- "This is a man of talents and virtue," then examine into the case, and when you find that the man is such, employ him. When all those about you say, -- "This man won't do," don't listen to them. When all your great officers say, -- "This man won't do," don't listen to them. When the people all say, -- "This man won't do," then examine into the case, and when you find that the man won't do, send him away. "When all those about you say, -- "This man deserves death," don't listen to them. When all your great officers say, -- "This man deserves death," don't listen to them. When the people all say, -- "This man deserves death," then inquire into the case, and when you see that the man deserves death, put him to death. In accordance with this we have the saying, "The people killed him. You must act in this way in order to be the parent of the people. [M : p.492]

 

     Regarding International politics: When Tang began his work of executing justice, he commenced with Ko, and though he punished eleven princes, he had not an enemy in the empire. When he pursued his work in the east, the tribes rule in the West lmurmured. So did those on the north, when he enaged in the south, their cry was -- "Why does he make us last?" Thus, the people's longing for him was like their loinging for rain in a time of great drought. The frequenters of the markets stopped not. Those engaged in weeding in the fields made no change in their operations. While he punished their rulers, he consoled the people. His progress was like the falling of opportune rain, and the people were delighted. It is said in the book of History, "We have waited for our prince. When our prince comes, we may escape from the punishments under which we suffer." [M : p.663]

 

     The Great Power and the Small Ones: The King Xuan of Qi asked, "Is there any way to regulate one's maintenance of intercourse with neighboing kingdoms?" Mencius replied, "There is. But it requires a perfectly virtuous prince to be able, with a great country, to serve a small one, -- as, for instance, Tang served Ge, and King Wan served the Kun barbarians. And it requires a wise prince to be able, with a small country, to serve a large one, -- as the King Tai served the Heun-yuh, and Gouzin served Wu. "He who with a great state serves a small one, delights in Heaven. He who with a small state serves a large one, stands in awe of Heaven. He who delights in Heaven, will affect with his love and protection for the whole empire. He who stands in awe of Heaven, will affect with his love and protection." It is said in the Book of Poetry, "I fear the majesty of Heaven, and will thus preserve its favoring decreed." The king said, "A great saying! But I have an infirmity; -- I love valor." [M : p.474]

 

     For the aged, the young, and the children. [Analects:117] Yan Yuan and Zilu being by his side, the Master said to them, "Come, let each of you tell his wishes." Zilu said, "I should like having chariots and horses and light fur dresses, to share them with my friends, and though they should spoil them, I would not be displeased." Yan Yuan said, "I should like not to boast of my excellence, nor to make a display of my meritorious deeds." Zilu then said, "I should like, sir, to hear your wishes." The Master said, "They are, in regard to the aged, to give them rest; in regard to friends, to show them sincerity; in regard to the young, to treat them tenderly."