The Way of Martial Arts
M O N T H LY
INTERACTIVE
B Y
LESSONS
M A S T E R
TO
HELP
IMPROVE
E R I C
YOUR
DA I LY
LIFE
S B A R G E
Lesson 37
Confucius Says…
When someone is parodied and imitated so much that it becomes hard
to distinguish the original from the parody, at a minimum that person likely
has some influence. In the case of Confucius, he has influenced far more than what is written in fortune cookies. He
has in fact influenced the very success and fortunes of
entire civilizations.
Born in 551 B.C., Confucius was a Chinese thinker and
philosopher who was raised in poverty by his widowed
mother. He achieved his fame and influence through his
own intelligence, hard work and perseverance – and later he
would be a strong proponent of merit superseding nobility for advancement
and promotion.
Among his greatest philosophical contributions was the belief that
morals, social structure, integrity and knowledge were intertwined and
essential: No society could flourish if its citizens were ignorant or immoral
or if the people failed to fulfill their proper roles within the social structure.
He is regarded by Chinese and East Asians in general as
the “teacher of teachers,” and in fact schools close on his
birthday to honor him and highlight the essential
nature of education.
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT TO US
Aside from the fact that we live in a society that values education,
advancement according to merit, and law and order, as traditional
martial artists Confucianism is important to us. Wu-de is at the core of our
kung fu training, and Confucianism is at the core of Wu-de.
Wu-de dictates that we exhibit respect, honor, loyalty and acceptance of
our roles within the training hall – all ideals espoused by Confucius.
Confucius understood Taoist thought, and reportedly believed in the power
of the Tao and the notion that we inherently and instinctively know how to
behave and act in harmony with nature. But he recognized that for the
good of the family, organization and society, clearly defined guidelines
should be established and laid out for us to follow.
A
S E L E C T I O N O F A P H O R I S M S AT T R I B U T E D T O
CONFUCIUS
Confucius himself said that he wasn’t original in his thinking; he simply
promoted and spread the collective wisdom of the generations before him.
The sayings and lessons from Confucius that we have today most certainly
weren’t written by Confucius himself, but rather were created by his later
disciples and followers.
Following are many of the most profound aphorisms, some of which
you’ve likely heard before, but each of which I believe merits reflection and
contemplation.
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is
noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and Third by experience,
which is the bitterest.
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.
-2-
Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their
affairs.
He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn
towards it.
He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not
learn is in great danger.
He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words
good.
Heaven means to be one with God.
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the center of your
being.
I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me; I will be concerned at not knowing other men.
If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my
teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and
the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.
If we don't know life, how can we know death?
If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what
is there to worry about? What is there to fear?
If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it's OK. But you've got to
shoot for something. A lot of people don't even shoot.
If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years,
plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.
In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In
a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.
-3-
Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to
think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you
are not known, see to being worthy of being known.
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole
scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad
things are very easy to get.
It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.
Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe
his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!
Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.
Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front
stall as spectator.
Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.
Silence is a true friend who never betrays.
Study the past, if you would divine the future.
-4-
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
The book salesman should be honored because he brings to our attention, as a rule, the very books we need most and neglect most.
The cautious seldom err.
The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would
perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.
The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have
their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to
them.
The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.
The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his
world and the world at large.
The object of the superior man is truth.
The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.
The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.
The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not
distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.
To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.
To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.
To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue;
these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.
Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
-5-
Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which
they submit by the boredom which they inspire.
We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.
When anger rises, think of the consequences.
When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the
goals, adjust the action steps.
When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it
were for yourself.
When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not
know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge.
Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized
moral qualities of men.
Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from
beasts?
You cannot open a book without learning something.
E X E R C I S E
Each day for the next few days, choose one of the above quotes from
Confucius that strikes a chord with you, and throughout the day be mindful
of how you can better implement his advice.
A S S I G N M E N T
Describe any specific Wu-de guidelines that you are aware we follow at
The Peaceful Dragon that you feel are rooted in the teachings of
Confucius.Send your thoughts to me at [email protected].
Please put “Lesson 37” in the subject line.
R E C O M M E N D E D
R E A D I N G
The Confucian Analects: The Great Learning and the Doctrine of the
Mean
Translated and with notes and commentary by James Legge
You will likely find this to be the most authoritative yet accessible translation of the Analects attributed to Confucius. You can simply enjoy
Confucius’s many explanations and aphorisms for what they are, or you can
also study the detailed historical and linguistic notes and references provided by the translator.
SSSS
Every month a book or article will be suggested by Master Sbarge.
Reading about topics related to the arts you are training in will help you get
the most out of your practice. Just remember that reading can never replace
your practice! Each month’s recommended reading is purely optional,
though Master Sbarge may on rare occasion ask that you do read a particular book.
For additional reading suggestions by Master Sbarge, go to
http://www.thepeacefuldragon.com/books.shtml.
Note: All Peaceful Dragon students are urged to complete monthly
assignments because they are important for you to fully benefit from
your training. Master Sbarge reads every single student's lesson responses every month, and will periodically respond or comment on them.