THE GREAT ONES
Confucius
V.K. SUBRAMANIAN
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The sayings of Confucius (551 B.C. - 478 B.C.) have become mankind's ethical code.
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Confucius, the greatest Chinese philosopher, can be considered one of the most influential persons in human history, as his ideas have influenced not only the culture and civilisation of China, but the whole world.
The wise sayings of Confucius have become mankind's ethical code.
Examples: "There are three marks of a superior man: being virtuous, he is free from anxiety, being wise, he is free from perplexity, being brave he is free from fear."
"What you don't like when done to yourself, do not do to others."
"Have no friends not equal to yourself."
"He who learns but does not think is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger."
"Wisdom, compassion and courage are the three universally recognised moral qualities of men."
Confucius spent his life teaching his ethical and philosophic principles to his students, wandering from place to place. He was on the lookout for a ruler who would put into practice what he preached, but he could not find one till his death.
Once Confucius and his disciples found an old woman crying beside a grave. On questioning, the woman said that a tiger had killed her husband, her husband's father and now her son.
"Why then do you live in this dangerous place?" asked Confucius.
"Because there is no oppressive government here," she replied.
Confucius told his students: "Remember oppressive government is worse than a tiger."
This is an extract from the book The Great Ones by V.K.Subramanian, Abhinav Publications, New Delhi
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