Confucian Values and Modern Life

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1Summary 重點摘要

Founded by Confucius, Confucianism teaches benevolence, propriety, filial piety and reciprocity. The Analects' 'do not impose on others what you do not want yourself' teaches empathy, and 'among any three walking, one can be my teacher' teaches humility. Applied to family, school and society, these ancient values still guide modern life.

2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary

3Step by step Steps

1. Step 1: Meet Confucius and The AnalectsExample: Confucius was born in 551 BC, a thinker and educator of the Spring and Autumn period who, tradition says, taught three thousand disciples, seventy-two of them outstanding. His disciples recorded the dialogues between Confucius and his students and compiled them into The Analects — 'to learn and practise in season, is it not a joy?' opens the very first chapter. The Analects holds wisdom on conduct, study and dealing with affairs, and has shaped Chinese culture for over two thousand years. Confucius also taught 'education for all without distinction', holding that everyone, rich or poor, deserves schooling; he accepted pupils only for their eagerness to learn — a remarkable idea over two millennia ago.
2. Step 2: Understand what ren meansExample: when a classmate falls, your first move is to help him up, not to laugh; when a classmate needs help, you offer a hand — benevolence is love and understanding welling up from the heart. Confucius saw ren as the core of all virtues, beginning with caring for the people around us and reaching out to wider circles. A little more understanding and goodwill in daily life is where practising ren begins. Look at the written form: ren combines 'person' and 'two', hinting at how people should treat one another; Confucians also say the benevolent love others, starting with parents and siblings and reaching outwards to friends and the wider community.
3. Step 3: Practise li in daily lifeExample: never jump a queue, knock before entering an office, put things down and listen attentively when elders speak, and let elders start eating first at the table — these are the marks of li. Li is not rigid rules but words and deeds of respect rising from the heart. Courteous people make others feel comfortable and respected and keep society in good order. Manners grow from small acts, and day by day they become part of one's character. At school, li also includes letting teachers go first into the lift, saying 'may I ask' before questioning, and receiving things with both hands; such small details are respect flowing naturally from the heart.
4. Step 4: Feel the depth of xiaoExample: when Mum comes home late from overtime, serve her a bowl of soup, say 'you've worked hard', and tidy up your own schoolwork so she need not worry — filial piety is not only providing materially but caring thoughtfully. Confucius taught that xiao must include jing, respecting and understanding parents' hearts, not merely supplying their needs. Filial devotion starts small: greetings, sharing housework and taking good care of yourself are all part of it. Xiao extends further, as Mencius said: honour your own elders and then all elders — carry the same respect to the elderly in society, such as offering seats on the bus or joining visits to care homes.
5. Step 5: Apply 'do not impose on others'Example: disliking mean nicknames, never give them to classmates; disliking queue-jumpers, wait in line yourself — putting yourself in another's place is the way of shu. This saying from The Analects teaches us, before doing anything, first to imagine how the other person feels. When people understand each other, friction falls away and classrooms and society both grow more harmonious. The rule applies online too: disliking mocking comments ourselves, we should not leave cruel words under other people's posts; before pressing send, first imagine how the receiver feels.
6. Step 6: Learn humbly — 'one of the three is my teacher'Example: in a group project one classmate organises sources quickly and neatly while another designs slides beautifully — each has a strength. Confucius said, 'When three walk together, one can be my teacher,' meaning that among any companions someone is always worth learning from. Ask the two classmates humbly and you improve too. Put aside rivalry and envy, appreciate others' strengths, and the road of learning grows wider. The saying continues: follow their good points and correct your own failings — where others excel, learn; where they fall short, check whether you share the fault; learning then becomes far more complete.
7. Step 7: Remember 'err and do not fear to amend'Example: finding a wrong answer in an exam, admit it and correct your method; damaging a classmate's stationery by accident, apologise and make it up at once. The Analects says, 'When you err, do not fear to amend' — having made a mistake, do not be afraid to correct it. Owning and mending mistakes is not shameful; it is the honest, responsible character of a true gentleman. Only those willing to change keep improving and win others' trust. Confucius's pupil Yan Hui was praised for never repeating a mistake; the key to correcting errors is finding their cause — if a wrong sum came from skipping the check, improve precisely on that next time.

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8Recap Recap

• Confucius, thinker and educator of the Spring and Autumn period, had his words compiled into The Analects.
• The core of Confucianism: ren (love), li (respect), xiao (filial devotion) and zhong-shu (wholeheartedness and reciprocity).
• 'Do not impose on others what you do not desire' teaches empathy in all things.
• 'Among three walking, one is my teacher' teaches humility; 'err and do not fear to amend' teaches honest correction.
• Confucian culture shapes East Asia; filial devotion, honesty, respect and love of learning are timeless foundations.