The Written World

In Confucius's view, the chaos of the present had infected even the meaning of words -

When names are not correct, what is said will not sound reasonable;

When what is said does not sound reasonable, affairs will not culminate in success;

When affairs do not culminate in success, rites and music do not flourish;

In Confucius's view, the chaos of the present had infected even the meaning of words -

When rites and music do not flourish, punishments will not fit the crimes;

When punishments do not fit the crime, the common people will not know where to put their hands and feet.

His most intense teaching moment occurred just before his death, in 399 B.C.E., in prison, 

when he told his students that philosophy was nothing other than a preparation for dying.

( Seeing distress among his students )

Socrates: " You have a childish fear that when the soul goes out from the body the wind will really blow it away and scatter it, especially if a man happens to die in a high wind and not calm weather "

Cebes: " Assume that we have that fear, Socrates, and try to convince us; or rather do not assume that we are afraid, but perhaps there is a child within us, who has such fears. "

Cebes: " Let us try to persuade him not to fear death as if it were a hobgoblin "

" Ahh," Socrates " You must sing charms to him every day until you charm away his fear "

These are a few highlights and ideas/stashes from Chapter 4, Learning From the Buddha, Confucius, Socrates, and Jesus from the Book The Written World by MARTIN PUCHNER. 

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