Vladimir Oane's Key Ideas from The Analects
by Confucius

Most of Confucius' ideas need these prerequisites for understanding their context:

• Culture. A set of practices and traditions that enrich everyday life and create stability in society.
• Hierarchy. But Confucius views them as dynamic, not static. There are a lot of ideas about social mobility in Confucius. But it all depends on meritocracy, rule by the able.

According to the great Chinese philosopher the steps for a elevating yourself are:

• Investigation of things
• Extension of knowledge
• Sincerity of thought
• Rectification of the mind
• Cultivation of the person
• Regulation of the family
• Order in the state
• Pace ☮️ through the land

1. Wisdom
2. Benevolence
3. Courage

These could be learned through the mastery of the 6 arts: ☕ ceremony, 🪕 music, 🏹 archery, 🐴charioteering, 🖋️ calligraphy and 🧮 math.

Confucius says you should critique yourself in 3 ways on a daily basis:

• Did I somehow fail to work conscientiously for others?
• Did I somehow let my friends down?
• Did I somehow fail to practice what I had learned?

If governing is done through laws & penalties, people will refrain from crimes, but it will be out of fear of punishment, not out of shame.

If governing is done through virtue and proper behaviour, people will have a sense of shame and will behave themselves.

One of Confucius students wanted to eliminate a goat from an ancient sacrificial ceremony that has lost its significance.

Confucius replied "You care about the goat. I care about the ceremony."

Confucius said: "I transmit ideas rather than creating them. I believe in the principles of the ancient sage's and take delight in their culture. And I privately emulate the great minister of the Shang dynasty."

For Confucius, culture was more about understanding and respecting the classics rather than revolutionary creativity.

A student asked Confucius about benevolence. He replied:

• "When interacting with people in society treat them as you would an important guest.
• When employing people do so with the same gravity as you would while performing an important ceremony.
• Do not treat others how you don't like to be treated.
• In this way you not provoke grievances no matter what you work."

The Golden Rule can be found in almost all philosophies, ethical systems or religions. It is a universal idea.