Confucius’ Wisdom: Timeless Virtues for Modern Life

5-26 Yan Yuan and Ji Lu served (1). Zi said, “Why don’t you (2) each say what you want.” Zi Lu said, “The original carriage and horses, light furs, and sharing with friends, I have no regrets.” Yan Yuan said, “I wish that there would be no cutting (3) good, no giving labor (4).” Zi Lu said, “I would like to hear about Zi’s aspiration.” Zi said, “The old man is at peace, the friend is trustworthy, and the young man is pregnant(5).”

[Notes

(1) Serving: to serve, standing by to accompany the honorable is called serving.

(2) qa: why not.

(3)伐：夸耀.

(4) Shi lao: Shi, confession. Labor, merit.

(5) The lesser conceived: let the lesser be cared for.

[Translation

Yan Yuan and Zi Lu both stood by Confucius. Confucius said, “Why don’t each of you tell us what you aspire to?” Zi Lu said, “I am willing to take out my own carriage, horse, clothes, and leather robe, and share them with my friends, and not complain when they are used up.” Yan Yuan said, “I am willing to refrain from boasting of my own strengths and confessing my own merits.” Zi Lu said to Confucius, “I am willing to listen to your ambition.” Confucius said, “(My ambition is) to make the old at ease, to make my friends trust me, and to make the young sons and daughters cared for.”

[Commentary

In this chapter, Confucius and his disciples describe their own aspirations, and mainly talk about their personal moral cultivation and attitudes towards the world. Confucius emphasized the cultivation of “benevolence” and demanded himself and his students to be strict in all aspects. From this paragraph, we can see that only Confucius’ ambition is closest to “benevolence”.

In one such exchange, captured in the Analects, Confucius discusses personal aspirations and moral principles with two of his most notable disciples, Yan Hui (Yen Yuan) and Zilu (Ji Lu). This conversation not only highlights the individual goals of his followers but also provides insight into Confucius’ own philosophy on life and virtue.

In the passage, Confucius asks Yan Hui and Zilu to share their personal aspirations. Zilu responds first, expressing his desire to share his possessions generously with his friends, without any regret if they are worn out. This sentiment reflects a deep commitment to friendship and communal sharing, emphasizing the importance of selflessness and loyalty.

Yan Hui follows, stating his wish to refrain from boasting about his own virtues or accomplishments. His humble attitude underscores the value of modesty and the avoidance of vanity, qualities highly esteemed in Confucian thought.

When Zilu inquires about Confucius’ own aspirations, the master replies with a vision that encapsulates his holistic approach to social harmony and personal integrity: “To provide comfort to the elderly, to earn the trust of my friends, and to care for the younger generation.” This statement reflects a profound sense of responsibility towards different segments of society, emphasizing care, trust, and benevolence.

This dialogue illustrates the core Confucian virtues of Ren (仁), often translated as “benevolence” or “humaneness.” Confucius believed that a person’s moral integrity and the cultivation of virtuous relationships were fundamental to achieving a harmonious society. His aspiration to care for the elderly, foster trust among friends, and nurture the young encapsulates the essence of Ren, which is the foundation of Confucian ethics.

In contemporary terms, these teachings remain highly relevant. The idea of sharing resources selflessly can be seen in modern philanthropic efforts and community service. The emphasis on humility and avoiding self-aggrandizement is pertinent in an age where social media often promotes vanity and self-promotion. Finally, the care for the elderly, trust among friends, and nurturing of the young resonate with current values of family support, loyalty, and mentorship.

Confucius’ wisdom encourages us to look beyond our immediate self-interests and consider the broader impact of our actions on our community and society. By adopting these timeless virtues, we can contribute to a more compassionate and interconnected world.