Analect Second Part: Counterexamples \"Not

Analect

Second Part: Counterexamples

"not meddling in the affairs of others." It may seem admirable not to meddle in the affairs of others, yet imagine that a man was walking down the street and he saw a young child being raped in an alleyway by a thug. The man wants to interfere in this affair, but he is afraid that physical harm will come to him, so he runs away. In this case, it is despicable cowardice which inspires the man not to meddle in the affairs of others, because his self (which he was not centering on) wanted to interfere if he had not been afraid.

Regarding not meddling in the affairs of others, this is linked to an admirable self-centeredness in my mind because generally a person who does not obsessess over the actions of otehrs will be less likely to try to control them. However, it should be clarified (this story points out) that self-centeredness is only admirable in a situation where the self is attune to its higher self and balances the welfare of the body with the welfare of the soul. This man's conscious will suffer more harm than his body ever would, if he walks away and does nothing.

2. "Intensely aware of one's own purpose."

Being intensely aware of one's self is a virtue taught by many. Imagine, if you can, an ascetic monk who denies himself every wish he has, and hates his flesh and soul for the sake of Christ, and who spends his entire life in service to others -- in his mediitaions, he too might be intensely aware of his purpose to serve, but he is not self-centered.