Confucius's Wisdom Remains Relevant, Not

Confucius's wisdom remains relevant, not just as a window into Chines culture and history but also into current affairs. The human condition has changed little since the time of Confucius, evidenced by his teachings in The Great Learning and The Doctrine of the Mean. Both these texts address human psychology and social psychology, offering hints on how to change attitudes, outlooks, and behaviors in order to create a better world. From The Great Learning we read: "Virtue is the root; wealth is the result.

If he make the root his secondary object, and the result his primary, he will only wrangle with his people, and teach them rapine." All actions must stem from virtuous intentions. When we make money based on unethical actions, that money is like poison. A perfect example can be seen in the collapse of Enron.

Wealth was the root, and the company tried to present itself as "the most caring in the world." In The Great Learning, Confucius also offers more practical advice for personal finance management: "There is a great course also for the production of wealth. Let the producers be many and the consumers few. Let there be activity in the production, and economy in the expenditure. Then the wealth will always be sufficient." From this I learn that I can only save money when I make more than I spend.

The Doctrine of the Mean refers to a state of spiritual equilibrium, at which the individual is poised and truly happy. The state of equilibrium differs sharply from the highs of false happiness, which eventually lead to lows. "While there are no stirrings of pleasure, anger, sorrow, or joy, the mind may be said to be in the state of EQUILIBRIUM. When those feelings have been stirred, and they act in their due degree, there ensues what may be called the state of HARMONY.

This EQUILIBRIUM is the great root from which grow all the human actings in the world, and this HARMONY is the universal path which they all should pursue." Although difficult to achieve, I aim for this state of equilibrium. Also in The Doctrine of the Mean, Confucius states, "There is no body but eats and drinks. But they are few who can distinguish flavors." Taken literally, the statement rings true as many people stuff their faces with food without bothering to savor or think about what they eat.

In my life, I have tried to distinguish between healthy and tasty foods. The quote can also be taken symbolically, to refer to our ability to discern. Confucious is suggesting that we learn how to discern between ethical actions and even between people." Another quote from The Doctrine of the Mean, which applies to my life, is as follows: "The way which the superior man pursues, reaches wide and far, and yet is secret." I have never wanted to become famous, but have wanted to achieve great things.

The most important thing is to achieve goals with an ethical foundation and not to become a celebrity. Confucius's writings teach us how to best hone our minds and behaviors. The teachings also illustrate what Chinese culture was like during the time of Confucius. For example, in The Great Learning, Confucius refers to kingdoms and rulers. He refers to specific rulers: "Yao and Shun led on the kingdom with benevolence and the people followed them.

Chieh and Chau led on the kingdom with violence, and people followed them." Confucius also refers to Chinese gender roles. Women were in charge of household duties, while men were in charge of politics: "This girl is going to her husband's house. She will rightly order her household.' Let the household be rightly ordered,.