An Uncomplicated Confusion

Posted by Mina Drezner on 5:09 PM

In this segment of Confucius I finally understand the entrance of a character I didn’t understand before. Zulu, being one of Confucius disciples is introduced as such in a conversation with a “stranger”. Not only do we find out who Zulu is but we see that Confucius is also known as Confucius of Lu. The appearance of Zulu makes me wonder if the book is like the Bhagavad Gita which is based in the teaching through a long conversation. Perhaps the writing form is not the same at all but the idea is surely similar. Confucius passing his essentials through his worthy disciple in order for him to excel and tell the world sounds very similar to Bhagavad Gita.
As expected, the book of Confucius deals with one of the most important dilemmas in moral history. Who to judge?:
“When the multitude hates a person you must examine them and judge for yourself. The same holds true for someone whom the multitude love.” (Confucius Essentials. 15.28)
Basically what the citation states is that one must not go with what the multitude believes. You must judge a person by yourself, and not judge what the multitude thinks of that person. You must pick by yourself if you hate or love, don’t follow the crowd. As well one must not judge only those who are hated, one must also carefully examine those who as loved. Measure the value of their hearts and what makes them fall unto that stereotype.

Up to now what surprises me the most about the book is the form it is written in. The teachings are not very analytical and the author does not go into depth of what is being said. The depth and importance is left up to us. Just like the bible, thanks to it one is welcome to interpretation. But the broadness is so big that differences and conflicts tend to emerge. The space for interpretation makes the book long.

Books like these are made to read, ponder, and in this case write about it.
Sounds like a tacky love song. 

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