A Life Style

The Analects are a complex set of rules and ideas that not only represent a way of idealistic thought but a lifestyle. It covers a great amount of aspects that must be taking in to count when ruling. We see that he mentions how to rule a state here: “One governs a state by means of ritual.” (p.33) it includes mostly everything to create a perfect society in which everyone was treated equally (according to their needs) and had their own job which was to follow the Confucian way and in this way help society be a better place. This might sound idealistic but it makes it clear that people aren’t perfect or equal and that there are special circumstances in which people do need different things. We see this here: “The Master said, “Ran Qiu is overly cautious and so I wished to urge him on. Zilu on the other hand, is too impetuous, and so I sought to hold him back.” He treated them differently for their needs were different but always with the same spirit and intentions of doing good to people. This is what I believe a state must also have according to Confucius. Although he doesn’t say this in an obvious way he makes it clear through his actions.
Confucius was a wise man and he helped us see a way of living that was possible and in which everyone aspired to perfection but unlike today’s society no one had to go down for another to go up. Instead we find that wealth is in the spirit and true goodness. Also that instead of doing like today’s society he proposed that everyone raised and helped each other do so in order to reach happiness as a group. This book isn’t just for personal good but a manual that all most follow in order to create a utopia. Sadly his voice was lost not because it wasn’t good but because people didn’t understand. “The master said, “The common people can be made to follow it but they cannot be made to understand it.”” (p.23 8.9)