Factoid Lesson Plan of the Day: Confucius Analects - 4 - Learn From the Past - Avoid Waste

4 - Learn From The Past, 7-23 Be Open, 7-26 Respect All Living Things, 7-35 Avoid Waste

7-1 The Master said: "A teller and not a maker, one who trusts and loves the past. I may be likened to our old P'eng." Inference: Learn from the past.

7-23 The Master said: "My boys, do ye think that I hide things from you? I hide nothing. One who keeps from his boys naught that he does, such is Ch'iu.

Inference: Be open to all. Hide nothing.

7-26 The Master angled, but he did not fish with a net; he shot, but not at birds sitting.

Inference: Respect all living things.

7-35 The Master said: "Waste begets self-will; thrift begets meanness, but better be mean than self-willed."

Inference: Avoid waste. Thrift is better than waste.

Critical Questions

How can we learn from the past and what happens if we ignore the lessons from the past?

Why should we be open and why is this difficult?

How do cultures differ in respecting all living things?

Why should we avoid waste?

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

WHY IS THE PAST A VALUABLE TOOL?

WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF WASTE?

Additional Internet Research Links For This Lesson:

Confucius and Waste

http://www.memorablequotations.com/confucius.htm

Confucius and Learning From the Past

http://www.som.org/8interfaith/confucius.htm

Do Not Be Afraid, 8-8 Respect The Arts, 8-10 Temper Justice With Mercy, 8-11 Avoid Pride

8-3 When Tseng-tzu lay sick he summoned his disciples and said: Uncover my feet, uncover my arms. The poem says:

"As though a deep gulf

Were yawning below,

As crossing thin ice,

Take heed how ye go."

Till this day, and beyond, I have walked, unscathed, my boys."

Inference: Go through life without being afraid.

8-8 The Master said: "Poetry rouses, courtesy upholds us, music is our crown."

Inference: Respect the Arts

8-10 The Master said: "Love of daring, inflamed by poverty, leads to crime: a man without love, if deeply ill-treated, will turn to crime.

Inference: There are two interpretations here;

Temper justice with mercy

A poor man has much in common with a man without love regardless of wealth.

8-11 The Master said: "All the glorious gifts of the Duke of Chou, if coupled with pride and meanness, would not be worth one glance."

Inference: Avoid pride; it lessens your stature.

Critical Questions

Why should we go through life not being afraid?

Why should we respect the Arts?

How should we temper justice with mercy?

Why should we avoid pride?

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

WHY IS BEING AFRAID A WASTE OF TIME?

HOW IS A MAN WITHOUT LOVE, BUT WEALTHY, THE SAME AS A POOR MAN?

Additional Internet Research Links For This Lesson:

Confucius and Courage

http://www.sacred-texts.com/shi/bsd/bsd09.htm

Confucius and Pride

http://www.comparative-religion.com/confucianism/the_analechts/analechts_chapter13.php