Student ______________________________
The Wisdom of Confucius
Confucius, the great philosopher of China, developed a
moral system to guide people in the good way of life. His
teachings advocated behavior that showed obedience and
respect for superiors such as family members, ancestors, or
leaders. Confucius believed that humans are inherently
social beings. Adherence to conventions or rituals would
ensure harmony. Correct behavior within the framework of
a set of relationships was necessary to advance harmonious
interactions. The subordinate person was always to learn
from the superior person in the relationship. At the same
time, the superior person had a responsibility to those below
him.
1. List the five key relationships that Confucius emphasized. (in notes)
2. Why did Confucius feel that these relationships were necessary?
3. Would Confucius agree or disagree with the following? Explain.
a. Patriarchy
b. Equality
c. Education
d. Nepotism (giving jobs to family members regardless of merit)
e. Respect for family
Selections from Confucian Analects
Directions: In your own words, explain the meaning of each quote. List any Confucius
values that connect to each saying.
The Master said…
1. In strolling in the company of just two other persons, I am bound to find a
teacher. Identifying their strengths, I follow them, and identifying their
weaknesses, I reform myself accordingly.
2. Exemplary persons understand what is appropriate; petty persons understand
what is of personal advantage.
3. Exemplary persons make demands on themselves, while petty persons make
demands on others.
4. Among those who are filial toward their parents and fraternal toward their
brothers, those who are inclined to offend against their superiors are few indeed.
Among those who are disinclined to offend against their superiors, there have
never been any who are yet inclined to create disorder.
5. Lead them by means of regulations and keep order among them through
punishments, and the people will evade them and will lack any sense of shame.
Lead them through moral force and keep order among them through rites, and
they will have a sense of shame and will also correct themselves.
6. You have perfect virtue if you can practice five things in the world:
respectfulness, generosity, truthfulness, earnestness, and kindness. If you are
respectful, you will not be treated with disrespect. If you are generous, you will
win people. If you are truthful, you will be trusted. If you are earnest, you will be
successful. If you are kind, you will be able to employ the services of others.
Student ____________________________________
Three Schools of Thought in China
Directions: Read each quote and decide if the quote would have been written by a follower of
Confucianism, Daoism, or Legalism and explain why.
1. “The ancient kings had a perfect virtue and all-embracing rule of conduct, through which
they were in accord with all under heaven.”
2. “In the state of an intelligent ruler, there are no books, but the laws serve as teachings.”
3. “Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace.”
4. “There are four things in the moral life of a person, not one of which I have been able to
carry out in my life. To serve my parents as I would expect my children to serve me; that I
have not been able to do. To act toward my elder siblings as I would expect my younger
siblings to act toward me: that I have not been able to do. To be the first to behave toward
friends, as I would expect them to behave toward me: that I have not been able to do.”
5. “Colors blind the eye. Sounds deafen the ear. Flavors numb the taste. Thoughts weaken the
mind. Desires wither the heart.”
6. “A dull blade must be ground and whetted, to make it sharp. Similarly human nature, being
evil must have…justice added to it before men can be orderly.”