Books 12-14

It was in book 12 where I notice the true importance that the master has for the ¨rituals¨ when he states the following: ¨Do not look unless it is accordance with ritual; do not speak unless it is in accordance with ritual; do not move unless it is in accordance with ritual.¨(12.1). I´m guessing that this ritual is the sum of the entire Confucian teachings. It must be very hard for a common person to be aware of it at all times, during every one of his actions. I assume that this is also why the master says that a person who is truly good, will accomplish this effortlessly.

Book 13 focuses allot on proper ways of governing. One of the best answers that I found for the subject was, ¨When a ruler is correct, his will is put into effect without the need for official orders. When the ruler´s person not correct, he will not be obeyed no matter how many orders he issues.¨ This was basically a response for the Duke´s who came to the master looking for help in defining a real leader. According to him, a ruler who follows who loves ritual propriety will automatically have an almost perfect society.

Book 14 has probably been the book that I have understood the most of, making it also be the most influential book until now. I cannot share all the the lessons, so I chose my favorite ones. ¨Those who possess virtue will inevitably have something to say, whereas those who have something to say do not necessarily posses virtue. Those who are good will necessarily display courage, but those who display courage are not necessarily good.¨ (14.4). This tells us that by mastering a major value such as virtue or goodness, you will immediately obtain smaller values such as speech or courage. The next lesson is at the end of the chapter, when the gate keeper asks Zilu: ¨Isn´t Confucius the one who knows that what he does is impossible and yet persists anyway? ¨ (14.38). This reminds of the Nike logo, ¨Impossible is nothing¨ because you only need time and dedication to accomplish something that might not seem possible at first, but ends up being the opposite.