The Teachings Of A Sage- Confucius Books 4-6

Virtue, Goodness, the Ways, all terms I have heard of but never really understood. Confucius seems to me to be a master of wisdom and Goodness who instructs his disciples in ways they might become Good. As I read through his teachings, though, the passages reminded me of the Bible, or at least a book in the Bible. It brought to mind Proverbs. One of the first passages the master says was, “If one does not choose to dwell among those who are Good, how will one obtain wisdom?” (Confucius pg.10) I was instantly reminded of the proverb passage, “Those who walk with the wise, becomes wiser still but the companion of fools suffers harm.” (Proverbs 13:20) Both of these books seem to be trying to reach out to people and instruct them on the path to Goodness and in the Bible’s case, Godliness. When the Master is confronted with questions about wisdom and Goodness, he responds with his teachings. “The wise take joy in rivers, while the Good take joy in mountains. The wise are active, while the Good are still! The wise are joyful, while the Good are long lived.” (Confucius pg.18) It seems the master has attained Goodness and wishes only that his students might learn from him and become as him. Some people mentioned that these Analects were more direct, but I might disagree. While neither are absolutely direct, the Analects seem to leave more room for interpretation. The Bible also does so but in many cases it is as direct and simple as possible. Follow what God says. Read the Bible and you will know what to do with your life. It’s very simple and easy to understand whereas some of the Analects confused quite a bit. “A gu that is not a proper gu- is it really a gu? Is it really a gu?”(Confucius pg. 18) I’m not really sure what to take from that.