Try Things The Hard Way- Confucius Books 7, 8, and 11

Although this topic does not recur much throughout the Analects, it caught my eye more and made me think. The Master said, “Eating plain food and drinking water, having only your bent arm as a pillow- surely there is joy to be found in this! Wealth and eminence attained improperly concern me no more than the floating clouds.” (Confucius pg.20) It made me think of modern society and the basis of social status we all desire to attain. The Master enjoyed simplicity much more than wealth and power.

Nowadays people believe the most important aspect of life is what others think of you and where you are in the world. If you are rich and powerful you doing pretty good for yourself, whereas if you are poor and humble you are a disgrace to society. As our technology expands and advances it seems we are finding new and easier ways to do everything but sometimes, maybe it’s better that we do things the hard way rather than attempt to find a way to make it easier on ourselves.

Iv’e heard that someday we will all have floating chairs or some kind of transportation which will enable us all to never have to stand or walk around. Honestly that does not sound in the least bit appealing to me at all. I would rather walk to school or work rather than take the bus or car. Maybe sometimes as the Master points out, it is better when it is simple and humble.