The Analects of Confucius

The Analects of Confucius were one of the first pieces we read in class and one that has stuck with me. We discussed in class the deeper meaning of each of the different statements and as to how they are “rules” in life. In this paper, I want to discuss Book 1 and how it was comprised of the themes of Confucius’ teaching. Confucius was an active leader and in The Analects of Confucius, he describes attributes of leaders along with how he observed different individuals.

He acts as a role model by setting the right example to bystanders. Developing the qualities of a leader takes time, effort, self-observation and open-mindedness.

The Analects included many of Confucius’ core themes that he taught. He examined individuals and as to how they took on their role in society of making a positive impact as a leader. He often used the words, “gentleman”, “young man”, and “educated man”. Confucius used these words to help the reader understand that this individual was far more superior in society and acted as a role model to others and setting a good example.

Confucius shows in statement four that he examines himself every day on three points, “in acting on behalf of others, have I always been loyal to their interest? In intercourse with my friends, have I always been true to my word? Have I failed to repeat the precepts that have been handed down to me?” (The Analects of Confucius, Book One).

Confucius makes it a point to notice that you may be born a leader but you need to have principles in your everyday life to uphold your standards as this leader figure in life.

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Part of statement eleven reads, “While a man’s father is alive, you can only see his intentions; it is when his father dies that you discover whether or not he is capable of carrying them out.” (The Analects of Confucius, Book One). When I looked up the qualities of a leader on Google, an article came up with ten statements about the qualities of a good leader. Number 10 is about improving. “True leadership seeks continuous improvement. Leaders have the ability to turn the people in their teams into stars, people who have improved and developed their skills through the influence of their leader” (game-learn.com). It is not only about what you can do as a leader it’s what you do to become the best that you can be. With that, Confucius pointed out that the good qualities of a man will continue to shine when there is no one around to watch. Will the good qualities carry out when you have no one to show them off to?

Confucius emphasizes that a good leader will continue on their path without worrying about what others think of them. By focusing on your qualities as a leader and not worrying about what others are saying about you, your natural leadership will fall into place. “The Master said, (The good man) does not grieve that other people do not recognize his merits. His only anxiety is lest he should fail to recognize theirs.” Confucius believed in self-observation with the values of open-mindedness and self-criticism. He had help in becoming aware of himself and his limits. He knew that it was not important for others to notice his good deeds, but he did worry that he would not notice others. He had been taught, as a leader, to observe what is going on around him, acknowledge others, and encourage them to be leaders as well.

Confucius observes what a man does to find out about new countries policies. As stated in statement ten, “When our master arrives in a fresh county he always manages to find out about its policy. Does he do this by asking questions, or do people tell him of their own accord? Tzu-Kung said, Our Master gets things by being cordial, frank, courteous, temperate, deferential. That is our Master’s way of enquiring—a very different matter, certainly, from the ways in which enquiries are generally made” (The Analects of Confucius, Book One). The man did not go about asking others about this country but instead talked to people. He approached this country with a different view of things in order to experience it in the best way possible. He did not want to know the facts as they were he wanted to learn. Confucius included this statement to show that you must pay close attention to keep your promises as a leader and to love your people.

Book 1 includes many important traits about becoming a leader and upholding your position as a leader in society. He believed it was important to judge oneself and others as well. Confucius believed it was important to learn and learn about others. He did not want to be surprised about what he found of himself or others so that is why his belief of open-mindedness was so important. “The Master said, “To learn and at due times to repeat what one has learnt, is that not after all a pleasure? That friends (classmates!) should come to one from afar, is this not after all delightful? To remain unsoured even though one’s merits are unrecognized by others, is that not after all that is expected of a gentleman (junzi, the ideal person, every one of us has the potential to be)?” Confucius first statement in Book 1, is the most important one if you are also looking at his beliefs and how he considers a leader to be. His teaching is still carried on and is used in everyday life. To become a leader you must learn, observe and be willing to have an open mind.