The formation of this characteristic of gentleman concept mainly comes from The Analects of Confucius. There are many references to gentlemen in The Analects of Confucius. At the same time, through the exposition of gentleman in The Analects of Confucius, the concept of gentleman has been deeply integrated into the culture of China, and has also profoundly influenced the character and thought of China people. It plays a fundamental role in the formation of China's personality world. Of course, the concept of gentleman has existed in China culture for a long time. For example, gentlemen are often mentioned in The Book of Songs and Monks' Books. For example, "A gentleman has no escape." (Shangshu) As we all know, "My fair lady is a gentleman." (The Book of Songs) and so on. This ancient concept, elaborated by Confucius and his disciples, has become more universal and popular, and has also been endowed with some richer connotations.
From the first sentence of the Analects of Confucius, "People who don't know and don't care are not gentlemen!" ("learning") to say. Confucius first talked about the happiness of learning, the friendship and joy between friends, and later talked about gentlemen. It can be seen that Confucius attached great importance to learning, happiness and the concept of a gentleman. Most of us feel angry when others don't understand or misunderstand, but Confucius told us, "People don't know enough." It is "not a gentleman!" In this case, you are a gentleman if you don't get angry and complain. This kind of behavior is the quality shown by a gentleman, and there is a gentleman's morning exercise. Of course, it is not easy to do this. Therefore, Confucius believes that people with this quality can also be said to be gentlemen. We also know that there is a famous saying in the Book of Changes: "Heaven is healthy, and gentlemen are constantly striving for self-improvement." A gentleman strives for self-improvement, just like the dynamic operation of heaven and earth, so a gentleman is also imitating heaven. From the above two examples, we can see that a gentleman is not only manifested in daily life, but also linked with Heaven.
Confucius often mentioned the name gentleman. In the Analects of Confucius, there are many references to gentlemen. For a gentleman, Confucius admired him even more, and explained the meaning of a gentleman extensively and deeply. Although the concept of a gentleman has long been formed in ancient times. Probably it was first used to refer to people with positions, and gradually it became a title for people with cultivation. In Confucius' view, the meaning of gentleman became very clear, mainly referring to people with morality, self-cultivation, perfect personality and noble sentiments. Others and his disciples also called Confucius a gentleman, and Confucius called himself a gentleman several times. There are still people who call a gentleman an official. Confucius criticized this gentleman because of his status. However, at that time, the significance of being a gentleman was very little. As I said before, the concept of a gentleman based on morality is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and it is also true in contemporary times. In other words, people's concept of a gentleman is similar to that of Confucius. Through the analysis and investigation of the gentleman in The Analects of Confucius, we can understand Confucius' view of gentleman and the meaning of gentleman in China culture.
Confucius discussed the meaning of gentleman from many angles in The Analects of Confucius. Let's talk about the essence of a gentleman first. Confucius said, "It is better for a gentleman to be famous than to be benevolent."? If a gentleman has no final food, he will violate benevolence and will do it again. " We know that "benevolence" is the core concept and value in Confucius' thought. Confucius believes that "benevolence" is the essence of a gentleman. It means that a gentleman cannot be called a gentleman without benevolence. Of course, he is not a gentleman. A gentleman can't leave benevolence for a moment, and he can't leave benevolence. He also said that "a gentleman's righteousness is the quality, courtesy is the deed, sun is the deed, and faith is the deed." Gentleman! "(Wei Linggong) believes that righteousness is the essence of a gentleman, and righteousness is also the essence of a gentleman. As a gentleman, righteousness is the foundation, and quality, courtesy, grandchildren and faith are the behavior modification and writing of a gentleman. Confucius said, "Be soft before being firm. "With righteousness and courtesy, Confucius really looks like a real gentleman! Confucius said, "A gentleman! "This affirms the meaning of a gentleman. Confucius also said, "The righteousness of a gentleman is paramount." (Wei Linggong) believes that righteousness is the basic quality of a gentleman. Now our society is also emphasizing the role of benevolence and righteousness, and the basis of the concept of gentleman is consistent with Confucius' thought. In Confucius' view, benevolence and righteousness are the essence of a gentleman.
Confucius also had a lot to say about the character of a gentleman. Confucius said, "A gentleman is superior, but a villain gives orders." (Xianwen) believes that a gentleman's life develops and extends upwards, while a villain is just the opposite, and life develops and extends downwards. "Learning to be an excellent official" is Confucius' philosophy of life. His study, education, writing and politics are all for achievement. The purpose is to be a gentleman. Confucius' way of being a gentleman has enterprising quality. Confucius said, "an upright man is open and poised, I am worried about my country and people." An upright man is open and poised, aboveboard and broad-minded, has nothing he can't see. This generosity not only refers to the generosity in life, but also refers to the generosity in mentality and cultivation. With this generosity, you can naturally take your time. The villains often feel sad and sad. The problem of mind is also the reason why he is not open enough, and he will be afraid and ashamed of crimes and other things that violate his conscience. Confucius, through the contrast between a gentleman and a villain, shows the character of a gentleman who is aboveboard and enterprising.
Sima Niu is always sad. Once he asked Confucius what a gentleman was. Confucius said, "A gentleman is not worried or afraid." (Sima Niu) said, "Can you be a gentleman without worry or fear?" Confucius said, "If you don't feel guilty after introspection, why are you worried?" That is to tell Sima Niu not to be afraid, because it doesn't conform to the quality of a gentleman. So happiness is also a character of a gentleman. When the state of Chen ran out of food, Luz went to see Confucius unhappily and said, "Is the gentleman poor?" Lutz believes that a gentleman will never be trapped and poor. Confucius said to Luz, "A gentleman is poor, but a villain is poor." ("Wei Linggong") Confucius explained to Lutz that a gentleman has integrity and insists on integrity when something happens, unlike a villain who loses integrity when something happens and does whatever he wants. This is also the embodiment of a gentleman's noble character.
Confucius believes that the characteristics of a gentleman are expressed through thoughts and actions. Let's take a look at this gentleman's thoughts first. That's what a gentleman thinks. Confucius said, "A gentleman is ashamed of words but not of deeds." ("Xianwen") A gentleman has shame. We often talk about eight honors and eight disgraces at school now. If you can do it, you can be said to be a gentleman! Confucius believes that a gentleman is a man who is consistent with his words and deeds and will be ashamed of his boasting. Of course, ordinary normal people will be ashamed of such exaggerated words, so according to this standard of Confucius, it seems that it is not difficult for a gentleman to do it. Confucius said, "A gentleman is ill and incompetent, and I don't know if the patient knows." (Wei Linggong) A gentleman is worried that he has no talent, not that others don't understand him. The same applies to ourselves. We should also care about whether we are talented and knowledgeable, not whether others know us well. Having done this, you can also be said to be a gentleman. Is it difficult? Of course it is not difficult. Of course, gentlemen also have difficulties. A gentleman's heart is always concerned with moral issues. Confucius said, "A gentleman is virtuous, a villain is earthy; The gentleman is pregnant with punishment, and the villain is pregnant. " (Liren) always cares about social order, while villains only care about their own land property and their own personal interests. Therefore, from the usual intention of a gentleman, it is higher than a villain. Confucius also said: "A gentleman is figurative, while a villain is figurative." A gentleman knows morality, but a villain only knows self-interest. In our present society, this distinction is still correct, and people's values are still consistent with Confucius' thoughts.
The character of a gentleman is more reflected through behavior. It can be understood from the following aspects. One aspect is the ambition and mind of a gentleman; On the one hand, it is a gentleman's words and deeds, on the other hand, it is a gentleman's attitude towards people, on the other hand, it is an attitude towards things.
The ambition of a gentleman is determined to win, and will not be limited to personal gains and losses. But care about the fate of the whole society and mankind, and care about the realization of Tao. Confucius said, "A gentleman seeks Tao instead of food. Farming is also awkward; Learn, and Lu is among them. A gentleman is not poor. " (Wei Linggong) A gentleman stresses enlightenment, not food. In other words, a gentleman works hard to realize Tao, not to survive. What's more, if you just work hard for a living, you will be hungry sometimes. Learning is for the realization of Tao, and wages will come from it. What worries a gentleman is whether Tao can be realized, and he will not feel sad because of poverty. Confucius also believed that "a gentleman does not have enough to eat and is restless." There are no special requirements for food and living conditions. Confucius said that a gentleman is: "live in seclusion, do justice and achieve his Tao." ("Ji Shi") When you live in seclusion, don't give up your ambition. If I can come out to work, I will realize the road I want to pursue without hesitation. Confucius also said, "A scholar is determined by the Tao." That's what it means. Confucius said: "A gentleman is also in the world, but there is no comfort, no Mo Ye, and the comparison of righteousness is also." It is believed that a gentleman's attitude towards people and things in the world is unlimited, as long as it conforms to the principle of loyalty and righteousness. Explain that a gentleman's ambition lies in virtue. At the same time, it also shows a gentleman's flexible attitude and broad mind.
The words and deeds of a gentleman have been mentioned and discussed many times in The Analects. According to the Analects of Confucius, Zi Gong asked a gentleman. Confucius said, "Speak first, then do it." Zi Gong asked what a gentleman is. Confucius answered him like this. Confucius believed that a gentleman should practice first, and then talk about it. Here, of course, Confucius said Zigong is very good, but he may not be able to do this kind of personality or situation. But it is the same and has universal significance. Confucius believed that words and deeds should be consistent. He said: "The ancients could not say that they were ashamed to bow." In ancient times, educated people only said it when they could. Confucius believes that a gentleman is "sensitive to matters but cautious about words", and Confucius said: "A gentleman wants to be slower than words but sensitive to deeds." You don't need too much language, but you should be steady, and you should be agile in your actions and things. Because "a gentleman is ashamed of his words, but he has done too much." In my heart, I will be ashamed of my words and deeds. Confucius thought: a word from a gentleman is a promise, but it is hard to chase after it. "("Lutz ") the gentleman's character is also reflected in his words and deeds.
The gentleman's attitude towards people is also worth learning. Confucius said, "A gentleman has the beauty of an adult, but not the evil of an adult." This is also a feature of our China culture. A gentleman will fulfill the good deeds of others and achieve the truth, goodness and beauty of others, but not the evil of others. This gentleman's wind will make our society lovely. In fact, everyone's heart will have the desire for adult beauty. If adults are evil, they are not gentlemen, and they are not what we want to see and hate. A gentleman lives in society and shows integrity and self-cultivation. Confucius said, "A gentleman is proud and does not fight, but a group is not a party." As a gentleman, he has his own ethics, and will not fight for anything, nor will he get together to do bad things like a villain. Even if there is a dispute, it is also a gentleman's dispute. He said: "a gentleman will shoot at anything he does not fight for!" Give up and drink. Its struggle is also a gentleman. " ("Bashu") For example, archery in sports competitions, according to certain etiquette norms, we should have a drink together after the game. A gentleman will not recommend a person because he speaks well, nor will he disapprove of what he says because he is not so good. A gentleman has deep feelings for his relatives. Ceng Zi, a disciple of Confucius, believes that gentlemen like to make friends by writing. Ceng Zi said: "A gentleman takes literature as his friend and benevolence as his help." (Yan Yuan) It can be seen that a gentleman is affectionate, with natural affection, elegance and kindness. Confucius believed that "it is easier said than done by a gentleman." (Lutz) It is easy for a gentleman to communicate with others, but it is not easy to please them. People will not be perfect. He also said: "A gentleman is harmonious but different." The relationship with people attaches importance to harmony, but it is not required to be so, which means respecting others.
Let's take a look at this gentleman's attitude towards things. Confucius believed that "a gentleman is ill and nameless." (Wei Linggong). A gentleman attaches great importance to his reputation. He will hate that he only has the name of a gentleman after his death, but he has not done what a gentleman should do and failed to do his duty. A gentleman will also keep a realistic attitude towards things. He said, "A gentleman knows everything, but he can't hide it." (Lutz) I don't talk nonsense about what I don't know. I just put it aside and don't express my opinion. When a gentleman does things, he melts into the true feelings, that is, he acts according to his feelings. Confucius said, "A gentleman is weary of his ambition, unwilling to eat, unwilling to listen, and restless." (Yang Huo) A gentleman will not feel sweet even when he eats, nor will he be happy when he hears music, and he will always miss it when he is alive. This is a manifestation of human nature. A gentleman keeps his nature and expresses his deep feelings for things.
A gentleman pays great attention to his self-cultivation and appearance in life. Confucius believes that a gentleman has three precepts, three fears and Jiu Si. Ceng Zi also thinks that there are three aspects that make a gentleman more expensive. (Three Commandments, Three Fears and Jiu Si, which we have already talked about, are not repeated here. Ceng Zi believes that a gentleman is more valuable than Tao: "Move by appearance, Philip Burkart is slow; Positive color, close to letters; It would be much more embarrassing to say it. "("Taber ") means to pay attention to improving your movements and appearance, so that you will stay away from rudeness; Correcting your attitude and expression will make people feel credible; Pay attention to language and tone, so that you will stay away from vulgarity and other people's doubts. Ceng Zi thinks that gentlemen attach importance to these three aspects. This is, of course, the quality that a gentleman needs to treat people. Xia Zi said Confucius: "There are three changes in a gentleman: if you look at it like this, even if it is gentle, you will listen strongly. "Xia Zi called Confucius a gentleman. There are three changes in Confucius' external cultivation. From a distance, he looks dignified and dignified, but he is gentle in communication. When he spoke, he felt very strict. Confucius also believes that "a gentleman is not strong if he is not heavy, and his knowledge is not solid." Tell us to be solemn, so that the knowledge we have learned will be solid. This is also the gentleman's demeanor that Confucius showed in his daily life.
Speaking of Xia Zi calling Confucius a gentleman, in fact, others also call Confucius a gentleman. It is also true that Confucius' personality and demeanor fully meet the standards of gentlemen in people's hearts. Confucius also called all people who he thought were cultured gentlemen. Confucius also considered himself a gentleman. Confucius said: "I can't see a saint;" If you can see a gentleman, you can do it. "("Uncle ") The requirements of saints are very high, and it is impossible to be a saint. It is also difficult to see saints in society. A gentleman, on the other hand, has a lower standard than a saint, and can do it if he wants to. Maybe there are people around us who can be called gentlemen. Confucius believes that as long as you see a gentleman, you will be satisfied. We know that the purpose of Confucius education is also to cultivate gentlemen. The life of Confucius is introduced in Xiang Dang, and Confucius is also called a gentleman. Chen Kang said: "A gentleman is far from his son." Gentleman also refers to Confucius. Confucius also considered himself a gentleman. According to the Analects of Confucius, Zi wanted to live in nine cities. Or: "What about ugliness?" Confucius said, "How can a gentleman be humble if he lives there?" (Zi Han) Confucius is very confident here. He thinks that if September 1 is simple, if he lives there, he will become elegant rather than simple. When someone praised Confucius as a saint, Confucius thought he was just a gentleman. He said, "I know you too well! I am cheap, so I can despise. How many gentlemen are there? Not much. " (Zi Han).
Confucius also praised his disciples as gentlemen. He called his disciples mean: "A gentleman is like a man! If Lu has no gentleman, how can he take Si? " (Gongye Chang) Zi Jie is a gentleman. And if Lu doesn't have a gentleman, where did you learn that? It means that the state of Lu has a gentleman, and the son base becomes a gentleman because of the example and influence of the gentleman. Confucius also praised disciple Nan Rong: "A gentleman is like a man! Suntech is like a person! " (Xian Wen) said Nan Rong was a gentleman because he respected morality very much. Confucius also praised Chi: "A gentleman is Chi! If the country has a way, it will be an official. If the country has no way, it can be rolled up. " (Wei Linggong) Chi is a doctor of Wei and a good friend of Confucius. Cultivate one's morality and cultivate one's nature, and a gentleman has wind. Once, someone was sent to visit Confucius. Confucius sat next to the man and asked him something about Apollo. Confucius said, "What is a master?" Right: "Master thought too little and failed." When the messenger came out, Confucius said, "Yes! Make it! " ("Xian Wen") This person also knows Chi very well, saying that he wants to reduce his mistakes but suffers from no way. This shows that Ji is cultivated and promoted. After the messenger went out, Confucius sighed and said, "What a messenger! What a messenger! " It can be seen that gentlemen at that time were still very common in society.
Confucius believes that there is a gentleman's way. The way of a gentleman shows different performances in different situations. In the Analects of Confucius, Confucius talked about the way of a gentleman in two places. Let's have a look. The Analects of Confucius records: "Confucius said,' There is nothing I can do: the benevolent is not worried, the wise is not confused, and the brave is not afraid.' Zi Gong said, "Confucius is a Taoist." "(Xian Wen) Confucius thinks that a gentleman has three ways, but he has never been able to do it himself. Zi Gong knew Confucius and said that this was the way of Confucius, and he was talking about himself. Benevolent people are not worried, scholars are not confused, and brave people are not afraid. These three ways of being a gentleman may be important to Confucius, but they are also difficult to achieve. As we said above, some gentlemen's personalities are easy to achieve, and they can do it themselves. There is no worry, confusion and fear, which can only be achieved through practice. It also shows that Confucius' profound understanding of these three aspects is beyond the reach of ordinary people. Confucius thought zi chan: "there are four ways for a gentleman: his way respects people, his affairs respects people, his benefits support people, and his righteousness is for the people." Zi chan was the prime minister of Qi Henggong, one of the five tyrants in the Spring and Autumn Period, and did many good things for the people. Confucius often praised Zichan. Confucius put forward that the four gentlemen came here, and all the children achieved it: modest behavior; Align with the respect of Henggong; Governing the country and the people have benefited a lot; It is moral to make use of people's labor. Therefore, Confucius also praised Zi Chan as a gentleman, because Zi Chan practiced the way of these four gentlemen.
And this character of a gentleman will be more prominent than that of a villain. Confucius often compares villains with gentlemen. We have mentioned this comparison before. For example, "gentlemen are harmonious but different, villains are not harmonious" or "gentlemen are easy to please, villains are easy to please." Wait a minute. The quality of a villain is just the opposite of that of a gentleman. Another example is "a gentleman is Thai but not arrogant, and a villain is arrogant but not Thai." (Lutz) A gentleman who is calm will not be complacent; a villain, on the contrary, will not be calm and complacent. Reading this contrast between Confucius and reality, we can't help but admire Confucius' wisdom! Confucius warned Di Xia Zi: "A woman is a gentleman's Confucianism, and everything she does is a villain's Confucianism!" A gentleman should naturally be a gentleman, and a villain is still a villain no matter how well he learns and how much he knows. As a gentleman, Confucius also met some villains in his life, so he hated villains very much. This is also the reason why Confucius distinguished gentlemen from villains very clearly. In response to Zi Gong's question, "Even a gentleman is evil", Confucius said: "Evil means that people are evil, evil lives in dirty places, evil is brave and rude, and evil is resolutely curbed." Therefore, a gentleman hates the behavior of some villains, which is also a character of a gentleman. Confucius also said: "Only the benevolent can be good and evil." That's what it means. Gentlemen and villains have different attitudes towards mistakes. Xia Zi said: "If a villain makes a mistake, he must write something." Zi Gong said: "The fault of a gentleman is like the food of the sun and the moon: everyone sees it and everyone admires it." ("Zhang Zi") If the villain is wrong, it will inevitably whitewash the mistake; When a gentleman makes a mistake, everyone will see it and know it, and correction is also praised by everyone.
The concept of gentleman has developed very maturely in Confucius. When it comes to Confucius, it only refers to people with moral character. Before Confucius, gentleman, as a title, had a certain status color. Of course, ancient gentlemen must have noble moral cultivation. For example, people can call Dayu and Shang Tang gentlemen, but they will never call Xiezhou gentlemen. This kind of morality is fully mature when it comes to Confucius. Although Confucius also said: "A gentleman who is not kind has a husband, and a benevolent person has no villain." ("Xianwen") The gentleman here may refer to the person in power, who is in danger in the last days. At that time, there were many such situations in society, and the villain here refers to people with moral corruption. And "a gentleman is easy and difficult to please, and a villain is easy and difficult to please." There is no position factor in the comparison between a gentleman and a villain. This is a moral difference. Because a gentleman can be in power, and a villain can be in power. This concept of Confucius has always influenced the culture and society of China, and it still does today.
Connecting the character of a gentleman with the sky, I think the character of a gentleman comes from the sky. He said, "I don't know my life, and I don't think I am a gentleman." ("Yao Yue") As we mentioned earlier, "Yi" said that "a gentleman should be careful." We can't understand what destiny is, and it is difficult for us to fully understand the true meaning of Confucius as a gentleman. But we can see the general meaning of gentleman from the above discussion of Confucius. Gentleman is the concrete practice of destiny in human society, one end is connected with heaven and the other end is connected with human society. A gentleman is a person with perfect personality. A gentleman is a person who dares to take responsibility for society and mankind and has the spirit of taking responsibility. At the same time, a gentleman is full of vigor and vitality, positive and progressive, and has all noble qualities of a person.