The Way of Martial Arts

Lesson 37

M O N T H L Y I N T E R A C T I V E L E S S O N S T O H E L P I M P R O V E Y O U R D A I L Y L I F E

B Y M A S T E R E R I C S B A R G E

When someone is parodied and imitated so much that it becomes hardto distinguish the original from the parody, at a minimum that person likelyhas some influence. In the case of Confucius, he has influ-enced far more than what is written in fortune cookies. Hehas in fact influenced the very success and fortunes ofentire civilizations.

Born in 551 B.C., Confucius was a Chinese thinker andphilosopher who was raised in poverty by his widowedmother. He achieved his fame and influence through hisown intelligence, hard work and perseverance – and later hewould be a strong proponent of merit superseding nobility for advancementand promotion.

Among his greatest philosophical contributions was the belief thatmorals, social structure, integrity and knowledge were intertwined andessential: No society could flourish if its citizens were ignorant or immoralor if the people failed to fulfill their proper roles within the social structure.

He is regarded by Chinese and East Asians in general asthe “teacher of teachers,” and in fact schools close on his

birthday to honor him and highlight the essentialnature of education.

W H Y H E ’ S I M P O R T A N T T O U S

Aside from the fact that we live in a society that values education,advancement according to merit, and law and order, as traditional

Confucius Says…

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martial artists Confucianism is important to us. Wu-de is at the core of ourkung fu training, and Confucianism is at the core of Wu-de.

Wu-de dictates that we exhibit respect, honor, loyalty and acceptance ofour roles within the training hall – all ideals espoused by Confucius.Confucius understood Taoist thought, and reportedly believed in the powerof the Tao and the notion that we inherently and instinctively know how tobehave and act in harmony with nature. But he recognized that for thegood of the family, organization and society, clearly defined guidelinesshould be established and laid out for us to follow.

A S E L E C T I O N O F A P H O R I S M S A T T R I B U T E D T OC O N F U C I U S

Confucius himself said that he wasn’t original in his thinking; he simplypromoted and spread the collective wisdom of the generations before him.The sayings and lessons from Confucius that we have today most certainlyweren’t written by Confucius himself, but rather were created by his laterdisciples and followers.

Following are many of the most profound aphorisms, some of whichyou’ve likely heard before, but each of which I believe merits reflection andcontemplation.

A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which isnoblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and Third by experience,which is the bitterest.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.

Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in theiraffairs.

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be com-pared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turntowards it.

He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does notlearn is in great danger.

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his wordsgood.

Heaven means to be one with God.

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the center of yourbeing.

I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me; I will be con-cerned at not knowing other men.

If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as myteacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, andthe bad points of the other and correct them in myself.

If we don't know life, how can we know death?

If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, whatis there to worry about? What is there to fear?

If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it's OK. But you've got toshoot for something. A lot of people don't even shoot.

If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years,plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.

In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. Ina country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.

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Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned tothink how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that youare not known, see to being worthy of being known.

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the wholescheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and badthings are very easy to get.

It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.

Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is per-ilous.

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observehis pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!

Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.

Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.

No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for read-ing, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.

Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gen-tly shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable frontstall as spectator.

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

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Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such prepara-tion there is sure to be failure.

The book salesman should be honored because he brings to our atten-tion, as a rule, the very books we need most and neglect most.

The cautious seldom err.

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that wouldperfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They havetheir faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up tothem.

The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be hisworld and the world at large.

The object of the superior man is truth.

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.

The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks accord-ing to his action.

The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is notdistressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.

To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue;these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kind-ness.

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.

Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to whichthey submit by the boredom which they inspire.

We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust thegoals, adjust the action steps.

When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if itwere for yourself.

When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do notknow a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognizedmoral qualities of men.

Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men frombeasts?

You cannot open a book without learning something.

E X E R C I S E

Each day for the next few days, choose one of the above quotes fromConfucius that strikes a chord with you, and throughout the day be mindfulof how you can better implement his advice.

A S S I G N M E N T

Describe any specific Wu-de guidelines that you are aware we follow atThe Peaceful Dragon that you feel are rooted in the teachings ofConfucius.Send your thoughts to me at lessons@thepeacefuldragon.com.Please put “Lesson 37” in the subject line.

R E C O M M E N D E D R E A D I N G

The Confucian Analects: The Great Learning and the Doctrine of theMeanTranslated and with notes and commentary by James Legge

You will likely find this to be the most authoritative yet accessible trans-lation of the Analects attributed to Confucius. You can simply enjoyConfucius’s many explanations and aphorisms for what they are, or you canalso study the detailed historical and linguistic notes and references provid-ed by the translator.

SSSSEvery month a book or article will be suggested by Master Sbarge.

Reading about topics related to the arts you are training in will help you getthe most out of your practice. Just remember that reading can never replaceyour practice! Each month’s recommended reading is purely optional,though Master Sbarge may on rare occasion ask that you do read a particu-lar book.

For additional reading suggestions by Master Sbarge, go tohttp://www.thepeacefuldragon.com/books.shtml.

Note: All Peaceful Dragon students are urged to complete monthlyassignments because they are important for you to fully benefit fromyour training. Master Sbarge reads every single student's lesson respons-es every month, and will periodically respond or comment on them.