Book 5: Judging Character

In Book 5 of The Analects, Confucius is not just talking about big ideas. He is looking at real people. He is judging their character and explaining why some were great and others were just okay.

The Man Who Knew Birds

One interesting story is about a disciple named Gongye Chang. Confucius thought he was a great guy and even gave him his daughter to marry. But there was a rumor that Gongye Chang had been in prison.

The story goes that he could understand the language of birds. One day, the birds told him where a dead body was. He tried to help the authorities find it, but they thought he was the one who killed the person. He ended up in jail for something he did not do.

Confucius did not care about the prison sentence. He knew the man’s character. He knew that being in trouble with the law is not the same as being a bad person. Sometimes, good people get caught in bad situations.

The Different Types of Talent

Confucius also looked at his other disciples. He said Zilu was decisive and could manage an army. He said Zigong was perceptive and smart. He said Ran Qiu had many skills.

But when someone asked if these men were “humane,” Confucius said he did not know. For him, having talent is one thing, but having a pure heart is another. You can be the best manager or the best soldier, but that does not mean you are a great human being.

The Joy of Learning (Again)

Confucius was famous for his love of learning. He said that even in a tiny village of ten houses, there are people as trustworthy as him. But the difference is that he loves to learn more than anyone else.

He was not just talking about books. He was talking about learning how to be a better person. He believed that learning should give you pleasure. He loved the “to-and-fro” of a good conversation and the “internal order” of a good piece of music.

The Lesson of Self-Reform

One of his biggest complaints was that he rarely saw anyone who could recognize their own mistakes and take themselves to task in private. It is easy to apologize in public when you have to, but it is hard to be honest with yourself when you are alone.

For Confucius, the goal of learning was not to show off. It was to change your own heart. He believed that if you are truly sincere, you will see yourself for who you are and always try to be better.

Previous: Book 4: The Heart of the Matter

Book Metadata Title: The Analects Author: Confucius Translator: Annping Chin ISBN: 9780698153516