I found this on Pat Cadigan's blog Ceci N'est Pas Une, http://tinyurl.com/j835slj
One night, Confucius had a dream about chopsticks.
In the dream, he was transported to Hell where he saw multitudes of people sitting at enormous tables set out with wonderful foods of all kinds. There was so much food that the tables groaned under the weight and the various aromas were mouth-watering, promising incredibly delectable flavours. But the people sitting at the tables had not touched any of it--they had been told they could eat as much as they liked but only if they ate with chopsticks that were five feet long. None of them could figure out how to eat with five-foot-long chopsticks, so all they could do was stare hopelessly at this amazing feast and cry in hunger and misery.
Then Confucius was taken to heaven where he again saw multitudes of people sitting around enormous tables laden with glorious foods. They had also been told they were allowed to eat only if they used the five-foot-long chopsticks. But, these people were not crying with hunger and frustration--they were eating their fill, talking, laughing, and enjoying themselves.
Because in heaven, they were feeding each other.
Simplistic, isn't it?
Showing posts with label CONFUCIUS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CONFUCIUS. Show all posts
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Friday, September 30, 2016
Confucius and Wisdom
Confucius met two boys who were arguing. One said: "When the sun rises it is closer to the earth and at midday it is farther away. I know this because it looks bigger when it rises in the morning annd smaller at midday and distance makes objects seem smaller." The other boy disagreed furiously, insisting: "No. No. When it rises the sun is cool, but at midday it is hot. Therefore it must be nearer at midday because near things are warmer than distant things." The two boys asked Confucius to settle their disagreement. Having thought for a while, Confucius had to admit, "I don't know." "So why do they call you wise?" demanded the boys. "Because I know that is is possible to prove anything with clever arguments," replied Confucius.
from Taoist Wisdom: Daily Teachings from the Taoist Sages
Timothy Freke, editor.
Wise he is, but there's something else that demonstrates Confucius' wisdom in this story, something rarely seen in the wise of all ages and eras, especially today. He is able to say, "I don't know."
from Taoist Wisdom: Daily Teachings from the Taoist Sages
Timothy Freke, editor.
Wise he is, but there's something else that demonstrates Confucius' wisdom in this story, something rarely seen in the wise of all ages and eras, especially today. He is able to say, "I don't know."
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Confucius: Sept. 28, 551 BC (trad)--479 BC
Some thoughts from the Master:
"The Master said, 'At fifteen I set my heart on learning; at thirty I took my stand; at forty, I came to be free from doubts; at fifty I understood the Decree of Heaven; at sixty my ear was attuned; at seventy I followed my heart's desire without overstepping the line.' "
"The Master said, 'A man is worthy of being a teacher who gets to know what is new by keeping fresh in his mind what he is already familiar with.' "
"The Master said, 'If one learns from others but does not think, one will be bewildered. If, on the other hand, one thinks but does not learn from others, one will be in peril.' "
"The Master said, 'I do not see how a man can be acceptable who is untrustworthy in word. When a pin in missing in the yoke-bar or a large cart or in the collar-bar of a small cart, how can the cart be expected to go?' "
"Lin Fang asked about the basis of the rites. The Master said, 'a noble question indeed! With the rites, it is better to err on the side of frugality than on the side of extravagance; in mourning, it is better to err on the side of grief than on the side of formality.' "
from Confucius: The Analects
Penguin Classics
D. C. Lau, trans.
"The Master said, 'At fifteen I set my heart on learning; at thirty I took my stand; at forty, I came to be free from doubts; at fifty I understood the Decree of Heaven; at sixty my ear was attuned; at seventy I followed my heart's desire without overstepping the line.' "
"The Master said, 'A man is worthy of being a teacher who gets to know what is new by keeping fresh in his mind what he is already familiar with.' "
"The Master said, 'If one learns from others but does not think, one will be bewildered. If, on the other hand, one thinks but does not learn from others, one will be in peril.' "
"The Master said, 'I do not see how a man can be acceptable who is untrustworthy in word. When a pin in missing in the yoke-bar or a large cart or in the collar-bar of a small cart, how can the cart be expected to go?' "
"Lin Fang asked about the basis of the rites. The Master said, 'a noble question indeed! With the rites, it is better to err on the side of frugality than on the side of extravagance; in mourning, it is better to err on the side of grief than on the side of formality.' "
from Confucius: The Analects
Penguin Classics
D. C. Lau, trans.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Something to chuckle about
The following comes from The Sayings of Confucius:
The Master said: "The young should be dutiful at home, modest abroad, heedful and true, full of goodwill for the many, close friends with love; and should they have strength to spare, let them spend it upon the arts."
Yes, just like their parents.
The Master said: "The young should be dutiful at home, modest abroad, heedful and true, full of goodwill for the many, close friends with love; and should they have strength to spare, let them spend it upon the arts."
Yes, just like their parents.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Something to think about
From India:
Do not give your attention to what others do or fail to do, give it to what you do or fail to do.
-- The Dhammapada --
Eknath Easwaran: editor and translator
From China:
When you see a worthy person,
endeavor to emulate him.
When you see an unworthy person,
then examine your inner self.
-- Confucius --
From Israel:
3. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
The Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 7
Several very short and simple suggestions.
Do you think, all quibbling aside, that, if people really began to think about and act upon these simple suggestions, it would change the daily headlines in some way?
Do not give your attention to what others do or fail to do, give it to what you do or fail to do.
-- The Dhammapada --
Eknath Easwaran: editor and translator
From China:
When you see a worthy person,
endeavor to emulate him.
When you see an unworthy person,
then examine your inner self.
-- Confucius --
From Israel:
3. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
The Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 7
Several very short and simple suggestions.
Do you think, all quibbling aside, that, if people really began to think about and act upon these simple suggestions, it would change the daily headlines in some way?
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