Confucius and Virtue Essay Example for Free

Confucius and Virtue Essay One word could garner every stroke of brilliance, every riddle composed and every thought that circled within the most influential sage, Confucius. The word â€Å"Shu: never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself,† expresses one rule that any individual could follow and practice (176). It encompasses areas of one’s life like intellect, relationships and behavior, but more importantly it begins to describe the concept of virtue and we can obtain it. In view with Confucius, virtue can be defined as morality possible within an individual. Virtue can be taught through the formation of habit and by respecting those around you as you would expect them to do as well—simultaneously garnering necessary traits such as honor and humanity that satisfy an individual’s life. To further extend the definition of virtue, morality should be defined. However, the exact definition of morality—just like virtue—will forever be contemplated. From Confucius, I gathered a few traits I believe to exemplify morality or Humanity as Confucius describes. One aspect is the ability to recognize what is good and then accomplishing these good things. Just as Confucius states, â€Å"Choose what is good and follow it,† comprehension and application in accordance to morality is vital to the definition of virtue (Confucius 72). Since virtue is something we, as erroneous humans, may never be able to obtain or reach, then the way to distinguish it is through experience or daily life. We observe virtue and are able to simply imitate it. Confucius himself exclaims that he â€Å"has no hope of meeting a truly virtuous person,† (73). Another aspect to define virtue is through gaining contentment in the individual’s life. Accepting one’s circumstances and finding peace in this leads an individual to Confucius’s Way, or true virtue. If someone had the ability to accept life as its handed to them, then their mind wouldn’t be concerned with things outside of their control. This is important to the acceleration of virtue because one’s own virtue is within their control, and if the focus is not outside of their control, it would be easier to observe virtue and then implement it into their lives. Security within the individual begins to form and â€Å"when the roots are secure, the Way is born,† (3). Both aspects, goodness and contentment, lead to observation and application of virtue, which is exactly how the individual can define of identify virtue. â€Å"but if you don’t put into practice the Ritual, then no good will come of it. † In order for virtue to be implemented into an individual’s life, the formation of habit must be derived from the application of virtue, or goodness. The formation indirectly helps to fulfill the completion of good behavior and intellect in an individual’s life. First, the connections of practice and teaching through behavior should be incorporated. For example, Confucius’s, The Analects, was gathered together by his followers. His great ideas about would have ever reached the people if he had not taught. More importantly, it shows how the applications of his writings are successful. Whatever he spoke of, he tried to implement in his life and that only supports the need for an individual to practice these items of virtue in their lives. The idea of practicing virtue is said to â€Å"never look [listen, speak or move] without Ritual,† and that would entail to constantly apply ritual, practice and procedural actions. In fact, Confucius’s concept of Ritual has more to do with habits and procedures than the religious aspects. Its respect of customs and practices allows individuals to become humane and honorable—which are aspects of virtue. This is demonstrated when Confucius says, â€Å"put what you have learned into practice,† (3). When that quote is connected with â€Å"the noble-minded are well versed in culture (culture also means learned in other translations) and well-grounded in Ritual, so how could they ever go wrong? † a clear purpose for practice is shown because learning in Ritual is viewed as a way of discipline to express those ideas (humanity and honorability) of virtue (61). Therefore, when this combination is practiced, virtue is then among the individual’s behavior satisfying that part of the soul. If they are able to control behaviors and practices through ritual and learning, then the intellect is challenged with virtue as well. Application infuses both behavior and intellect of the soul; practice is vital to obtaining and satisfying virtue within an individual’s life. Confucius’s â€Å"Golden Rule†Ã¢â‚¬â€respecting others as one wishes to be treated—is the key to a virtuous life because a way of obtaining virtue is through observation and practice. This is nearly impossible without the influence of another virtuous person. If virtue is exemplified through humans and our actions, then the observations made by an individual on the path to discovering virtue would be from another. This continuum is demonstrated through Confucius himself, as he teaches and â€Å"never refuse[s] to teach anyone,† but also through honor for elders (68). Parents, ancestors and elders are all crucial to the growth of a child and how he observes virtue. By implementing behavior, meaning regarding them with respect, the child learns necessary traits of virtue than can be further developed. To support the idea of respect Confucius boldly states that â€Å"everyone can feed their parents—but without reverence, they might as well be feeding animals,† (13). No one can observe and behave virtuous if they have no form of hearth for virtue. In addition to the necessity of observation and practice, the Golden Rule is also about finding virtue within love and humility. Both love and humility are selfless acts; their truest forms cannot be corrupted by greed, selfishness or inhumane ideals. Just as Confucius exclaims, â€Å"love the whole existence of things,† it brings forth connections and relationships that satisfy the soul (4). Virtue is expressed through these relationships by the respect and selfless acts because they are recognized as good. Good is synonymous with the idea of virtue, so it enforces the observations one can make of virtue in everyday life. Taking care of others creates one of the few truest bonds, and that represents virtue because of its truth and simply put: goodness. Being virtuous needs to be incorporated into everyday life/situations, and once you have begun virtue within yourself, the only other missing aspect of life is the life an individual shares with another; stringing together practice, relationships and intellect. Sharing virtue in life is accomplished through the Golden Rule by showing or being the example of virtue: â€Å"if you want to make a stand, help others make a stand,† (62). Virtue is not about oneself so by respecting others; one grows closer to understanding virtue. Treating others the way you want to be treated strings together behavior, relationships and intellect because others are involved: an individual observes and analyzes someone else’s virtuous actions, then begins to practice their own, and eventually respects and connects with others. This cycle is evolved through separate aspects of one’s life and in conjunction with others. If â€Å"only the humane can love people,† and humanity is a trait sprouted from virtue, then virtue must always be accompanied by some sort of interaction with others (33). Although Confucius’s idea of virtue incorporates how relationships, behavior and intellect are developed in an individual, it does not properly address emotion. Emotion can play a large role in how people think, act and connect; therefore, alter one’s ability to obtain virtue. Aristotle’s means of extreme seems to resonate well with emotion because it addresses the need for humans to stay balanced and in control—which would be beneficial to Confucius contentment and security in one’s self. Aristotle’s explains the men as â€Å"its character is to aim at what is intermediate in passions and in actions† (Aristotle 386). Aristotle’s idea of a moderation of emotions (passions) would allow an individual to stabilize themselves and stay focused on virtue. This is important because the foundation in which virtue begins to grow, according to Confucius, is when acceptance and contentment are present in one’s life. Once contentment occurs, the focus is more on loving others. This allows Confucius’s idea that â€Å"noble minded are never arrogant,† to become successful (Confucius 147). Through the use of balanced emotions, the individual can stay content and also stray from any arrogance, as emotions are focused on oneself. While virtue is true morality possible in humans, it can only be gained through practice and application of the Golden Rule—which leads to satisfaction within one’s life through concepts like humanity and Ritual. However, â€Å"Shu† will always be at the hearth of defining, applying and teaching virtue. Caring for others as we would want to care for us is vital to virtue in that it deals with a pure form of connection with others. Virtue is transported from individual to individual, and is therefore a large attribute to connections and relationships we have in life. With this, may Shu be with you.

David Wilmot and the Wilmot Proviso :: essays research papers

David Wilmot   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  David Wilmot was born in Bethany, Pennsylvania, on January 20, 1814. Wilmot received his academic education in Bethany and in Aurora, New York. He was later admitted to the bar at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, in 1834. He soon began practice at Towanda, where he afterward resided. He was first brought into public notice from his support of Martin Van Buren in the presidential race of 1836. He helped to found the Republican Party and was a Republican Senator from 1861 to 1863, filling out the unexpired term of Simon Cameron. He then became a judge of the U.S. Court of Claims in 1863.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  David Wilmot was an avid abolitionist. He became a part of the Free-Soil Party, which was made chiefly because of rising opposition to the extension of slavery into any of the territories newly acquired from Mexico. Not only was he opposed to the extension of slavery into â€Å"Texas,† he created the Wilmot Proviso. The Wilmot Proviso, which is obviously named after its creator, was an amendment to a bill put before the U.S. House of Representatives during the Mexican War; it provided an appropriation of $2 million to enable President Polk to negotiate a territorial settlement with Mexico. David Wilmot created this in response to the bill stipulating that none of the territory acquired in the Mexican War should be open to slavery. The amended bill was passed in the House, but the Senate adjourned without voting on it. In the next session of Congress (1847), a new bill providing for a $3-million appropriation was introduced, and Wilmot again proposed an anti slavery amendment to it. The amended bill passed the House, but the Senate drew up its own bill, which excluded the proviso. The Wilmot Proviso created great bitterness between North and South and helped take shape the conflict over the extension of slavery. In the election of 1848, the terms of the Wilmot Proviso, a definite challenge to proslavery groups, were ignored by the Whig and Democratic parties but were adopted by the Free-Soil party. Later, the Republican Party also favored excluding slavery from new territories.

Practical Demonkeeping Chapter 36-37

36 JENNY, ROBERT, RIVERA, AMANDA, TRAVIS, HOWARD, AND THE SPIDER Rivera drove Robert and Jennifer to their house. They sat in the back, holding each other the whole way, not saying a word until they thanked him when he dropped them off. On the drive back to the station Rivera tried to formulate a story that would save his career. Any version of the true story seemed like a sure ticket to a psychological disability retirement. In the end he decided to tell the story as far as the point where The Breeze disappeared. A month later Rivera was pumping Slush-Puppies at the Seven-Eleven, working undercover for the robbery division. However, with the arrest of a team of robbers that had terrorized convenience stores in the county for six months, he was promoted to lieutenant. Amanda and Travis rode with Howard. At Amanda's request, Gian Hen Gian saw that Effrom's body was turned to stone and placed inside the cave. When Howard stopped in front of Amanda's house, she invited Travis to come inside. He refused at first, wanting to leave her alone with her grief. â€Å"Have you completely missed the significance of all this, Travis?† she asked. â€Å"I guess so,† he said. â€Å"Did it occur to you that the presence of Catch and Gian Hen Gian proves that Effrom is not gone completely? I will miss him, but he goes on. And I don't want to be alone right now. I helped you when you needed it,† she said, and she waited. Travis went in. Howard went home to work on a new menu for his restaurant. Chief Technical Sergeant Nailsworth never found out what happened to Roxanne or who she really was, and he was heartbroken. Because of his grief he was unable to eat, lost a hundred and fifty pounds, met a girl at a computer user's meeting, and married her. He never had computer sex again outside the privacy of his home. 37 GOOD GUYS Augustus Brine declined offers for a ride home. He wanted to walk. He needed to think. Gian Hen Gian walked at his side. â€Å"I can repair your truck, make it fly if you wish,† the Djinn said. â€Å"I don't want it,† Brine said. â€Å"I'm not even sure I want to go home.† â€Å"You may do as you wish, Augustus Brine.† â€Å"I don't want to go back to the store either. I think I'll give the business to Robert and Jenny.† â€Å"Is it wise to put the drunkard in the wine barrel?† â€Å"He won't drink anymore. I want them to have the house, too. I'll start the paperwork in the morning.† â€Å"It is done.† â€Å"Just like that?† â€Å"You doubt the word of the King of the Djinn?† They walked in silence for a while before Brine spoke again. â€Å"It seems wrong that Travis has lived so long without having a life, without love.† â€Å"Like yourself, you mean?† â€Å"No, not like myself. I've had a good life.† â€Å"Would you have me make him young again?† Brine thought for a moment before he answered. â€Å"Could you make him age in reverse? For each year that passes he is a year younger?† â€Å"It can be done.† â€Å"And her, too?† â€Å"Her?† â€Å"Amanda. Could you make them grow young together?† â€Å"It can be done, if you command it.† â€Å"I do.† â€Å"It is done. Will you tell them?† â€Å"No, not right away. It will be a nice surprise.† â€Å"And what of yourself, Augustus Brine? What is it you wish?† â€Å"I don't know. I always thought I'd make a good madam.† Before the Djinn could say anything else, Rachel's van sputtered up beside them and stopped. She rolled down the window and said, â€Å"Do you need a ride, Gus?† â€Å"He is trying to think,† the Djinn snapped. â€Å"Don't be rude,† Brine said to the Djinn. â€Å"Which way are you going?† â€Å"I don't know for sure. I don't feel like going home – maybe ever.† Brine walked around the front of the van and slid open the cargo door. â€Å"Get in, Gian Hen Gian.† The Djinn got into the van. Brine slammed the cargo door and climbed into the passenger seat next to Rachel. â€Å"Well?† she said. â€Å"East,† Brine said. â€Å"Nevada.† It was called King's Lake. When it appeared in the desert, it simultaneously appeared on every map of Nevada that had ever been printed. People who had passed through that part of the state swore that they had never seen it before, yet there it was on the map. Above the tree-lined banks of King's Lake stood a palace with a hundred rooms. Atop the palace a massive electric sign read, BRINE'S BAIT, TACKLE, AND FINE WOMEN. Anyone who visited the palace was greeted by a beautiful, dark-haired woman, who took their money and led them to a room. On their way out a tiny brown man in a rumpled suit returned their money and wished them well. Upon returning home the visitors told of a white-haired man who sat all day in the lotus position at the end of a pier in front of the palace, fishing and smoking a pipe. They said that when evening approached, the dark-haired woman would join the man and together they would watch the sun go down. The visitors were never quite clear as to what had happened to them while they were at the palace. It didn't seem to matter. But after a visit they found that they appreciated the simple pleasures that life presented to them and they were happy. And although they recommended Brine's to their friends, they never returned themselves. What went on in the rooms is another story altogether.

Analysis Of I Have A Dream Speech - 1199 Words

The year was 1963, as the chaos of segregation was unfolding in the Southern states, Governor George C. Wallace and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, are at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement. In the beginning of the year, Governor Wallace will be addressing his constituents with his well-known, â€Å"Segregation Now, Segregation Forever† speech. Nevertheless, it will be seven months later, that Dr. King will convey his message in his famous, â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech. Individually, they deliver historical speeches concerning civil rights, however, the dialogue encompasses completely different messages. Comparatively, the two speeches will be presented side by side using Kairos, Ethos, Logos, and Pathos. . With that in mind, these two†¦show more content†¦Dr. King and Governor Wallace, both use strong evidence to strengthen their credibility and appeal to Ethos. Governor Wallace attended the University of Alabama and graduated with a law degree, which soon after he joined the US Army Air Corp. and was involved in a combat mission over Japan. Upon returning, he became an Assistant States Attorney, and later a judge of the Third Judicial Circuit of Alabama. George C. Wallace, campaigned for the Governor’s seat in Alabama and much to his dismay, he lost to his opponent who was a segregationist. Be that as it may, four years later his decision was to run again, but this time he was endorsed by the Ku Klux Klan, who helped him obtain the Governorship. Martin Luther King Jr., was from a middle-class family with strong Baptist beliefs. Surprisingly, at the young age of 15, he attended Morehouse College and later enter Boston University. Dr. King obtained his pastoral and doctorate degrees, and appeared that he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and father to become a Baptist Pastor. While living in Montgomery, Alabama, a small group of civil rights activists launched a boycott against the public bus system. Unbeknownst to Dr. King, the activist would choose him as the representative for their cause. This would launch the beginning of Dr. King’s ongoing struggle to end segregation. Logos, also known as logic will be used to compare theShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of I Have A Dream Speech1152 Words   |  5 PagesThe major argument that is being portrayed in Martin Luther King Jr.’s â€Å"I Have A Dream† speech is all men and women should be treated equally, regardless of their skin color. Dr. King states, â€Å"When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienableRead MoreI Have A Dream Speech Analysis1714 Words   |  7 Pagesuses words to provoke, calm, and inspire in his famous I Have a Dream speech. Using these words, he creates a connection with the audience, and he gained their trust. Cesar Chavez also gave a speech that provoked, calmed, and inspired the audience to come together and get ri d of pesticides because it is causing many diseases among adults, as well as children. He also mentions King many times to gain the audience’s trust. â€Å"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out theRead MoreAnalysis Of I Have A Dream Speech758 Words   |  4 Pages delivered his â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech in 1963 to a divided and unjust nation. King’s tactful writing reached the entire nation, and his words resonated with everyone who heard them. His speech addressed the injustices and inequalities blacks face in America. â€Å"I Have a Dream† has gone down in history as one of the best speeches in modern history, received at a time of turmoil and racial tension. Therefore, King’s words have rung in the hearts of innumerable people, and his dreams and aspirationsRead MoreAnalysis Of I Have A Dream Speech1419 Words   |  6 PagesKennedy have the first televised debate, Mohamed Ali wins a gold medal and the Civil Rights Movement at its climax in America. As the chaos of segregation was unfolding in the Southern states, Governor George C. Wallace and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, were at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement. In the beginning of the year, Governor Wallace will address his constituents with his, â€Å"Segregation Now, Segregation Forever† speech and seven months later, Dr. King will deliver his famous, â€Å"I Have a Dream†Read MoreI Have A Dream Speech Analysis1154 Words   |  5 PagesMartin Luther King Jr.s impact of pathos throughout his speech has the impact of exploit the audience, empowered, determined, and grateful. Throughout his speech, his audience responds to him by applauding with agreement. Impact of Pathos Martin Luther King, Jr. uses attribute within the starting of his known, I actually have a Dream Speech, to realize the audience to feel as theyre fighting with several alternative known Americans, like the beginning Fathers and Abe Lincoln. Since, several AmericansRead MoreAnalysis Of I Have A Dream Speech937 Words   |  4 PagesMany people have different perspectives on hope. Some hope for a life full of happiness, being wealthy, or just being happy. Martin Luther King Jr. had hope, he had hope for equality and for everyone to be treated equal. In MLK’s â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech this is the most uplifting segment of it. King knows that his audience has suffered from injustice, so they must have faith that things will soon change. King also stresses in the speech about non-violent resistance, African American equality, actionRead MoreAnalysis Of I Have A Dream Speech1086 Words   |  5 PagesI am writing this letter to you in hopes of gaining insight on how to ha ndle the grave issues of racism and injustice that appear to be a curse upon our great country, the United States of America. Back then, you used your cogent words to penetrate into the minds of all those listening in hopes of uniting our nation, and erasing racial barriers along the way. You fought for peace and freedom using non-violence and preached equality to the people of this country. From your involvement in the firstRead MoreI Have A Dream Speech Analysis1441 Words   |  6 Pagesorder to procure its ultimate victory throughout the 1960s. From his civil rights-related endeavor, the â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech, given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the â€Å"March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom† in 1963 (â€Å"March on Washington For Jobs and Freedom) arose. In his speech, he spoke about the injustice of segregation and discrimination of African Americans. His speech had a prodigious impact as it succeeded to illustrate the issue of racism a t the time and instigated theRead MoreI Have A Dream Speech Analysis847 Words   |  4 Pagesget along, but that isn’t what life really is. If you want something to change you don’t sit back and hope it will change you have to make it change. In the story Cairo: My City, Our Revolution, Ahdaf Soueif goes and fights for her country. In the speech I Have a Dream, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was influencing people to go and protest to get their rights and in the speech A Eulogy for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Robert F. Kennedy influences people to change and do as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. TheRead MoreAnalysis of I Have a Dream Speech1857 Words   |  8 Pagesâ€Å"I Have A Dream† Martin Luther King Jr. On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech that electrified a nation. In Washington D.C, King delivered his speech on the steps of the Lincoln memorial and as his powerful voice echoed out across an audience of 200,000 people, echoes of the Gettysburg address could be heard as well as the Declaration of Independence and the Bible. It has been called â€Å"masterfully delivered and improvised sermon, bursting with biblical language and imagery.†The