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Single Idea 7361

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / d. Elites ]

Full Idea

Men of the highest calibre avoid political life completely.

Gist of Idea

Men of the highest calibre avoid political life completely

Source

Kongzi (Confucius) (The Analects (Lunyu) [c.511 BCE], XIV.37)

Book Ref

Confucius: 'The Sayings of Confucius', ed/tr. Ware,James R. [Mentor 1955], p.95


A Reaction

Plato notes that such people tend to avoid political life (and a left sheltering, as if from a wild storm!), but he thinks they should be dragged into the political arena for the common good. Confucius seems to approve of the avoidance. Plato is right.


The 8 ideas from 'The Analects (Lunyu)'

Confucianism assumes that all good developments have happened, and there is only one Way [Norden on Kongzi (Confucius)]
All men prefer outward appearance to true excellence [Kongzi (Confucius)]
People who control others with fluent language often end up being hated [Kongzi (Confucius)]
Excess and deficiency are equally at fault [Kongzi (Confucius)]
Do not do to others what you would not desire yourself [Kongzi (Confucius)]
Men of the highest calibre avoid political life completely [Kongzi (Confucius)]
Humans are similar, but social conventions drive us apart (sages and idiots being the exceptions) [Kongzi (Confucius)]
The virtues of the best people are humility, maganimity, sincerity, diligence, and graciousness [Kongzi (Confucius)]