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Full Idea
In our natures we approximate one another; habits put us further and further apart. The only ones who do not change are sages and idiots.
Gist of Idea
Humans are similar, but social conventions drive us apart (sages and idiots being the exceptions)
Source
Kongzi (Confucius) (The Analects (Lunyu) [c.511 BCE], XVII.2)
Book Ref
Confucius: 'The Sayings of Confucius', ed/tr. Ware,James R. [Mentor 1955], p.109
A Reaction
I find most of Confucius rather uninteresting, but this is a splendid remark about the influence of social conventions on human nature. Sages can achieve universal morality if they rise above social convention, and seek the true virtues of human nature.
| 23393 | Confucianism assumes that all good developments have happened, and there is only one Way [Norden on Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7358 | All men prefer outward appearance to true excellence [Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7357 | People who control others with fluent language often end up being hated [Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7359 | Excess and deficiency are equally at fault [Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7360 | Do not do to others what you would not desire yourself [Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7361 | Men of the highest calibre avoid political life completely [Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7362 | Humans are similar, but social conventions drive us apart (sages and idiots being the exceptions) [Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7363 | The virtues of the best people are humility, maganimity, sincerity, diligence, and graciousness [Kongzi (Confucius)] |