The Analects (1979)

Confucius

Introduced and translated by D. C. Lau

Penguin Random House

 

“子曰。志於道、據於德、依於仁、游於藝。

 

The Master said: ‘Set your heart on the dao, base yourself in virtue, rely on ren ∆, journey in the arts.’” — Confucius in The Analects, Book 7.6¶

 

 

 

 

 

 

∆  In the third and final episode of a three-part television series for the BBC in which the British historian Bettany Hughes explores the lives and minds of three great philosophers from the ancient world: Socrates, Confucius, and the Buddha, Hughes sits down with Tu Weiming, the Chair Professor of Humanities and Founding Director of the Institute for Advanced Humanistic Studies at Peking University, and discusses ‘ren’ — a concept that occupies a central place in the Confucian philosophy.

 

[BH] “Ren is a very splendid word idea, but what does it actually mean. What quality does it imply?”

[TM] “Well, many people tried to translate it differently. It has been translated as human heartedness, as good or goodness. But we prefer now to use the word humanity, because virtually all Confucian values are linked to this notion. Courage with ren, then it’s real courage rather than just simply bravery. Justice with ren, then it’s a humane justice rather than just harsh punishment. Wisdom with ren, then it’s being wise not just being smart.”

 

[BH] “And is this something that you achieve or is looking for ren a constant quest?”

[TM] “Every person, by definition of ‘being a person,’ embodies ren. In other words, every human being is capable of sympathetic response to the external world. But at the same time, to realise ren fully, which means human flourishing in the most comprehensive sense of the term, that requires learning. And learning, of course, is not simply the acquisition of knowledge or internalisation of skills but basically learning to build one’s character. And in that sense, it’s like the highest ideal. At the same time, it’s a minimum requirement to be human.”

 

[BH] “Do you think that Confucius felt that he had achieved ren?”

[TM] “No. And the interesting things is that many students or followers of Confucius also said no. Ren requires a continuous process of struggling. Even to the end of your life, this is still a task incomplete. So, no matter what, the struggle to be fully human continues.”