Confucius guides Fan Chi along the path of goodness
Confucius never provided a single, universal definition of his supreme virtue of goodness (仁/rén), often translated as benevolence or humaneness. Perhaps this was because he viewed goodness not as an all-encompassing principle but as a continuous process of self-improvement, tailored to the individual.
In the Analects, whenever his followers inquired about the meaning of goodness, Confucius customizes his response to address the specific needs or shortcomings of the questioner. For instance, in Chapter 19 of Book 13, he identifies three key areas that Fan Chi, a former military commander and close confidant of Ran Qiu, needs to focus on:
Fan Chi asked about goodness. Confucius said: “Be considerate in your private life, diligent in your public affairs, and loyal in your relationships with others. Even when you are among the Yi and Di tribes, do not deviate from these principles.”
樊遲問仁。子曰：「居處恭，執事敬，與人忠，雖之夷狄，不可棄也。」
By reminding Fan Chi that he should uphold these principles even when he finds himself among people of different cultures or in unfamiliar territories, Confucius emphasizes that the pursuit of goodness must be consistent regardless of your circumstances or surroundings. This approach underscores the idea that goodness is not merely situational but a personal quality that constantly guides your actions no matter where you happen to be and who you happen to be with.
Related Links
Leadership Lessons from Confucius: a good life
The Analects of Confucius Book 13 New English Translation
