Chapter 12 Confucius/The Almighty Educator

Confucius (551-479 BC) was a thinker, educator, and founder of Confucianism in the Spring and Autumn Period of my country.The name is Qiu, and the word is Zhongni.A native of Zouyi (now Qufu, Shandong) in the state of Lu.The doctrine centered on benevolence and righteousness established by him had a great influence on the political, economic, cultural and moral systems of the Chinese nation. Confucius was also a musician. He taught students the six arts of rites, music, archery, imperialism, calligraphy, and mathematics. Music plays an important role.He has studied music hard, can compose music, is also good at playing the qin, drum, zither, sheng and chime, and is good at singing.He once learned to play the piano from the famous musician Shi Xiang. "Historical Records The Family of Confucius" records that Confucius learned the piano from Shi Xiang. One day, Shi Xiang gave him a piece of music and asked him to practice it by himself. He practiced for more than ten days, but he still didn't want to stop.Shi Xiang couldn't bear it anymore and said, "You can practice with another tune." Confucius replied, "Although I am familiar with its tune, I haven't mastered its rules yet." After a while, Shi Xiang said again : "You have mastered its rules, you can practice with another tune." Confucius replied: "I haven't comprehended its musical image yet." , as if he had changed.This time, without waiting for Shi Xiang to ask questions, Kong Liao said first: "I have already experienced the image of music. He is dark, tall, and has far-reaching eyes. He seems to have the air of a king. This person must be King Wen of Zhou." Shi Xiang listened Come on, I was surprised, because this song is "Wen Wang Cao", and he didn't tell Confucius in advance.

Confucius' piano skills are very high. Once, Confucius was playing the zither indoors, while his students Zengzi and Zigong were listening outside.At the end of the song, Zeng Zi said: "The teacher's piano sound is full of greed and cruelty. This is not in line with benevolence and righteousness." Zigong went in and asked Confucius.Confucius said: "Zeng Shen is really not easy! When I was playing the zither just now, I saw a mouse running out, and there was a civet cat walking along the beam, trying to catch the mouse. Show that emotion." Confucius was good at singing, and "Historical Records: The Family of Confucius" says "Three hundred and five chapters (), all of which are sung by Confucius". "Mozi Gongmeng Pian" also said that Confucianism "recites "Three Hundred Poems", strings "Three Hundred Poems", sings "Three Hundred Poems", and dances "Three Hundred Poems".When he heard that others sang well, he must ask him to sing it again, and then learn to sing along.When he was with his students, there was always the sound of stringed songs. Except for funerals, he sang almost anytime and anywhere. Food, even eating has become a problem, he and his students are still playing the piano and singing.He also sang a song of mourning for himself just seven days before his death.

Confucius' requirements for music include two aspects: "goodness" and "beauty".Goodness refers to the healthy and positive content, and beauty refers to the maturity and beauty of art.According to legend, Shun's music is called "Shao", and Zhou Wu Wang's music is called "Wu". Confucius once commented: ""Wu" is perfect, but not perfect." Although it was a just battle, force was used after all, and there was some distance between the benevolent government theory advocated by Confucianism and the abdication of Yao and Shun admired by Confucianism.He attached great importance to the educational function of music, and placed it in an equally important position as poetry and ritual.He said: "Prosper in poetry, stand in ritual, and succeed in music." It can be seen how important music is in the cultivation of people.

Confucius was also a first-class music connoisseur.He enjoyed the "Shao" music in Qi State, and was completely fascinated by this solemn and solemn music. "I don't know the taste of meat in March". A major contribution of Confucius in the history of music is that he once made a comprehensive arrangement of Chinese music.When Confucius returned to the State of Lu in his later years, he felt that the rites and music were broken at that time, so he conducted a large-scale Zhengyue.He said: "I defend myself against Lu, and then I am happy, and "Ya" and "Song" have their respective places." However, his discrimination against folk music, the so-called "Zheng Sheng", also had some negative effects on future generations.

About 481 BC, Zhao Jianzi killed two virtuous officials, and Confucius composed the qin song "Zou Cao" to commemorate them.Later, many qin melodies were attached to be composed by Confucius, including "Guishan Cao", "Jianggui Cao", "Huolin Cao", "Yi Lan Cao" and so on.