Chapter 13 first quarter

It is a pleasure to meet with friends from the Confucius Research Association again today.The party was supposed to be held in the spring, but unfortunately, due to heavy rain, it did not take place.Later, I planned to go out again, but the time could not be fixed, and it has been delayed until now.It has been half a year since late autumn last year. You raised a few questions last time, and I plan to answer them after the lunch break. Now we will discuss new topics.Next, the supervisor will preside over the meeting. ——I am the supervisor of this meeting.Thirty-five people attended the gathering today, all of whom are old members of the Confucius Institute.Everyone has some questions and wants to ask Mr. Jiang Jiang.Due to time constraints, a few representatives had to speak, and Mr. Jiang Jiang was invited to teach, and then everyone started a discussion.OK, the Confucius Institute is officially in session, please speak.

——This is my first time attending this kind of party.In the past few years, I and a few like-minded members have focused on studying the disciples of Confucius in his later years and collecting relevant information.Recently, we found an important historical material, which is not the speech of Confucius.But there is no doubt that it is the remarks of a disciple of Confucius—and a disciple of Gaozu. The name of this person cannot be judged yet.I will publish it and ask Mr. Jiang Jiang to advise. "The child is silent and strange." It is these seven words.It is a complete sentence with no other language before or after.This sentence accurately expresses the most fundamental attitude and basic thought of the educator Confucius.I don't know what Mr. Jiang's comment on this is?

Just now you introduced very precious historical materials on the study of Confucius, and I cannot provide any new reference materials.Although I don't know who said this sentence, Confucius is indeed such a person. I have never heard Confucius talk about monsters, power, chaos, and gods.In this sense, this short sentence captures the essence of Confucius as an educator extremely accurately. Some people asked for a word-for-word explanation of what "weird, force, chaos, and god" really mean.This should be answered by the person who provided the historical materials. Now that I have touched on this issue, I will take this opportunity to talk about my personal views.

Whether in the lecture hall or in normal times, Confucius never talked about monsters, power, chaos, and gods. The so-called "weird" can be said to include all strange things such as "weird" and "grotesque".Demons, ghosts, ghosts, and ghosts are all "monsters."I don't know why, but we humans are very interested in "monsters", and we always like to talk about ghosts and monsters.However, Confucius never talked about "weird", and we never talked about these things in front of Confucius. The so-called "force" refers to violence, bravery, and bravery.Confucius avoids talking about "power" because Confucius has always opposed the use of physical strength to intimidate others to solve problems.

The so-called "chaos" refers to "chaos" that violates morality, violates human relations, murders rebels, rebellions, etc., disrupts order and corrupts public morals.Confucius didn't bother to talk about these things. The so-called "God" refers to the souls of the dead, the gods of heaven and earth, and everything that is revered with a devout heart.Confucius kept this at a respectful distance, trying to keep his mind from being moved by the magic and mystery of these gods. From this point of view, Confucius, as a person, always stood in a calm position, denying and avoiding the irrational products of people.In short, no matter what the situation is, Confucius never talks about strangeness, force, chaos, and gods.

The above is my explanation, it is inevitable to make mistakes.Of course, the friend who published the historical materials may have different opinions from mine, and I am willing to listen to his opinions. ——Just now, Mr. Jiang Jiang made a very pertinent speech on the phrase "Silence does not talk, strange power and distraction".Generally speaking, our explanation is basically the same as that of Mr. Jiang Jiang, but we have not directly accepted the teachings of Confucius, so we lack confidence in our own explanation. Today is a special day for us.Because besides me there were two people at the party representing their partners.After they return to the capital of the State of Lu, they will immediately gather their partners together and introduce Mr. Jiang's arguments in detail.The main topic of our research in the future is to find out who said this sentence, when and under what circumstances. We hope to get your support and cooperation.

—— According to the order arranged in advance, I will speak.This is the second time for me to attend this kind of gathering. The previous time I heard Mr. Jiang Jiang's exposition of Confucius' thoughts as an outstanding educator. I was so fascinated that I went down the mountain alone in the middle of the night.Half a year later, I was lucky enough to attend this meeting again.I was the first to participate in the Confucius Research Association, and of course I am an old member. However, compared with Mr. Jiang Jiang, I am still young, and I will continue to study Confucius as hard as Mr. Jiang.

Come to think of it, the study of Confucius will be very interesting.For example, "If the phoenix and the bird don't come, if the river doesn't show the map, I'm dead."This sentence has been debated since more than ten years ago. Some people think it is the speech of Confucius, while others hold a negative attitude.The main purpose of my coming here today is to listen to Mr. Jiang Jiang's opinions on this issue. First of all, I would like to introduce the main differences that everyone is arguing about, for your reference. "The Master said, if the phoenix and the bird don't come, and the river doesn't show the map, I'm dead." Confucius said so.When the Son of Heaven was born, there would definitely be an auspicious phoenix, but there is no such sign now.When the Son of Heaven was born, there would be turtles and dragons carrying the blueprints of Dafa to govern the world on their backs in the Yellow River, but there is no such sign so far.It seems that Sheng Tianzi will not appear, and I am also discouraged and hopeless.

The beginning of this sentence is "Zi Yue", and there are two very different views on this.Some people think that since "Zi said", this sentence must be said by Confucius; others think that although it is "Zi said", but "I am a husband" - "I am also discouraged and desperate" so depressed and low The words will never come from the mouth of Confucius. In addition, some people believe that although it is difficult for Confucius to utter the exclamation "I am my husband", the classical upbringing about Phoenix and Hetu contained in this short sentence, as well as the solemnity of this sentence itself I am afraid that except Confucius, no one else can tell the weight and noble character of his life.

Such a problem is difficult for others to judge except Mr. Jiang Jiang who lived with Confucius for several years. I am very interested in your discussion of this sentence, and I deeply feel how much effort and labor you have spent in order to understand every sentence of Confucius accurately. I heard the phrase "the phoenix never arrives" very early. It was three years after the death of Confucius, when everyone mourned beside the tomb of Confucius.I can't remember whether it was the year Confucius died or the year after, but it was more than 30 years ago.For a period of time, everyone gathered in Zigong's room every night and had lively discussions on how to correctly understand Confucius' speeches.I sometimes go to listen in, but because I am too sad for Confucius' death, I always sit in a far corner.It was at such a party that I heard this phrase for the first time.

In my opinion, the phrase "the phoenix and the bird will not come" should be said to be the speech of Confucius, and it is the speech of Confucius in his later years.Shortly after Confucius' death, this sentence was discussed at a gathering, which shows that this sentence of Confucius had been circulated among some of his disciples in his later years.I don’t know how the research headed by Zi Gong will evaluate and discuss this sentence, but one thing is certain, this research conference will only discuss Confucius’ remarks.This shows that this sentence is indeed the speech of Confucius. Today, more than thirty years later, I have the opportunity to express my own experience with that sentence, so today is an extraordinary day for me. Someone over there raised a hand to ask a question.Please mention it first. ——I will ask two or three questions that may be very naive, and I will ask you to answer them, and then listen to your opinions on "Phoenix Birds Don't Come".One question is, what is Confucius' attitude towards such obvious legends as Fengniao and Hetu? It goes without saying that Confucius did not think that the Phoenix Bird and the River Map were real. Although they were legends of the auspicious sign of the Holy Son of Heaven, he did not despise and hate them because of this.Because this kind of legend is originally born from the dream of looking forward to the Holy Son, it will not poison the society.Perhaps Confucius would also say, who made up this legend, it is so well made up, very elegant and wonderful. ——One more question, if this sentence came from Confucius, when did Confucius say it in his later years? If "I am my husband" is understood as the words of Confucius, we can feel an indescribable sense of loneliness from the joking tone.Based on this calculation, it must be after the death of Kong Li, Yan Hui, and Zilu that only Confucius sighed sadly when he was alone. This sentence was said in the year or the year before Confucius passed away. If there are no other questions, I will talk about my understanding of the appropriate sentence "Phoenix Birds Don't Come".First of all, I always think that these are the words of Confucius.As I have just said, it was during my three years of mourning that I first heard this phrase.In my opinion, among the speeches of Confucius that I know, this sentence best embodies the style of Confucius, and it is the authentic language of Confucius.I imagined the expression of Confucius when he said this sentence in a serious manner.After he finished speaking, he kept his mouth shut, as if asking the people present "what do you think about this sentence", waiting for everyone to express their opinions. I wasn't there at the time, these are my imaginations.Confucius repeated "I am my husband".When Confucius was satisfied with what he said, he often repeated it many times. "I am already a husband" means of course that I am no longer able to do it, it is over.But the same sentence, when spoken by Confucius, has a different atmosphere and content than that spoken by others.When we say "I am already a husband", it must mean that we have become discouraged and hopeless, and even when Confucius said this, he still had a calm attitude, "I am already a husband", he himself has reached this stage!Although Confucius never thought that he would be cornered, but he was already old, and judging from the common sense of society, he might feel that he had reached the end of the road.This is Confucius' helpless sigh.However, this kind of demeanor looking around in a half-joking mood is none other than Confucius.I can't thoroughly explain the meaning of this sentence, but it should be said that Confucius absolutely did not—nor would he have what we call "desperate" mood. Having said that, since he was a human being, Confucius fell into despair once or twice in his life, but Confucius did not regard it as a kind of despair, but as a destiny, as a test of himself from heaven, so he looked up. To God, endure the pain.This is exactly what makes Confucius different from ordinary people.If at this time, Confucius also "I have died", then where will the many disciples go?If these words become Confucius' last words, the disciples will be at a loss and at a loss. How can Confucius be worthy of the students scattered all over the Central Plains? !In that case, Zilu, Yanhui, Zigong, and the students of Confucius in his later years, and even me, Li Jiang, will change the attitude towards life taught by Confucius and follow their own life path.It is a pleasure to say "I have passed away" and leave the world, but it will cause so much trouble to future generations.Therefore, no matter what time, Confucius will not feel desperate, even if he said this, he still maintains a unique and unhurried attitude.So far, there has been no auspicious sign that the Holy Son of Heaven will come down to this world. Confucius, who pinned all his hopes on the Holy Son of Heaven, saw that there was no hope, so he said "it's difficult", "I'm already a husband". I imagined that there was no shadow on Confucius' face, but bright and open.Although there is no sign that the Holy Son of Heaven is about to appear, the era of light is coming, and I will die soon, but I firmly believe that in the near future, this bright and splendid era will surely come, the only regret is that I am no longer in the world .This belief is as firm as a rock and unshakable in Confucius' heart, which makes Confucius always firm, optimistic and calm.While I was alive, I felt sorry that I could not see the realization of my ideals, but this is not important. As long as the era I dreamed of can come, the hard work of myself and the many students who have inherited my legacy will not be in vain.So there is no need to panic now.The greatest thing about Confucius is that he never underestimates the small efforts in ordinary times. He very optimistically foresees that it is the accumulation of such small efforts of human beings that will produce a bright future for human society. Therefore, "I am my husband" was definitely not Confucius' original intention. If he was depressed, it was because the death of Kong Li, Yan Hui, and Zilu had dealt a great blow to Confucius in his later years, making him extremely sad, and he was aging and dying. The shadow is approaching the lonely old man step by step.Why is God so cruel and merciless to Confucius!