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Profound Chinese&the unique Analects of Confucius
Release date:2021-03-25 16:04:11   publisher:   office viewed:

When we talk about the Analects, what are we talking about? Many people would consider this sacred and esoteric book. But in fact, when we step into it, we will suddenly see that the great wisdom of the Analects of Confucius is actually around us and permeates our life.


当我们在谈论《论语》时,我们在谈论些什么?许多人会认为这是一本神圣而高深难懂的书。但其实当我们步入其中,便会豁然开朗,发现论语的大智慧其实就在我们身边,渗透在我们的生活中。




In China, when we see others arguing, we often say that “和为贵(peace is most precious)". When we tell someone who likes to talk more than to do, we can say, “敏于事而慎于言(Be swift in action but slow in words)” When we tell a person to think before acting, we can say, “三思而后行(Think before you act)” When we advise a man to be patient, we can say, “小不忍则乱大谋(A little impatience leads to great mischief)”. In particular, when we talk about each age in our life, we may say, “三十而立,四十不惑,五十而知天命,六十而耳顺,七十而从心所欲(At 30, we should be standing ; at 40, we should be free from doubts; at 50, we should know our destiny; at 60, we should be attentive to our ears; and at 70, we should follow our heart's desire) ” The above sentences are from the Analects. Today let us explore the last long sentence together, and try to enjoy the golden house of the Analects of Confucius.

当我们看见别人争执的时候,常劝解到“和为贵”;当我们告诉喜欢多说少做的人,会说“敏于事而慎于言”;当我们劝解一个人多想想再行动的时候,会劝说道“三思而后行”;当我们劝解一个人要忍耐时,会说“小不忍则乱大谋”;当我们形容食物的精妙时,会说到“食不厌精,脍不厌细”。特别的,当我们谈到人生每个年龄段时,会说“三十而立,四十而不惑,五十而知天命,六十而耳顺,七十而从心所欲”。今天就让我们一起来探索这句话,走进论语的黄金屋。     


01

01    

三十而立(sān shí ér lì)

“三十” refers to 30-year-old,“而” is used as a conjunction, which have been used since ancient times, can be used to connect words, phrases and clauses to express various relationships, such as coordinate relationship, progressive relationship, turning relationship, etc. “立” refers to someone is able to rely on his own abilities to independently shoulder his responsibilities, and he has already determined his life goals and development direction. It can be summarized in three aspects: establishing a career and a family. Standing up is to establish one’s own character and cultivation, which should include three aspects: the cultivation of thought, the cultivation of morals, and the cultivation of ability; Establishing a career is to establish the career that one is engaged in, and establishing a career has not one meaning of survival, but also fulling social responsibility. Necessary; To establish a family is to have their own family, and young people must take up social and family responsibilities.

1 三十而立

三十岁的人, 应该能依靠自己的本领独立承担起自己应承受的责任,并已经确定自己的人生目标与发展方向。简单说,三十岁的人应该能坦然地面对一切了。它可以用立身立业立家三个方面概括。

1. 立身就是确立自己的品格和修养,它应包括:思想的修养,道德的涵养,能力的培养三个方面;

2. 立业就是确立自己所从事的事业,立业不但是求生的手段,也是尽到社会责任所必备的;

3. 立家就是有了自己的家庭,年轻人必须负起社会和家庭的责任。



02

02    

四十而不惑(sì shí ér bù huò)

“四十” refers to forty-year-old , “不惑” refers to sensible and sober. There are three explanations.

First, externally, he understands society. The relationship between people and society is the relationship between individuals and groups. Individuals are a member of a group. Individuals cannot control the group, so it must be faced up. Individual ideals and desires must be based on the reality of society, otherwise they are utopian.

Second, internally, he understands himself. The growth is the gradual strengthening of the heart during the experience, and returning to life is to turn external things into inner energy. Have ideals instead of delusions; have desires instead of extravagant hopes; have deeds instead of acting arrogantly.

Third, to himself, he understands the responsibility. He must assume social responsibilities, family responsibilities and the responsibility of raising children.

l 四十而不惑

四十岁的人是十分理智和清醒的,对外,他明白了社会;对内,他明白了自己;对自己,他明白了责任。

1. 对外,他明白了社会。人和社会的关系就是个体和群体的关系,个体是群体中的一分子,个体左右不了群体,那就必须正视它,个人的理想和愿望必须建立在现实社会的基础之上,否则就是空想。

2. 对内,他明白了自己。所谓成长是内心在历练中的逐渐强大,所谓人生的归位是把外在的东西变成内心的能量。有理想,而不是妄想;有愿望,而不奢望;有作为,而不妄为。

3. 对自己,他明白了责任。他必须承担社会责任、家庭责任和抚养子女责任。   

0303    

03



五十而知天命(wǔ shí ér zhī tiān mìnɡ)

“五十” refers to forty-year-old, “知” refers to that someone knows something,  “天命” refers to the destiny. “The destiny” is what we call karma today. He knew that there must be something in the destiny, and don't insist on what is not in the destiny. In ancient Chinese philosophy, heaven is regarded as a god and can determine the fate of human beings. The idea of "Mandate of Heaven" is still preserved in Confucius's theory.

l 五十而知天命

中国古代哲学中把天当作神,天能决定人类命运。在孔子的学说中,还保存有“天命”的观点。孔子“五十而知天命”,“天命”就是我们今天讲的因果报应,他知道了,命里有的一定有,命里没有的别强求,乐天知命,丝毫强求都没有,到五十岁明白了这个道理,一切通达了。

04    

04


六十而耳顺(liù shī ér ě shù)


“六十” refers to sixty-year-old, “耳” refers to ear,  “顺” refers to be steady. The whole meaning, At the age of sixty, even though others say good and bad things, I can listen to them without being moved or angry, and my heart is still calm.

Hu Shi said: ear is able to tolerate “offensive” words, listen to “adverse” not feel “offensive”.

I think is more important, people in this age, no matter what, what frustrations, can do not excited, and to think calmly, make oneself mood conform to the objective environment, comply with the law of things, learn to don't angry, not discouraged, not sad, not retreat, to be yourself, consistent position。

l 六十而耳顺

到了六十岁,好话坏话尽管人家去说,自己都听得进去而毫不动心、生气,心里依然平静。胡适说:耳顺是能容忍“逆耳”之言,听“逆言”不觉得“逆耳”。我觉得更重要的是,人到了这个岁数,不管听到什么言论,遇到什么坎坷曲折,都能做到不激动,而冷静地进行思考,使自己的情绪顺应客观环境,顺应事物规律,学会不暴躁,不气馁,不悲伤,不退缩,达到宠辱不惊,始终如一的境地。



05



七十而从心所欲(qī shī ér cónɡ xīn suǒ yù)  

“七十” refers to forty-year-old, “从心” refers to following your heart, “所” is  used as a word which indicates ownership. “欲” refers to desires. To follow one's inclinations is simply to obey one's own ideas and do whatever one wants. But very important is the latter three words: do not violate the rules, do not violate the rules, then, how should do, I think it should be: follow one's heart and let nature take its course; Do what you want; Do what you want without breaking the rules.

In short, the sentence enlightens us that every age is a necessary stage of life, and no one can escape. How long we can live is a matter of God, it doesn't bother us.  The initiative of how to live has always been in our hands. As long as you want, every age group can live the best of themselves.

l七十而从心所欲

七十从心所欲,很简单,就是顺从自己的想法,想做什么就做 什么。但很重要的是后面的三个字:不逾矩,得不违反规矩,那么,应该怎样去做,我认为应该是:从心所欲要顺其自然;从心所欲要随遇而安;从心所欲要不逾矩。


   

In short, the sentence enlightens us that every age is a necessary stage of life, and no one can escape. How long we can live is a matter of God, it doesn't bother us.  The initiative of how to live has always been in our hands. As long as you want, every age group can live the best of themselves.


总之,这句论语启示我们每一个年龄段都是人生的必经阶段,没有人可以逃得开。能活多久是老天的事,不劳我们费神。怎样活,活出怎样的自己,主动权一直在我们手里。只要你愿意,每个年龄段都可以活出最好的自己。






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