User:Chase Jenkins

Chase Jenkins

Ambiguous Definition
Gentlemen (junzi), translates in Chinese to literally mean “rulers son”, but in the Analects the connotation can make the definition closer to one of two things. One definition is just a person of a high social class, while the other definition is more complex, and refers to behaving like an “upstanding citizen” or like an upper class person should. A lot of the analects that incorporate the term gentlemen are trying to say that if you are of a high social standing, your behavior should reflect that. For example, one Analect says “If the gentleman is not grave, then he does not inspire awe”(1.8), and in this specific Analect it is clear that he is talking about the term gentleman in the social sense. However, the term gentleman is also used with people that are not necessarily of noble lineage and it simply refers to how one should behave. In book 1 section 14, he states “A gentleman avoids seeking to satisfy his appetite to the full when he eats and avoid seeking comfort when he is at home”. In this case, the term gentleman is not referring to a social standing, but rather how an individual behaves.

The ambiguity of this definition can make it difficult sometimes to discern what exactly Confucius means in some of his Analects. For example, in book 12 section 4, it says "the gentleman is neither worried nor afraid!" and the rest of the Analect does not hint towards which definition is correct. In this case, we can assume that both definitions would be correct because they both fit when put into the Analect. Although it doesn't seem like both definitions being right makes logical sense, the point of Confucius' Analects are to teach a lesson, and in this case no matter what definition is put into place, the same lesson would be learned. Whether it is a person of high social status or an everyday citizen, neither should be "worried nor afraid". Book 13 section 26 says "The gentleman is dignified but no arrogant. The small man is arrogant but not dignified". At first glance, it seems like gentleman is referring to social class because of the second sentence that says "small man", but Confucius is saying that what makes you a gentleman is being "dignified but not arrogant". In this case it does not matter your social class, only your behavior is what makes you a gentleman. A lot of the analects have the term gentleman, and while it is important to know the definition, whats even more important is understanding the lesson behind it in each specific Analect in which it is used.

Relation to Todays Society
This idea of behaving like a gentleman seems to be reversed in modern society. Confucius talks about how gentleman should behave with compassion, but in todays society rich people often behave like they are superior to people in a lower class. In book 2 section 14, it says “the gentleman has universal sympathies”,  in this instance saying that a person of nobility should have sympathies toward all of those around them. In todays society this is simply not the case as the term “the rich get richer” shows that economically and socially, people of a higher class often only seek to better themselves. An analect that nails this point down further is book 4 section 5 which starts off by saying “Riches and honours-- these are what men desire, but if this is not achieved in accordance with the appropriate principles, one does not cling to them”, and then goes on to say “the gentleman never shuns humaness”. I think this point can be closely contrasted to how a lot of people only gain riches through the exploitation of their workers. Confucius tells us that these riches are not honorable as they are not made with solid principles and compassion in mind.

Other Texts
"Just as in walking about you pay attention so as not to step on a nail or twist your foot, pay attention in the same way so as not to harm your ruling principle" (Epictetus Handbook #38). In this quote from Epictetus Handbook, the message that is trying to be conveyed is that you should not waver in your principle or your beliefs or let any outside force allow you to change your morals. In the Analects book 14 section 5, it says "such a man is indeed a gentleman, such a man does indeed honor virtue". In this quote, we can draw a comparison between the word virtue and the word principle in the Handbook, and then you can see that they are essentially talking about the same thing, which is that you should not waver in your morals and you should hold them to a high standard.

"What is yours is to play the assigned part well" (Epictetus Handbook #17). In this quote it is saying that you are not in control over the situation you are born into, but it is your responsibility to fill that role to the best of your abilities. This draws an interesting parallel to Confucius who also believes that you have a role in society, whether it be as a "gentleman" or as a father, and it is your responsibility to fulfill that role and not abandon it. A quote from the Analects that backs this belief up comes from book 2- section 3 where it says "if one does not understand fate, one has no means of becoming a gentleman", and fate refers to a set future that you have little to no control in.

"Do not set your heart on wealth, there is no ignoring fate and destiny" (Amenemope Chapter 7 line 1). In this quote the message that is trying to be conveyed is very simple, do not set standards of wealth for yourself because destiny and fate have already been decided for you. This quote ties very closely with Confucius idea of fate and destiny, shown in many of the Analects. One analect in particular says "death and life are predestined, and riches and honours depend on Heaven" (book 12 section 5). This analect is essentially saying the same thing only replacing the word "wealth" with "riches and honour", but keeping the same idea that wealth is out of your control and it is left up to destiny and fate to decide that outcome.

An interesting comparison that can be drawn between Amenemope and the Analects is the use of the world noble in Amenemope compared to the use of the word gentleman in the Analects, which in some cases actually means noble. In chapter 12 of Amenemope it says "Do not desire a nobles wealth", which is interesting because you are also not supposed to desire riches in the Analects, but you are supposed to desire the morals and behaviors of the gentleman. In the Analects, even if you are not of a high social standing, you still are supposed to act like you are which is what truly makes you a gentleman or a noble in the ethically sense.