In Book four, we are introduced with the teachings based on the virtue of Goodness. It states that a true gentleman achieves Goodness by finding happiness and satisfaction requiring nothing in return. "The Master said, "Without Goodnes, one cannot remain constant in adversity and cannot enjoy enduring happiness. Those who are Good feel at home in Goodness, whereas those who are clever follow Goodness because they feel that they will profit from it." (Book 4: 2) However, we later learn that only those who indeed are Good will be able to profit from Goodness because those who aren't clever enough won't be able to follow and benefit from Goodness. But then I got really confused. It said that the strength of a person to simply devote his efforts to Goodness is present within everybody. So, what is it that it is missing for the accomplishment of Goodness for one self? My doubts were cleared when I came to learn that "someone whose strength is genuinely insufficient collapses somewhere along the Way." (Book 6: 12) What is the Way? Is it like the path towards Goodness?
So concluding, a true gentleman is that who no matter the circumstances, will always chose right over wrong as well as he will respect and honor his elders and roots. This might be because those who are older, are richer. I don't mean richer in wealth, but in knowledge and understanding. However, wealth and poverty were also mentioned in the teachings. It says that poverty and meanness are what men dislike, for richness and honors are what men desire. The Master said that things can only happen if you follow the Way to get to them. Therefore, if you can't obtain wealth in the proper way, it should not be held. In this same manner, I can somehow understand that somewhere along the Way, one can collapse or continue through a wrong path, which won't guide you towards the planned end. In other words, if you do not follow the path, it is unlikely and unreasonable for you to obtain what was wanted. Only through Goodness can one hope to be prosperous and complete.
"What I do not wish others to undo unto me, I also wish not to do unto others." (Book 5: 12) Of all the quotes in these three books, this was my favorite. The message given by it is the same exact one that is given by a popular quote heard constantly in our society. "Don't do to others what you wouldn't want done unto you." I found it very interesting that a quote so known to people could have gone so far back and moreover, make part of the teachings of such an old religion.
Then, it talks all about politics which is something that I certainly hate. Politicians promise and promise but once they are elected, they just don't do anything. What is it that goes through their minds when they compromise on making changes? Anyways, going back to Confucius, he talks about the leaders and what they do and how they do it in order to follow the Way. Throughout all of this Book, examples were given in order to explain whether someone was or not considered properly Good. I learned that as long as it follows the Way it is Good and if you rule with Goodness and lead the people towards the Way, it is accepted. In order to truly be a man full of virtue, you have to balance accomplishments and solid qualities.
In Book six, Confucius gives a close definition to what Goodness is: "One who is Good sees as his first priority the hardship of self-cultivation, and only after thinks about results or rewards. Yes, this is what we might call Goodness." (Book 6: 22) Goodness is basically the effort towards reaching a severe accomplishment. When this is reached, the rewards are of no concern for he will be already satisfied. As the Master had previously said, those who are Good feel at home in Goodness, so if that individual who achieved his goal is concerned about the rewards, he is not Good. But I don't think he is to blame, for wherever there is Good, there must be bad in order for there to be a balance.
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