In the last chapter of "The Analects", the great sage Confucius proposed that people should have "three knowledges", namely "knowing fate", "knowing rituals" and "knowing words". It can be said to be a wise saying in life. And "knowing fate" ranks first. So, what exactly does Confucius mean by "knowing fate" here? How can we "know our fate and act accordingly"?
Let’s first take a look at the last chapter of the original text "The Analects of Confucius. Yao said", which is also the last chapter of the whole book:
Original text
Confucius said: "If you don’t know fate, you will have no destiny. Think of yourself as a gentleman; if you don't know etiquette, you can't stand up; if you don't know how to speak, you can't understand others."
Translation
Confucius said: "If you don't understand, you can't understand others. If you don't know the rules of etiquette, you can't be a gentleman; if you can't understand the language, you can't judge people."
Analysis
The question of fate is always one. The big questions that plague life. Destiny lies between the knowable and the unknowable, that is, destiny definitely exists. Because there are indeed external contingency factors in human life and future that cannot be controlled by human beings. How to pay attention to, understand, recognize, and value contingency, and then use or counteract this contingency, or not be influenced by it, and build one's own in the contingency? This is the inevitability of settling down and settling down. In this way, you will not think inappropriately, which is what a gentleman does. "Knowing etiquette" means knowing the content and form of etiquette in order to gain a foothold in society. Being able to know people and identify talents is the starting point for dealing with interpersonal relationships and the key to mastering the standards. These three aspects are the prerequisite and key to whether a person can gain a foothold and succeed. The entire "Analects of Confucius" ends with this chapter, echoing the first chapter. Starting from consciously studying hard to acquiring the ability to know destiny, know etiquette, and know words, it is the entire content of life and the true meaning and value of life.
From the above, we can see that among the "three knowledges", "knowing fate" is the first! Let's explain the meaning of "knowing destiny": "knowing destiny" means "knowing destiny"
The "knowing destiny" mentioned by Confucius is the "knowing destiny" when he said that he "knows destiny at fifty", Contains very complex meanings. Personally, I think there are several main meanings: Destiny exists objectively. The Mandate of Heaven includes the historical mission carried out by the Way of Heaven. Destiny includes the life mission that an individual carries out. The starting point of life is different, the foundation is different, and the requirements cannot be the same. Just do your best on the basis of what you have now. If you can work hard and do your best, you will have a clear conscience if you "reflect inwardly and don't feel guilty."
The above four points will be discussed separately below. 1. Destiny exists objectively.
Destiny exists objectively. This objective existence actually refers to the individuality and particularity of the state of life. Everyone has a different destiny when they are born. Being born into a poor family is different from being born into a rich family; being born into a beggar's family is different from being born into an emperor's family. In this situation, individuals have no right to choose, but it is entirely destiny. Time and space in life are also destiny. The quality of life of children born in turbulent countries such as Libya, Iraq, and Afghanistan is very different from those in developed countries. This is also destiny. People who were born during the Zhenguan period and the prosperous ages of Kangxi and Qianlong were generally happy, while people who were born after the Opium War were generally suffering. It was also fate, and people could not choose or control it. 2. The Mandate of Heaven includes the historical mission carried out by the Law of Heaven
Any country, territory, and period has a large historical mission carried out by the Law of Heaven. This is also what is commonly said to be the “will of the people” in every region and every period. ”, “The general trend is the general trend”. For example: In a peaceful country and territory, what Heaven and the people want are "peaceful life", "cultural development", "economic development" and so on. In the war years, for countries and territories, what heaven and the people want are "peace", "unification", "repelling foreign humiliation", "national unity" and so on. 3. Destiny includes the life mission performed by an individual
From a person's perspective, in layman's terms, it is "the mission given to a person by God". This mission may be big or small, big or small. The smaller ones include managing the family, cultivating one's moral character, having children and reproducing offspring; the larger ones govern the country and bring peace to the world. Big or small, it depends on a person's own abilities, conditions, and ambitions. Common people, ordinary thoughts, managing their families, cultivating themselves, and having children will be considered as fulfilling their destiny. If they are qualified, capable, and aware, they may realize that their personal destiny is not only to cultivate their moral character, manage their families, and have children, but also to govern the country, bring peace to the world, stabilize people's hearts, promote peace, develop science and technology, Develop the economy and so on. Therefore, it can be big or small, and it varies with people, environment, and conditions. For example: Some people say, "I can only be a carpenter in my life, and I'm afraid I won't be able to do anything else." Some people say, "I want to make an invention in this life to bring convenience to people's lives." Some people say, "The world is declining. People's hearts are uncertain, I want to be an educator, promote correct views, and create a harmonious society, etc. These are all based on their own conditions and abilities, and they discover their destiny in this life. 4. Only by combining the mission carried out by Heaven and the mission achievable by individuals can we achieve and complete this mission. Only then can we achieve the true meaning of "knowing our destiny and acting on it", achieving our own value and reaching the highest realm of life.
Most of the great men and ancient sages knew the destiny of heaven. They knew that the mission to be carried out by heaven was combined with the mission that they could realize to achieve their own life value.
Just like Confucius, he traveled around the world in his middle age, originally intending to realize his political ambitions. Unfortunately, the political opinions of various countries at that time were different, chaotic, and unsound. His political views ran into obstacles everywhere. Later, he experienced a lot. After the twists and turns, he discovered: "It turns out that my destiny is like this! My destiny is not to be a politician, but to be a person who can establish correct political opinions!" Therefore, his political teaching was successful, and his subsequent political thinking became a success. Important political opinions that influence Chinese culture and governance! This is the combination of mission and personal destiny required in the historical period! When a dynasty declines and when a dynasty rises, the number of heroes doubles. This is also a combination of destiny in historical periods and personal destiny. The same is true for the great development of science and technology, economy, and culture in peacetime, which also creates a double number of talents. 5. How can today's Chinese people better "know the fate and act" 1. Understand the direction of destiny and the will of the people in this historical period
We have experienced reform and opening up for many years. The domestic economic level has advanced by leaps and bounds, and people's lives have improved by leaps and bounds. We have achieved adequate food and clothing, and have almost reached the level of moderate prosperity. However, the gap between the rich and the poor has widened, people are vain, and there are still many difficulties in the world. What kind of destiny does this require? It means educating the people, uniting the people, reducing the gap between the rich and the poor, developing national strength, etc.
2. How to act after knowing the destiny
After understanding the destiny in the current period, how to combine your own abilities to make a difference? Educators and cultural people should promote correct views, educate the people, advocate unity and harmony, and eliminate negative voices; business and financial giants should devote themselves to charity; scientific and technological workers should devote themselves to science and technology; medical workers should devote themselves to medical care, etc. , this is all "knowing the fate and doing it"!
Therefore, "knowing the destiny and acting on it" means to understand the historical mission carried out by the way of heaven and combine it with the personal destiny, so as to better realize one's own value and reach the highest realm of life!