Let’s take a look at Confucius’ summary of himself:

When I was fifteen I was determined to learn; If your ears are attuned, at seventy you can follow your heart and follow your desires without exceeding the rules.

This sentence is Confucius's explanation of several nodes in his life. Using these nodes as boundaries, we can see the five realms of Confucius' life.

Before Confucius was thirty, he was still unable to stand on his own due to lack of knowledge;

From thirty to forty, there were still many doubts about the basis of self-reliance;

Forty to fifty, although they can see things clearly without doubts, they still don’t know their destiny;

From fifty to sixty, they already know where their destiny is, but they still don’t know where their destiny is. You still can't tolerate things that conflict with your destiny.

From sixty to seventy, you can basically reconcile the differences between yourself and the outside world, but you still can't express yourself freely.

It can be seen that this is not only Confucius’ summary of his own life, but more like Confucius’s expectation of the realm that all people should achieve.

Node: Fifteen is determined to learn.

In the process of our contact with society, it is the most basic requirement for us to be independent and basically not dependent on others. In today's terms: it means dealing with problems like an adult.

Node: Standing at thirty.

On the basis of self-reliance, we will seek further development, improve our three views internally, and pursue career achievements externally. In this process, let alone dealing with the relationship between internal and external, it is just a simple matter Some people who establish their own three views will encounter many things that are difficult to solve and make people scratch their heads. At this stage, we will be confused, but we will seek answers to the questions that trouble us on the basis of completing our duties.

Node: Forty is not confused.

In another ten years, when we can deal with various things around us more systematically and comprehensively, we will not continue to be confused under normal circumstances, and we will be able to understand more rationally. I know my past and present, but I still can’t figure out my future and the meaning of life.

Node: You will know your destiny at fifty.

One day, we will understand the meaning of our lives and initially reach the state of knowing our own mind and nature. At this time, we can already fully answer those three philosophical questions: Who am I? Where do I come from, where do I want to go. People who have reached this realm have gained their own way. They can see all the processes of their existence on the timeline, so their minds are now indestructible. However, people at this time do not have a particularly clear understanding of other people's "Tao", and they cannot agree with things that are different from their own Tao.

Node: Sixty Ershun

The status after Ershun can be ignored here. Let’s look at what destiny is.

In the world of Confucius, destiny lies beyond human affairs and requires human effort to understand. To know the destiny, you must first not be confused, and you must first be self-reliant. Knowing destiny means that destiny can be known, and it also shows that destiny already exists, but people don’t know it.

There is a poem that says, "I don't know the true face of Mount Lu, I just live in this mountain." It is impossible to have a correct understanding of destiny only from a personal perspective. If you want to know the essence of destiny, you should go beyond the individual. , standing in the air and overlooking, you will have different gains.

If the entire human society is viewed as a whole, then the "destiny" of each of us is determined by others, but at the same time, none of us have the ability to consciously and purposefully determine the fate of others. Therefore, all personal destinies are intertwined, forming an unknowable chaotic system. It is beyond the reach of human beings to consciously and purposefully control the fate of everyone at the same time.

But this does not mean that destiny is a completely unchangeable existence for the individual himself. Otherwise, what Confucius said about being obedient and following the heart's desires without going beyond the rules would be completely meaningless. For individuals, destiny is The reason why it is knowable is because we ourselves can know and control it. Although our words, deeds, and thoughts cannot determine destiny in a complete sense, we can influence it to the greatest extent possible! In the ancient proverb, it is called "do your best and obey fate." And in the current popular discourse system, it also has a similar meaning, that is, the vulgar and inspirational sentence: "Know what you want", and then "Kneel down the path you choose." I have to finish walking.”

Something like destiny is the trajectory of your life. If you have no intention and just go with the flow, then your destiny will be an unpredictable random curve. But if you have the intention and can do your best, then your destiny, although there are ups and downs, there is always hope to achieve the goal in your heart.