As the founder of Confucianism, the most holy teacher Confucius has always been regarded as a moral model by the world. His words and deeds are often regarded as norms by believers, and have a profound influence on future generations. In the eyes of many people, Confucius was known for being gentle, kind and generous, and he never uttered bad words in his life, but this was not the case in reality. For example, Confucius once said a dirty word to his disciple Zaiwo, and it became a "mantra" for later generations. What exactly happened?
Zaiwo, whose real name is Zaiyu and whose courtesy name is Ziwo, was from the state of Lu in the late Spring and Autumn Period. He was 29 years younger than Confucius. According to historical records, Zaiwo was articulate and eloquent, and was deeply loved by Confucius at first. While traveling around the world with his teacher, he was sent as an envoy to Qi, Chu and other countries. Unlike Yan Yuan, Min Ziqian and others who unconditionally obeyed the teacher's teachings, Zai Wo had strong independent thinking ability and always adhered to the learning attitude of "not just books, not just teachers". He often argued with Confucius on certain issues, and for this He repeatedly offended the teacher.
For example, Zaiwo strongly disagrees with Confucius’s suggestion that everyone should observe mourning for three years after the death of their parents. He claims that if everyone does this, many undertakings will be wasted, which is extremely unfair. It is conducive to social stability, so for practical reasons, the son of a man only needs to observe filial piety for his parents for one year. Confucius was very disgusted after hearing this, so after Zaiyu left, he scolded him in front of other students as heartless and unworthy of being a son of man (for details, see "The Analects of Confucius? Yanghuo Chapter").
Not only did Zaiwo oppose the three-year observance of filial piety to his parents, he also disagreed with the core part of Confucius’ thought - benevolence. According to Confucius, "Benevolence" is the fundamental law on which human society depends, and it is omnipresent in the world. However, a gentleman must follow the benevolent and persevere in self-cultivation. In this regard, when Zaiwa was debating with his teacher, he once posed a dilemma to the latter, claiming that if someone deceives a benevolent person and says that there is a "benevolent person" in the well, should he go down the well and follow him?
Knowing that it was a trap, Confucius had no choice but to "play Tai Chi" with him. He replied that a gentleman will follow a benevolent person, but he will never fall into danger; a gentleman may be deceived, but he will not be like him. Being fooled like that. Confucius's answer seemed clever, but the meaning was very reluctant, and could not convince Zaiwo at all (? Zaiwo asked: "A benevolent man, even if you tell him that there is benevolence in a well, how can he follow it?" Confucius said: "What is it?" Is this true? A gentleman can pass away, but cannot be trapped; he can be deceived, but cannot be ignored. (See "The Analects of Confucius, Yong Ye Chapter").
Today, Zai's spirit of "not just books, not teachers" and independent thinking is worthy of recognition. However, in ancient times, when respecting teachers, teaching, and obeying authority, they were often dismissed. Being regarded as a "heresy" will inevitably lead to condemnation from the entire society. Confucius never tired of arguing with Zai Wo, and his dissatisfaction accumulated day by day. Finally, he cursed him angrily on a small matter and scolded him bloody. What is going on?
It turned out that when Confucius was teaching students one morning, he found that Zaiwo was not present. After asking other students, he learned that this guy was hiding in the dormitory and sleeping in. As a model of a gentleman in the world, Confucius was extremely disciplined in everything he said and did. He had never said bad words in public before. This time, perhaps because of his strange anger, Confucius cursed me in front of the students, which shocked Yan Yuan, Zigong and others.
It turns out that after Confucius gave me a beating, he suddenly uttered two curse words, claiming that Zaiwo was like a piece of rotten wood, not worth carving, and like a wall made of dung. Not worth applying anymore. In a word, Zai I is like a stubborn "garbage", and he is completely desperate (Zai Yu sleeps during the day. Confucius said, "Rotten wood cannot be carved, and a wall of dung soil cannot be built! How can I punish Yu Yu?" See "The Analects of Confucius" ?Gongye Long Story"). What Confucius didn't expect was that the two curse words he used to curse me would be spread for thousands of years and become a "mantra" used by people in the world to scold themselves or others for not living up to expectations.