In order to be a gentleman, Confucius once thought hard without eating for a day and staying up all night. In this way, it is useless except dizziness. Later, Confucius had an idea that he divided people into four categories: people born with knowledge and truth are the first category; Active learning is second-class; When encountering difficulties, I think that learning is the third class; The people at the bottom are those who hit a wall and don't know how to learn. Confucius classified himself into the second category, which is the qualification of "learning and knowing". After he returned to normal sleep, he studied harder.
According to Zhou Li, a person is an adult when he is 18 years old. When Confucius/kloc-was 0/9 years old, he married the Guan family of Lu Renqi. I gave birth to a son next year. The monarch of Lu unexpectedly sent someone to send a carp as a congratulations. Confucius was proud of this, that is, he named his son carp, the word "fish".
In the era of Confucius, nobles could obtain official positions through heredity. Confucius was not born noble enough. The only way is to learn all the necessary skills for being an official, that is, six arts (etiquette, music, archery, bending, calligraphy and mathematics) to be an official. Noble children can go to aristocratic schools, and the rest are hard to get education. Through his own efforts, Confucius gradually gained profound knowledge, which made people sit up and take notice. Also said that shaving eyes. ...
Someone praised: "Great, Confucius! Although the reputation is not high, the knowledge is so extensive. "
Confucius listened and said modestly, "What can I do? Driving or archery? I'd better drive. "
Of the six arts, driving is the easiest to learn.
There is a small country in southeastern Shandong called Tan. When Confucius was 27 years old, Tan Zi, the monarch of Chen State, visited Lu. Duke Zhao of Lu gave a banquet to entertain the guests. The jar is knowledgeable and tells many ancient stories at the dinner table.
Confucius was deeply impressed and asked to meet him. Confucius gained a lot of knowledge and seriously thought about the problem of dropping out of school in the village. Since the decline of the royal family in the Zhou Dynasty, many cultural figures originally belonging to the royal family have scattered around, and cultural relics and classics have gradually lost their protection.
Confucius was deeply worried about this.
It is a long-term thing to promote one's political opinions by participating in politics. Confucius found a lifelong career for himself: running a private school.
At that time, aristocratic schools were divided into primary schools and universities, which were directly controlled by the government. Children in ordinary families have few opportunities for education. With the decline of the Zhou royal family, the study of monopoly and secrecy by the court has become a thing of the past. Before Confucius ran a school, private schools did not appear formally, and apprenticeships in private schools existed sporadically.
Confucius said, "As long as you give me a little gift, I will teach him, no matter who he is." Confucius was the first person to formally establish a private school.
Among the first students of Confucius were Yan Lu, who was 6 years younger than him, Zhong You, Qin Shang and Ran Geng, who were 9 years younger.
Zhong You, the word, was originally an unemployed young man, with chicken feathers on his head, a long sword around his waist, and wild boar-shaped ornaments on his body, which made him look unassailable. He dressed up to worship Confucius as a teacher.
Confucius said, "Why are you proud? You see, the source of the river comes from the mountains, but the water at the source is too shallow to float a glass. In the middle and lower reaches, people can't cross the river if they don't take big ships and avoid strong winds. You are wearing gorgeous clothes now, and you are domineering: arrogant and aggressive. Who else dares to point out your mistakes? "
Lutz quit, put on a samurai suit, came in again, pulled out his sword and danced in the yard.
After the dance, Luz said, "In ancient times, there was no gentleman who defended himself without a sword. I heard that your father, teacher, was a tiger general before his death, and many people praised him in Yangcheng. Teachers should also learn swordsmanship and inherit their ancestors. "
Confucius said: "Ancient gentlemen were based on loyalty and centered on benevolence. Educate them when they see bad loyalty, and influence them with kindness when they are violent. Why do they use swords to defend themselves? " In ancient times, Cheng Tang crusaded against Xia Jie and King Wu crusaded against Yinzhou, but neither of them drew their swords personally. Convincing people with virtue is convincing; It's no good convincing people with strength, don't you think "
Lutz listened with awe and said, "I heard the teacher's instruction today, just like living in a dark room for a long time and suddenly seeing the light." Please ask the teacher to wait for me to change my clothes before coming to be taught. "
Lutz said he quit, put on his military uniform, raised his sword, and slowly went to court, without the recklessness of Beowulf: he did not consider what he said or did; Just ... like it when you see it.
Confucius said, "Zhongyou, listen, those who like to brag, those who are flashy and volunteer, and those who like to show off their intelligence to others are all villains." A gentleman knows what he knows, but he doesn't know what he doesn't know. This is wisdom and benevolence. "
Lutz stood still and said, "Remember, my disciple."
Among Confucius' disciples, Luz is the only one who is brave and resourceful. Lutz consciously protected the teacher from hearing those annoying voices.
One day, Confucius asked Luz, "Zhong You, what do you like best in your life?"
Lutz replied, "Disciples love to dance with swords."
Confucius said, "I don't ask you about your martial arts." I want to know what you like to learn with your original talent and then learn. "
Lutz bluntly said, "I don't know what's good about studying."
Confucius said, "Then I'll tell you. Without the advice of ministers, the monarch would not be wise. Without honest friends, a bachelor of arts can't hear harsh advice. A horse can't ride without a reins, and it's difficult to straighten the wood without a yardstick. With knowledge, everything can go smoothly. If people hate studying, they will be punished. So how can a gentleman not learn? "
Lutz thought for a moment and said, "The bamboo on Nanshan grows straight and doesn't need pruning. If bamboo is used as an arrow, the thick skin of rhinoceros (xρ) cattle can also penetrate. So, what's the use of learning? "
Confucius smiled and said slowly, "You are right. However, this Zhi Zhu arrow is equipped with an arrow feather and a sharp arrow key. Can't you use it to go deeper into the skin of rhinoceros? "
Lutz feels that the benefits are not shallow, and the benefits are not linear: gain benefits; Receive benefits. Thanks to the teacher's teaching.
Confucius' school is near his home-Quiry. Because of his erudition and kindness, young people from far and near came to his house for advice, most of whom were children of civilians.
Confucius said, "Those who know are not as good as those who love, and those who love are not as good as those who can get happiness from it."
Confucius asked students to enjoy learning, to review what they have learned, and to learn from the past. Confucius asked his students to study etiquette and music hard to prepare for future politics. He asked his disciples to get rid of the faults of guessing out of thin air, being absolutely sure, being opinionated and being obedient. We want them to be gentlemen who fear the destiny, the nobility and the words of saints. Let them correct their mistakes.
Maybe not many people know Xiang Tuo, and he doesn't seem to be a celebrity, but when it comes to his students, everyone knows that seven-year-old Xiang Tuo used to be Confucius' teacher, and Xiang Tuo's question stumped Confucius, but Confucius didn't.
A beautiful spring. Confucius took a car and led Ziyou, You Ran, Gong Xihua, Yan Hui and others to go out for an outing. I saw a group of children playing on the road. A closer look shows that the children are jumping on the road and having a good time. Only one child built a wall with tiles and bricks in the middle of the road. Confucius was surprised and got off the bus and asked, "Why are they jumping and jumping, and you are the only one sitting here quietly?"
The child who built the wall looked at Confucius' kind face and fluttering silver hair and said, "It's not good to jump."
"Why did you see it?"
"That kind of gameplay, if you accidentally hang up your clothes, your shoes are easy to be kicked, which inadvertently increases the burden on your parents and is unfilial; Besides, this will also lead to a quarrel between brothers because of a temporary negligence. Is it a good game? Since it is not a good game, what can I do? " After that, he lowered his head and piled up his wall.
Confucius thought, "What this son said is extraordinary! I'll try him again. " Then he asked, "Son, didn't you see the car coming?" Why not avoid it? "There is blame in the words.
"Hum, from ancient times to the present, I only heard that the car sees the wall and detours. How does the wall avoid the carriage? You are so old, why don't you even understand this truth? "
Confucius was going to leave, but when he heard this, he simply didn't leave. He wants to have a good talk with the children.
"Well, I'm still young, so what I heard from you means cunning: cunning and betrayal. So what? "
The child simply stopped building the city wall, rested his hands on his hips and proudly replied: "People can walk without their parents after three years of birth; Piglets can run around three months after birth, and fish can swim freely in rivers three days after birth. This is a natural truth. I just follow the natural development direction and say whatever I want. How can you call me cunning? "
Confucius looked back at several students with admiration in his eyes. Take a breath and ask, "Can you tell me your name and hometown address?"
Children are correspondingly more polite. "Dare not, old man, my name is Xiang, my name is Tu, I have no words, I am seven years old this year, and I have lived here ..."
"oh! Then I'd like to invite you to travel around the world. How about it? "
"I'm sorry I can't accompany you. "
"Why?"
"'Parents are there, not traveling far', and parents support them at home; I have brothers and should listen to their teachings; There is also a younger brother who is also educated and responsible for himself. What's more, there are many famous teachers around me, and I haven't finished learning what they teach. How can I travel far? Please forgive me, old man! "
The more I see such talents, the more I don't want to miss the opportunity to speak. Confucius had an idea.
"I have a pair of chess in my car. I'll bet you how about the next game? "
"No gambling, no gambling!" Xiang Tuo shook his head like a rattle. "Gambling has many disadvantages: if the emperor likes gambling, he will ignore state affairs and the country will decline. If the minister likes gambling, it will hinder the smooth flow of government orders, and the emperor will not hear the correct suggestions; Scholars like gambling, and the most important thing is to neglect their studies; Farmers like gambling and can only miss the farming season and lose all their property; If a slave likes gambling and delays his master's business, he will be punished. Therefore, I am not good at gambling, I will not gamble, and I don't want to gamble with you! "
Confucius explained at once, "I mean that you should join me to pacify the chaos in the world and shovel away the injustice in the world."
"The world should not be razed to the ground. Throughout the world, there are mountains, rivers and lakes; There are high officials and slaves ... if the mountain is leveled, where will the birds and animals live? Where do fish, turtles, shrimps and crabs live after filling the lake? If you remove the officials, you will lose your statutes and be in chaos; Slaves are liberated, how can those greedy princes and ministers live? From this point of view, if the world is leveled, sir, your kindness will not be implemented. "
"Since you are familiar with this world, I ask you: What kind of fire has no smoke? What kind of water has no fish? What kind of mountain has no stones? What kind of tree has no branches? What kind of person has no daughter-in-law? What kind of person has no husband? What kind of horse can't get off the pony? "
"Fireflies have no smoke. There are no fish in the water in the well. There is soil but no stone in the earthen mountain. The orange tree has no branches. Immortals don't marry. Fairy has no husband. Trojan horses can't have ponies. "
"What kind of person is a gentleman? What kind of person is a villain? What is deficiency? What do you mean more than enough? What kind of city has no market? Who has nothing to say? "
"Virtue and talent are the highest for the gentleman; Stupidity and ignorance are villains; In the cold winter, some people have insufficient food and clothing; In the harvest season, every family has more than enough; The imperial capital has no market; My neck bag is in name only. "
"Since you know astronomy and human relations, what is left? What is right? What is a watch? What is this? What is a father? What is a mother? What is Yin? What is Yang? Where does the wind come from? Where does the rain come from? Where does the cloud come from? Where did the fog come from? How many Wan Li are there between heaven and earth? "
"Following the principle of nature is the discipline of heaven and earth; Repeated alternation of yin and yang is the ethics of nature. Heaven is the father and the earth is the mother; The sun is yang and the moon is yin; East is left, west is right; Outside is outside, inside is inside; The wind rises from the trees and the rain falls from the sky; Clouds floated from the mountains and fog rose from the ground; Heaven and earth are thousands of miles apart. "
When Xiang Tuo was speechless, Confucius was very happy and was praising Xiang Tuo's talent:
"Sir, may I ask you some questions?"
"Excuse me, Sir, why can geese and ducks float? Why can geese cry loudly? Why are pines and cypresses evergreen in winter and summer? "
Confucius confidently replied: "geese and ducks can float because their feet are flat;" Goose can call high because its neck is long; The reason why pines and cypresses are evergreen in winter and summer is because of their solid heart. "
Xiang Tuo blinked and asked, "No! Fish and turtles can swim, but they don't have flat feet! Toad has a big voice and a short neck! Bamboo is also green in winter, but it is not strong! " Confucius shook his head and could not speak.
Xiang Tuo asked again, "How many stars are there in the sky?"
"Just now you asked about things on the ground, and now they are in heaven?"
"Well, then ask. How many houses are there on the ground? "
Confucius couldn't answer, so he changed his mind and said, "Now?"
"It doesn't matter. How many eyebrows do you have to ask what is in front of you? "
Confucius really couldn't answer, so he turned to his disciples and said, "The afterlife is great! I learned a lot today. Although Xiang Tuo is a child, he knows a lot! "
Confucius heard that Laozi (Li Er, also known as Lao Dan (dān), with high reputation, was a famous thinker at that time) was far more knowledgeable than himself. Although he was a teacher of more than three thousand people at this time, he decided to ask Lao Tzu for advice.
When I heard that Confucius was coming, I told my servant to clean the road, then got into the carriage and went to the suburbs to meet him personally. As soon as Confucius saw Laozi, he jumped out of the car and gave him a wild goose according to the etiquette at that time.
Laozi is much older than Confucius and has a lot of experience. Because of his position, he was exposed to more literary and historical classics than Confucius. Confucius was in his prime at that time. Although he has a lot of knowledge, he lags far behind Laozi. In terms of self-cultivation, although Confucius was warm and generous, he was also rude and unstable, far less broad-minded and far-sighted. Therefore, when Confucius meets Lao Zi, just like an active student meets a good teacher, there are always endless questions.
Confucius asked Lao Tzu about the deeds of the ancients. What did the sages say? Laozi said: "these people have rotted as long as bones, only the language is still there ... people should give up pride and greed: insatiable (including derogatory); Not satisfied. Desire, throw away everything that is not conducive to your moral cultivation. People should pursue noble sentiments! " Listening to the drizzle-like words, Confucius was often lost in thought. Confucius studied here for a long time. When he left, Lao Tzu told him earnestly: "I heard that rich people should give some money to send their friends, and people with morality and knowledge should say something nice to send their friends." I don't have money, I can't say that I have morality and knowledge, but I can still speak. Now I am qualified to send you a few words as a moral and learned person! Confucius quickly saluted and said, "Your words are more precious than any money! I'm willing to listen. "
Lao Tzu said, "Since you are willing to listen, I will say a few words. Moral and learned people should have certain status and treatment, but don't force them when they are born at the wrong time, or they will ask for trouble. I have heard the saying that' people who can do business don't put all their goods outside, and people with high moral cultivation are simple on the surface', which is the so-called poor man, who is determined to win! "
Confucius was deeply inspired by this. He patiently chewed this precious message, left Laozi with great gratitude and returned to his hometown. Confucius often praised Laozi like this: "I know birds can fly;" I also know that fish can swim; I know better that beasts can run, but what about dragons? Dragonfly in the sky, walking in the clouds, unpredictable, unable to see his whole picture. Lao Tzu is like an unfathomable dragon! "
Studying hard, asking for advice with an open mind and working hard all his life are the foundation of Confucius' profound knowledge and admiration for future generations.