Confucius Analects – Avoid strange teachings – 孔子论语 – 拒绝异端

2.10 Strange doctrines

子曰、攻乎異端、斯害也己。

The Master said, ‘The study of strange doctrines is injurious indeed!

-> e.g. spiritual cults, end of world prophecies, moralistic relativism, skepticism, conspiracy theories, esoteric teachings, etc.

7.3 Irrelevance: Those confucius don’t speak of

子不語、怪、力、亂、神。

The subjects on which the Master did not talk, were– extraordinary things, superhuman power, chaos/disorder, and metaphysics.

-> Confucius did not talk about gods, angels, ghosts, paranormal abilities, metaphysics.

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Discussion:

Confucius did not teach or speak of topics outside the human sphere.  He recommended holding a respectful attitude towards the unknown, and focusing on perfecting the human path.  This is a saying: “未知生,焉知死” (When we are not sure of the human life, how can be we be sure of what beyond human life?)

People like to talk about metaphysics, mysteries, secrets, pseudo-spiritual, astrals, specials, and are often sucked into mass speculations due to various forms of desire (for gain) or fear (for loss).  However, highest truth, as explained across the world’s major religions, are all simple, and focus on the human life, such as doing good and declining bad. Say no to strange teachings and prophecies, and focus on cultivating your person and your life based on the classic teachings of any authentic religion.

2.10 異端

子曰、攻乎異端、斯害也己。

-> 例如：邪教, 末日预言，道德相对主义，怀疑主义, 阴谋论，神秘主义等。

7.3 怪、力、亂、神

子不語、怪、力、亂、神。

-> 孔子不谈论神，天使，鬼魂，超自然力量，形而上学等。

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讨论:

孔子不谈超出了人类正常领域的题目。他建议用敬而远之的态度来面对未知，而着重于人和社会的发展和完善。古语有云：“未知生，焉知死”。当我们还不知道的人的生命时，又怎可能认知超出人类范畴的东西呢？

人们喜欢谈论形而上学，神秘的，秘密的，精神的，特别的，并常常由于形形式式的欲望（得）或恐惧（失）而被卷入个人或者是集体的想像和猜测。 然而，最高的真理，根据世界主要的宗教，都是简单的，教人面对人类的生活，如发展好的，拒绝坏的。向奇怪的教导和预言说不，并专注于个人的培养和发展，这是任何正统的宗教都提倡的。