7.4 There are teachers everywhere

子曰、三人行、必有我師焉、擇其善者而從之、其不善者而改之。

The Master said, ‘When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them.’

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Discussion:

Last week there was a question about where or whom to learn from.  Confucius said, look around, whenever there are three or more people, there is a teacher and we can learn.  How?  If we observe good in people, we learn to be it.  If we observe bad in people, we help to correct it.  As no one is the same, there is always something to learn!   This is line with the prior teaching on the Superior Man, where one seeks to bring the good out of people, and dissolve the bad.  This is beneficial to both the individual, and the collective, i.e. a win-win situation.

Of course, this is speaking from the dualistic and separated paradigm.   From a nondualistic and united paradigm, the world is observe as a manifestation of one’s perception, i.e. from one’s own self.  In such state, this teaching stills applied:  All can be seen as teachers, and that one can manifest the good and dissolve the negative of all.  This requires wisdom to see, compassion to embrace, and devotion to carry out.

1.6 Characteristics of man who love learning

子曰、君子食無求飽、居無求安、敏於事、而慎於言、就有道、而正焉、可謂好學也已。

The Master said, ‘He who aims to be a man of complete virtue in his food does not seek to gratify his appetite, nor in his dwelling place does he seek the appliances of ease; he is earnest in what he is doing, and careful in his speech; he frequents the company of men of principle that he may be rectified:– such a person may be said indeed to love to learn.’

-> Confucius does not advocate for poverty, just for non-attachment to sensual and emotional comfort or stability.   Do your work diligently, speak carefully,  and refine yourself from virtuous persons.

2.7 Act before speak

子貢問君子、子曰、先行其言、而後從之。

Zigong asked what constituted the superior man. The Master said, ‘He acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.’

->  Why?  To build up one’s credibility.  When we accomplish what we say or promise, we build trust so others can rely on us.  If we promise too much but later cannot deliver, it hurts our confidence, and credibility.

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Discussion:

Eat, but do not indulge in taste;  Live, but do not endulge in stability.  What else do we seek?  Aren’t we here to seek comfort, stability, and enjoyment?  To Confucius, there are many things that are of more importance, which are knowledge, learning, benevolence and harmony.  What is important to you?

When speaking of our plan, how often can we deliver them as said?  How often did we speak of something that we fail to deliver?  It takes time to build up one’s credibility, but it takes only a few incidence to destroy it.  Therefore, Confucius suggested earnest in doing, and careful in speaking.  This is in line with the Buddhist teachings of mindfulness in action, speech, and intention.