What is virtue, but that which springs forth from one’s eternal chi or soul? How do we capture and take hold of compassion and the empathy needed for the long run.
What is it about the love of art, music and nature that serves to bring about our highest attributes? Seeming to bring out the best of us and others… taking us to places we might otherwise never go or experience. Within our hearts how do compassion and virtue express who we are meant to become and who we have always been? As we are here to cast aside those things within ourselves not in keeping with the road we have yet to travel.
Throughout history and in our current times, mentors and teachers have always played a vital role in reminding us of our purpose and role. It’s as if we are meant to listen and learn with our hearts, embracing the love for the nature we were born with, and dedicating ourselves to growing, learning from, and caring for it. Confucius, like many others, served to remind us of who we have been, who we are, and who we are meant to become.
There will always be those who prioritize self-aggrandizement and personal gain over the needs of others for their own purposes. History from ancient China shows us that some would exploit his teachings for personal gain. However, the merging of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism highlighted the right ways to govern and live. Confucius consistently emphasized the importance of family and that governments should work for the benefit of all in society. Benevolence and virtue should always guide our thoughts and actions.
He also highlighted what later became known as Taoism, emphasizing that human nature should reflect our love for the environment and the natural world we inhabit. Buddhism, on the other hand, taught that there is an intrinsic voice or value that defines the essence of nature, with the human voice being just one of many vibrations composing the universe’s symphony. Together, these ideas merged into what could be described as a harmonious, almost symphonic melody, where the future could evolve into a lasting presence.
The teachings of Confucius have always provided guidance on how to navigate daily life with benevolence and virtue as our compass. This is why The Book of Lieh Tzu, along with my own work, “My Travels with Lieh Tzu”, includes an entire chapter dedicated solely to Confucius. His sayings always attributed his him are meant only to serve as reminders of what we have always known and perhaps only have forgotten.
My travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
Chapter Four – Confucius
55. Defining virtue
What sort of man follows Confucius? Four men who served him are looked upon as examples. The first, superior in kindness, the next better in eloquence, the third 
stronger in courage, and the fourth exceeding in dignity. All a cut above Confucius in their endeavors. Yet they chose to serve him, why is this so?
What is virtue, but that which springs forth from one’s eternal chi or soul?
How can one man judge another when he has his own journey he must follow, his own destiny to find? What is there to come to understand and know except the inner workings of ourselves and the loving kindness that subsequently follows?
Confucius explains:
“The first is kind but cannot check the impulse to act when it will do no good. The next is eloquent but knows not when to speak. The third is brave but is impulsive and knows not when to be cautious, and the fourth is dignified, but cannot accept others’ opinions when it is their turn to speak.
Even if I could exchange the virtue of these four, why would I, when they are less than my own? This is why they have chosen to serve me without question? Each person must learn their own way in the world. Can mine possibly be better than the path another has chosen to follow”? 
Entrance to Nishon Hill, the birthplace of Confucius, south of Qufu. I have been here many times. My family and I visited here in October 1999 on our first visit to Qufu.
Have not those who have decided to follow the ways of Confucius done so without questioning right and wrong, benefit and harm? Letting everything play out to its rightful end to discover their own true destiny.
Since the establishment of government destroys the path for all but the true sage, is it not best to find the way to govern properly for the benefit of all. Looking you cannot find it, listening you cannot hear it. In the end, there is nothing to be found again and again. 3/14/95
Number fifty-five of one hundred fifty-eight entries.
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