Confucianism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

by Daniel K. Gardner

It remains for us—as it did for his followers—to tease out of the Analects a deeper appreciation of this essential moral quality. A few passages in the text are especially revealing: “Zigong asked, ‘Is there one word that can be practiced for the whole of one’s life?’ The Master said, ‘That would be ‘empathy’ perhaps: what you do not wish yourself do not do unto others’” (15.24). True goodness lies in the direction of empathetic behavior. In dealing with others, we are obliged to treat them as we ourselves would wish to be treated. We need to put ourselves in their place, to plumb our own feelings, in order to judge the feelings of others; this is Confucian empathy. True goodness is realized when these feelings of empathy are successfully extended to others, when they are actualized in our relations with others: “The Way of our Master is being true to oneself and empathetic toward others, nothing more” (4.15).