The world's religions : a popular account of religions ancient and modern, including those of uncivilised races, Chaldaeans, Greeks, Egyptions, Romans; Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Mohammedanism, and a sketch of the history of Judaism and Christianity / by G.T. Bettany.

  • Bettany, G. T. (George Thomas), 1850-1891.
Date:
1890
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The world's religions : a popular account of religions ancient and modern, including those of uncivilised races, Chaldaeans, Greeks, Egyptions, Romans; Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Mohammedanism, and a sketch of the history of Judaism and Christianity / by G.T. Bettany. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Confucius replied, “ The superior man may indeed have to endure want; but the mean man, when he is in want, gives way to unbridled licence.” Thus showing that the distinction between the two was adequately marked by the way in which such calamities were borne. During this distress the sage maintained his composure, and was even able to sing and plaj^ upon the lute. In 488, Confucius was in She, where a district chief had assumed the title of duke. The latter did not know what to think of such a visitor, and Confucius of inquiries, Confucius described himself as “ a man describes who in his eager pursuit of knowledge forgets his food, who in bimseif. attainment forgets his sorrows, and who does not perceive that old age is coming on.” Surely this is a noble description of a lofty - minded man, eager for truth, satisfied and happy in its attainment. But he could not win the opportunity to put his views into practice: again and again he was foiled by the jealous}'- of prime ministers or courtiers, the indolence of rul- ers, or their dis- inclination to change their sordid courses. Finally he re- turned to Wei, where at first he was asked to undertake the government for a young ruler, the grandson of his old patron, who was reigning in opposition to his own father. Con- fucius again showed strength of principle in refusing to aid a ruler whose title was founded on unfilial rebellion; and he remained several years em- Death of ployed Only in his literary compositions and in teaching. During YenHwuy. period his favourite pupil. Yen Hwuy, died, occasioning poignant grief to the master, who exclaimed, “ Heaven is destroying me ! ” It is said that his wife died in b.c. 484. At last he was recalled to Lu in 483 by the powerful Ke Kiang, who had heard anew the praises of Con- fucius from his pupil Yen Yew. The latter was judicious enough to warn the ruler not to allow mean men to come between him and the philosopher. His return, however, did not lead to any very striking improvement m