The Conduct of the Scholar
AnonymousBashu Publishing House · ChinaNov 2020
Rating 4.0- Word count
- 1.3K words
- Chapters
- 6
Tags
Eastern Philosophy Ruler-Minister DialogueBook of RitesConduct RulesConfucian CharacterIdeal PersonalitySelf-CultivationWay of the GentlemanModel of VirtuePractical StatecraftPre-Qin ConfucianismSummary
The Ru Xing is the forty-first chapter of the Book of Rites. Through a dialogue between Confucius and Duke Ai of Lu, it describes from various angles what the conduct of a true Ru (Confucian scholar) is like.Editor's review
The Ru Xing is a short dialogue-form text in the Book of Rites that concentrates on delineating the Ru personality, transforming "Ru" from an identity label into a code of conduct to be put into practice. In answer to Duke Ai of Lu's questions, Confucius does not indulge in empty metaphysical speculation but unfolds his reply layer by layer from such angles as self-reliance, firmness, upholding righteousness, modesty and yielding, friendship, and whether to serve or withdraw. The language is plain and vigorous. This edition, prepared and published by Bashu Publishing House, makes it easy for readers to return to the classic text itself and appreciate the original pre-Qin Confucian answer to "how to be a Ru." Its value lies not in offering a systematic philosophy but in presenting the details of an ideal of personality: how a Ru holds fast in hardship, does not become licentious in wealth and honor, and is harmonious yet distinct in company. It is suitable as supplementary reading for selected readings from the Book of Rites, as an introduction to Confucianism, or for general courses on traditional culture, and is also suited to slow, careful reading in quiet moments as a way to reflect on one's own conduct.Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in pre-Qin Confucianism and the Book of Rites who wish to begin with the original text
- Students or teachers in general courses on traditional culture who need short, intensive reading material
- General readers concerned with the personality cultivation and behavioral ethics of the Ru
- Readers who enjoy dialogue-form classical texts and are willing to read slowly with annotations
Not a good fit for
- Readers expecting a systematic history of Confucian thought or the construction of a philosophical system
- Those who prefer long modern vernacular interpretations and do not wish to engage with the classical original
- Readers seeking specific practical techniques or success-oriented methods
Reading tips
- First read through the original once without rushing to consult annotations, to sense the tone of the dialogue and the overall structure.
- On the second reading, compare each paragraph with the annotations, mark the specific items of "the conduct of a Ru," and classify them.
- After reading, compare the behavioral norms in the text with your own daily circumstances and write three to five notes.
- It may be read alongside other chapters of the Book of Rites or related records of Confucius to avoid understanding it in isolation.
About the publisher
Bashu Publishing House China · Founded in 1983Bashu Publishing House is a publisher centered on collating and publishing classical Chinese cultural texts, with its main publishing areas covering classical literature, Eastern philosophy, ancient poetry, and educational classics. Its library currently holds 1,075 titles, including representative works such as Dream of the Red Chamber, the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering, Renjian Cihua, and Out to the Frontier, involving authors such as Cao Xueqin, Wang Xizhi, Wang Guowei, Wang Changling, Liu Xie, and Yan Yu. These reflect the publisher's focus on literary classics, poetry criticism, and philosophical readings. Its publishing character lies in working around ancient texts and canonical works, with attention to textual collation and presentation. Public information on its more detailed publishing background and series plans is limited; this introduction is based only on the library's book information.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 正文一
- 正文二
- 正文三
- 正文四
- 正文五
FAQ
Was the Ru Xing written by Confucius himself?
The Ru Xing comes from the Book of Rites and is traditionally recorded as a dialogue between Confucius and Duke Ai of Lu, but the Book of Rites took shape through long transmission and editing, so it cannot simply be regarded as written by Confucius himself. When reading, it is better to treat it as a representative pre-Qin Confucian text on the conduct of a Ru rather than as a strict verbatim record.Can someone without a foundation in classical Chinese read this book?
It is possible to try, but annotations are needed. It is advisable first to read a vernacular translation to grasp the general meaning, then return to the original and compare paragraph by paragraph. The dialogue form is fairly strong and the items are clear; as long as one patiently consults the annotations, even beginning readers can grasp its main content.What is the relationship between the Ru Xing and the Analects?
Both concern the personality and conduct of the Ru, but the Analects is a collection of sayings with broad coverage, whereas the Ru Xing concentrates on listing the behavioral characteristics a Ru should have, in the manner of itemized statements. The Ru Xing may be seen as a topical summary of the image of the Ru; reading it alongside the Analects allows the two to corroborate each other.Related on WeRead
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About the author
Anonymous AuthorAnonymous is not a real personal name but a general Chinese designation for authors whose names are unknown, lost, or unsigned. Neither nationality nor dates of birth and death can be verified, and available public information is limited, so the works attributed to this name are the only basis for description. The collection holds 2,078 works under Anonymous, spanning medicine, classics, historical readings, ancient poetry, classical literature, and philosophy. Representative works include The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon: Lingshu, Mencius, The Book of Documents, Nineteen Old Poems, Complete Song Ci, and The Peacock Flies Southeast. Most of these works took shape through long transmission and editing, emerging either from collective folk creation or from authors whose names were lost over time. In ancient China, the Book of Songs, the Great Learning, and many popular storybooks and plays were signed Anonymous because their authors could not be traced. Anonymous works cross the classics, histories, philosophical writings, medical texts, and poetry; their subjects are broad, and their styles vary from archaic simplicity to clear naturalness, making them important and influential sources for understanding ancient Chinese thought, medicine, and literature.