1. Journal Topic
What are some areas of personal improvement people tend to focus on?
Which area do you think is most important? Why?

2. Essential Question:
What themes, motifs, and values are expressed in the literature of China?

3. Confucianism “The Way of Goodness”
“Never do to others what you would not like them to do to you.”

4. At Your Desks… Read about Confucius (p. 407)
In your notes write down the highlights of his life that you learn from the reading

5. Confucianism (pp.407-408) Confucius: K’ung Fu-tzu – Master K’ung
Self-educated man, had deep love of learning
Believer in education for all
Stressed importance of moral teaching (character training)
“Way of Goodness” – traditional code of personal ethics

6. Confucianism Some famous sayings of Confucius:
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Study the past if you would define the future.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.
To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.

7. “The Golden Mean“
An ideal of universal moral and social harmony* that each person should strive for through:
moral education
building of harmony in family life
development of personal virtues:
(loyalty, obedience, justice)
(*What other Chinese idea is suggested here?)

8. Vocabulary Homage Perplexity Docile Dictate (noun)
respect or reverence paid or rendered
Perplexity
confusion; uncertainty.
Docile
easily managed or handled
Dictate (noun)
an authoritative order or command

9. Vocabulary (cont.) Filial Coarse Enlightening
noting or having the relation of a child to a parent
Coarse
lacking delicacy, taste, or refinement; unpolished
Enlightening
tending to increase knowledge

10. “The Analects” (p. 409)
The Analects or “selected sayings” are the teachings of Confucius
Focused on:
Development of inner character
Unselfishness
courage
honor

11. “The Analects” (cont.)
Maxim – a concise and direct statement of a rule of conduct or proper behavior
Ex. Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get
Try to write your own Maxim.

12. At Your Desks (pp. 409) Read each brief “Analect” carefully then:
Come up with a good title for it
Try to identify the area of personal improvement Confucius is addressing
What is his main point in the saying

13. The Analects (pp. 409) A wise ruler is respected and honored
The most important thing is how one thinks
Wisdom grows with age
Respect for one’s elders involves more than doing what is expected
Knowledge of one’s limitations is vital

14. Journal Topic
Gifts I have received

15. (write about 1, the other, or both)
Journal Topic
Good times, bad times…
(write about 1, the other, or both)

16. Taoism “The Way”

17. Taoism
Founder – Laotzu (man or Myth – reputed to have Lived 160 years) The joyful acceptance of life and a willingness to yield to the natural world, becoming one with it “He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know.”

18. Taoist Practices
Purity – avoidance of certain foods, alcohol, certain attitudes (greed, lust, etc.)
Meditation- practice of creating mental stillness and enhance mindfulness
Breathing – practice of breathing exercises to develop control over body
Energy Flow – effort to gain control over body’s energy
Tai Chi – “martial arts” exercises

19. Tao Te Ching Tao Te Ching means Classic of the Way of Power
Designed to provide guidance to rulers who wished to govern wisely
Reveals the balance found in nature

20. Tao Te Ching (cont.)
Central figure (the Master) has achieved absolute harmony with the way things are and has become one with “the Tao, the Truth, the Life”
Water is the key symbol for expressing the true nature of Tao (fluidity, evenness)
Balance is revealed in paradoxes (yin-yang)

21. Consider as You Read
What are some examples of paradox found in the Tao Te Ching?
How is balance and harmony revealed?
Why might the Tao Te Ching be helpful to a would-be ruler?

22. Literary Terms to Know
Anecdote – a brief story used to illustrate a writer’s point
Paradox – an apparent contradiction that expresses an actual truth
Ex. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

23. Taoist Anecdotes (p414) What teaching is being presented?
“Wagging My Tail in the Mud”?
It’s better to be free to enjoy happiness than to be admired and honored at the bidding of another
“The Butterfly”?
Aside from form, we are one with the butterfly
“The Missing Axe”?
Suspicion colors our perception
“The Lost Horse”?
Blessings and cursings are not always as they seem
(also – change is the only constant in life)

24. T’ang Poets: Li Po
Read the background about Li Po (p. 420) and T’ang poetry (p. 422)
Then read 2 poems of Li Po’s on p. 423
What nature imagery is used?
What mood is created by the use of this imagery?

25. Knowledge Asked Yellow Emperor
Knowledge asked the Yellow Emperor and said: "I would like to put some questions to you. By what thinking, by what reflection can I know the Tao? By what setting, by what activities can I be at peace with the Tao? By what procedures, by what way can I attain the Tao?"

26. Knowledge Asked Yellow Emperor
"Only with no thinking nor reflection," said the Yellow Emperor, "can you begin to know the Tao. Only with no setting nor activities can you begin to be at peace with the Tao. Only with no procedures nor way can you begin to attain the Tao.“