Confucius on filial piety

Confucius said, "My father is here, so I will watch his ambition.": Father didn't, observe his actions; It is filial piety not to change the way of the father for three years. " -The Analects of Confucius

Confucius said; "When his father was alive, (because he had no right to act independently), we should observe his ambition; After his father's death, we should examine his behavior; If he does not change the reasonable part of his father for a long time, such a person can be said to have done his duty. "

I think we can be filial when our parents are alive, and we can be filial when our parents are dead. In the place where our parents lived before they died, we can continue to live in memory of them. The furniture that parents like can continue to be used. Relatives and friends who were supported by their parents before their death can continue to support them. When my parents' friends come home, they will treat them as if their parents were alive. Anything related to my parents, I must have the same feelings for him, her and it. When parents are alive, we can be filial. Isn't it the same when we leave? In fact, there is no difference.

Confucius said, "When the father is here, watch his (1) ambition;" Father didn't, observe his behavior; Three years (3) without changing the way of the father (4) can be described as filial piety. "

To annotate ...

(1) Qi: He refers to his son, not his father.

(2) Line: sound xìng, indicating behavior, etc.

(3) Three years: There is no need to understand the figures mentioned by the ancients too mechanically, just saying that it will take a long time, not necessarily just three years.

(4) Tao: sometimes it is a noun in the general sense. No matter good or evil, it can be called Tao. But more often, it is a masculine noun, which means good and beautiful things. This means "reasonable content".

Comment and analysis

This chapter still focuses on "filial piety" and concretizes the word "filial piety". Mr. Lu Xun once said: "As long as the mind is not blocked, everyone likes their children to be stronger, healthier, smarter, nobler and happier than themselves; Is to surpass yourself and surpass the past. If we surpass it, we must change, so our descendants should change the things of their ancestors. It is filial piety not to change one's father's ways for three years', of course, as the song says, which is the fundamental reason for withdrawing a baby. "