Confucius Didn't Say That! : Two for the Road

Time flies. It's been almost two years since I wrote a "Confucius Didn't Say That!" blog post. To be honest, people searching for Confucius quotes and/or their veracity amounts to basically 90% of the traffic on my little home on the internet. So, if that describes you, welcome!   

It's time once again to take another trek into the wacky and weird world of fake Confucius quotes. Today, we will be digging into two fake Confucius quotes that focus on roads or journeys.  

Quote # 1 - "Roads were made for journeys, not destinations"   - Confucius 

This fake quote comes courtesy all over the internet but I noticed it on Parade's "101 of the Best Confucius Quotes and Sayings to Motivate and Inspire You". 

Variations on this quote are borderline cliché to most Americans. I thought this quote was more or less a folk proverb but I was surprised to learn there is an actual quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. It's phrased a little differently than the fake quote, Emerson wrote, "Life is a journey, not a destination". 

So, it appears this fake Confucius quote is likely just a variation and misappropriation of Emerson's quote. Of all the fake Confucius quotes, this might be the least mysterious of them all.  That said, we still need to dig a little deeper and see if there is anything Confucian about the quote. Could there be a similar quote or idea in the Analects? As we have seen in the past, some fake Confucius quotes can express similar concepts and ideas as Confucian philosophy (even if by accident). 

Interestingly, in 4:19 of the Analects, Confucius states almost the exact opposite idea of the Emersonian fake quote: 

The Master said: “While your parents are alive, it is better not to travel far away. If you do travel, you should have a precise destination.”

As always, I use quotes from AC Muller's excellent (and online) translation. 

This implies the destination is actually more important than the journey. That is, don't stray too far from home, dilly-dallying, because your most important obligations are back home. Travel should serve a purpose (the destination) not an end to itself.  

This makes much more sense coming from someone that lived in ancient China, travel wasn't seen as a tool to learn more about oneself and in relation to others. The fake quote "reads" as more of a privileged, modern perspective. From a Confucian perspective, life wasn't about finding yourself or forging your own path to success or self-realization. Life was best understood as the striving to live an ethical life within a framework of clear relationships.  

If you're looking for a Confucian spin on the idea of living one's purpose, maybe a selection from 7:34 might fit the bill:  

"The Master said: “I dare not claim to be a sage or a ren (humane) man. But I strive for these without being disappointed, and I teach without becoming weary. This is what can be said of me...."

Usually at this point in my discussion of the fake quote, I end up trashing it, making fun of it, etc...but I actually like this quote. It resonates well with my 21st-century American soul. It's a good reminder to stop and appreciate the ups, downs, and the adventure that is life. The meaning in our lives comes not from the accomplishments, status or achievements, but in how we live between the "destinations". 

Quote # 2 - "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" - Confucius 

As a part-time Confucian blogger (never thought you'd see that in writing, huh?), I was perusing the web for fake Confucius quotes. I saw this one and clicked the link, only to receive four pop-up ads telling me my laptop was compromised and had a virus. It felt a bit ominous, but it felt like a sign I should investigate this fake quote further.

Upon another quick search, I found out this is an actual ancient Chinese quote but of course, it's NOT from Confucius. It's actually from the Dao De Jing. 

If I was a better blogger, I would give you a little background on Daoism and compare and contrast its philosophy in regards to its rivalry with Confucianism, etc., etc. but I'm not going to do that, too much to do, too little time.  

The quote comes from the 64th poem from the Dao De Jing, again from AC Muller, here is the section with the surrounding context:

A thick tree grows from a tiny seed.

A tall building arises from a mound of earth.

A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.

Contriving, you are defeated;

Grasping, you lose.

 

The sage doesn't contrive, so she isn't beaten.

Not grasping, she doesn't lose.

When people are carrying out their projects

They usually blow it at the end.

Basically, the quote and context speak for itself, this isn't rocket science. The quote reminds us to be patient and recognize that even big projects and goals begin with very small beginnings.  I couldn't find an exact match for this idea but I did find this Confucius quote about the importance of patience:  

[15:27] The Master said: “Clever words disrupt virtue. Lack of patience in small matters leads to the disruption of great plans.”

Again, it feels weird to say it but I like this quote too. Of course, it's on the nose but it's not a bad cliché to keep in mind while working on something that seems insurmountable.

Well, folks, that's two more fake Confucius posts down, a thousand more to go. But remember dear readers, this blog isn't about destinations but the journey, and every blog of a thousand posts begins with single post. 

The Ineffability of Life

It's an experience we've all had. A feeling or thought comes over you but can't find the words that would "do it justice". It might be a spiritual experience or a moment with your lover or child.  This feeling might come when you find yourself in nature, experiencing something of great beauty alone. Or maybe it's even simpler- you find yourself unable to explain why you love a certain song or film or even food. Suddenly, language can seem ill-suited to communicate exactly how you feel. In fact, the act of communication seems to rob the experience of its beauty and pulls you further away from understanding. 

Here's a Daoist take on this ineffable feeling from Zhuangzi:

Duke Huan was reading a book in the hall. Wheelwright Pian, who had been chiseling a wheel in the courtyard below, set down his tools and climbed the stairs to ask Duke Huan, "May I ask what words are in the book Your Grace is reading?"  "The words of sages." the Duke responded.  "Are these sages alive?"  "They are already dead."
 
“That means you are reading the dregs of long gone men, doesn't it?"
 
Duke Huan said, “How does a wheelwright get to have opinions on the books I read? If you can explain yourself, I’ll let it pass otherwise, its death."  Wheelwright Pian said, ‘‘In my case I see things in terms of my own work. When I chisel at a wheel, if I go slow the chisel slides and does not stay put; if I hurry, it jams and doesn't move properly When it is neither too slow nor too fast I can feel it in my hand and respond to it from my heart. My mouth cannot describe it in words but there is something there 1 cannot teach it to my son and my son cannot learn it from me So I have gone on for seventy years, growing old chiseling wheels The men of old died in possession of what could not transmit. So it follows that what you are reading is their dregs."

Here he is, Zhuangzi himself (or at least that's what Google told me). Of course no one really knows what he looked like but this guy looks "with it" enough for me.

It's a wonderful little story (well, besides the fact Pian was threatened with his life for only a passing comment).  I think the metaphor the Wheelwright makes is apt - we often have a hard time teaching someone to do something that is easy for us to do physically.  Without looking at your keyboard, try imagining telling someone who has never typed, which fingers to use to type out a specific sentence. Or try to imagine explaining to a non-bipedal alien how you walk,chew gum and talk all at the same time. You know, you just do it. The larger point is that the written word and the spoken word are more like shadows than we perceive them to be. 

The Dao De Jing teaches that "the way" of the universe itself is ineffable,  as the first chapter states, "The way that can be spoken of  -  Is not the constant way; The name that can be named." To think you know how to define the way means you're already wrong. Daoists are content with this mystery and  like other Eastern philosophies, Daoism stresses contentment over striving. Peacefulness over activity.  There are limits to human knowledge and intuition so we should individually be satisfied with the little that we do have. The desire for more, whether it be for knowledge or wealth leads to destruction.


This feeling of ineffability is (in part) behind why artists create art. Because "I love you" or "That's really pretty" can't cut it; so we create and attempt to transcend normal reality.  We strive for describing this truth and yet, there is a kind of beauty in this paradox. We are trapped inside our brains with no way to directly share our experiences (yet).  No one can fully understand you (if even you can understand yourself). However, these private, indescribable moments can stay with us forever, to be treasured  in our solitude.

Just Being

A few weeks ago when the rest of my family was out of town on a Sunday, I went for a walk instead of church.

This made me happy because nature makes me feel more spiritual than going to church.

I can't exactly place my finger on why walking outdoors feels more comfortable or "spiritual" than going to church. It might be because I'm really a introvert who forced myself to be an extrovert. Maybe it's because when I'm walking I'm more interested in just being and experiencing rather than trying to rebut the sermon I'm listening to.

Life seems to make more sense outdoors. In the world I'm surrounded by doubt, drama at work, disappointment, and always searching for answers. Most of the time all my thinking just leads to more questions or unsatisfying answers. I don't mean to say my life is horrible - it's just that life out in the world often amounts to unsatisfying conclusions.

When I am in nature - it - no, I am different.


I'm more at peace with life, I'm more calm and relaxed. Even walking towards no destination I seem more purposeful.

Anyway, back to the walk I was talking about....after walking for about thirty minutes I sat down to pray and attempt to meditate. I was reminded by the wisdom of Daoism which sees nature not for what can be done with it, but seeks to emulate it in its very being. Nature doesn't seek answers. It doesn't worry or have any drama. It just is.

"Nature is not kind - It treats all impartially" - Dao De Jing

Sitting there I realized that everything of the world; the rat race, my doubts about God and myself seem so absurd and petty. Our answers are all right here in front of us. When I pray outside I feel closer to creation and my creator. I feel assurance - that there is a purpose for it all. Being busy and constantly doing things creates separation from the natural world or natural way of living.

As I sat down I first watched as a light wind came upon the trees around me like waves in the ocean. It was so quiet, I only heard the leaves rustling above and around me. No planes were overhead and the wind masked the far off highway as well. This solitary moment felt right. I meditated for a short while (honest disclosure: when I meditate, its only for a few seconds at a time). I then prayed for a long time for the first time in a long while.

I continued walking, moving wherever it struck my fancy. I prayed three separate times on that walk. Each prayer was for a long period of time followed by just walking and very little thinking. I wasn't so much asking for things in these prayers as I was just talking and expressing my hopes, concerns and dreams. Some might say I was talking to myself, and maybe that's what part of prayer is. The point is this experience away from church put me in tune with the divine more than church ever does. It was the salve for a tired-churched out guy.

Wu Wei: The Art of Doing Nothing or How to Change the World Without Really Trying

Some people might call me lazy.

I often go with the flow or wait for things to happen. If I have a big problem or project I like to let ideas drift back to my mind for awhile before I make a decision (I call this "marinating"). This is often a trait that is unappreciated.

It turns out I was practicing "Wu Wei" my whole, lazy life.

Wu Wei is one of the central tenets of Daoism. Daoism is the ancient traditional philosophy/religion/wisdom from China that places emphasis on non-action rather than action - on our ability not to force something but to act "within opportunity". Wu Wei is literally translated as "non-action" or "without action".

The concept asks us to stop trying so hard and to be patient. We can't fight fire with fire, so stop trying already! In class I often use the example of "fighting" a cork to stay under water. Of course, when I first had the idea to actually demonstrate this in class, I didn't have a cork, only a rubber toy (and since that's going with the flow, that's how I roll).

Here I must quote from the classic, "The Tao of Pooh" to illustrate the point;

"The harder you hit (the cork) the more it yields; the more it yields, the harder it bounces back. Without expending energy, the cork can easily wear you out. So, Wu Wei overcomes force by neutralizing its power, rather than by adding to the conflict. With other approaches, you may fight fire with fire, but with Wu Wei , you fight fire with water".

There is a reason it's a classic. So, do yourself a favor and go read it.

My other favorite example of Wu Wei is Tim Duncan.

 Spent four mintues looking for a Wu Wei Tim photo and figured that was not "going with the flow"

 so I just gave up and clicked on a random one.

I've never seen a more patient or possibly unselfish player. The guy never cared about stats (at least his game never showed the usual flashes of selfishness displayed by many of the great ones). If Timmy was posting on the block he would wait to see what the defense would give him before taking action. If he had a weak player defending him, he would bully in. Stronger or athletic defender he might take a jump shot or try to draw a foul. If he had a double (or in his peak a quick triple) team, he would pass out and trust his teammates to knock down the open shot. Just recently Tim had an opportunity to complete a triple-double, as he was one assist short when he re-entered the game.  His quote after the game reveals a true wu wei attitude;   “I wasn’t trying to get it, it was just the flow of the game and the plays being called.”


It shouldn't have been a surprise that Tim and the Spurs have been called boring because they didn't force their offense or defense. They didn't overpower or overwhelm, they just reacted accordingly to their opponent's strategy and/or players.

Wu Wei is hard for many Americans to "get". We are taught to be "go-getters" and to "make a name for ourselves". We are told to create are our opportunities. Our dreams lay just beyond our reach, only waiting for us to get to work achieving them.

These myths often work against our very self-interest that they seem to be promoting. We take a career path or the first job offered because it's a good salary and we're trying to make something happen. Later, we find ourselves miserable because the career or job isn't a good fit for our personality. We force ourselves into relationships because it's what we're "supposed to do" and later find out we're highly incompatible with our mate.

One of my favorite quotes from the Dao De Jing shows that working for ourselves just leads to ruin:

"There is no greater mistake than following desire; There is no greater disaster than forgetting contentment; There is no greater sickness than seeking attainment; But one who is content to satisfy his needs, Finds that contentment endures."

So, if we can't trust ourselves to find happiness - who or what do we trust in to find happiness, purpose and meaning into our lives?

That will all be explained in part two.....if I feel like it.