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A Year with Confucius

Theme: temperament

2 reflections tagged with "temperament"

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Day 28
charactertemperamentquiet-strength

Quiet Strength Near Humaneness

Confucius lists traits not identical with ren but close to it: inner strength (剛), determination (毅), unadorned simplicity (木), and cautious speech (訥). These counteract tendencies toward flattery, fickleness, and superficial display.

Day 73
inclusiontemperamentquiet-strength

Including the Quiet Ones

This playful remark reveals Confucius' appreciation for productive challenge. Yan Hui, his most devoted disciple, agreed with everything—which, while a sign of deep respect, meant Confucius was not pushed to refine his ideas. The irony is gentle: Confucius loves Yan Hui precisely because of his quiet absorption, even while wishing for more friction. He values different temperaments.