CLASS REQUIREMENT 3

            What is a chun tzu? In our previous texts and discussions, we came to

understand that being a chun tzu is not by birth or inheritance but rather on the

development of one's self into a chun tzu. Everyone has the potential to be chUn tzu but

not everyone is capable of developing himself into the ideal chun tzu. Many have failed

to actualize being a fully noble man because they have failed to recognize what a chun

tzu is made of. We ave acknowledge that man has many potentialities but which o

these potentials should we seek to develop in order for us to be chun tzu? Here we ask,

what are the characteristics of a chun tzu that makes him noble? What really make a

chun tzu a chun tzu?

            The chun tzu's core characteristic lies in his Jen (human heartedness), and what

complements this is his Yi (righteousness), Li (propriety), and Chih(wisdom).

To help us understand this further, let us refer to Mencius teachings on

Confucian characteristics of a chun tzu, we will use Book of Mencius 6A:10 as a

reference.

Man have always wanted to commit themselves in doing what is right. It is from

shame and dislike that the righteousness(Yi) of man has sprung from. Other than Yi, he

wants other things in life. If a person could not have both, he has to choose one. A man

wants life and righteousness(Yi) at the same time. If confronted with a situation that will

make him choose, a chun tzu will choose righteousness.According to Mencius, a chun

tzu loves his life but he treasures his righteousness more. Therefore, if he loves Yi more

than life, he will not let his Yi be the price he need to pay for his love for life. He hates

death but he hates to lose his Yi more than death. Hence, if confronted by danger and

has to choose one, he rather chooses death than to sacrifice his Yi. He treasures his

righteousness so much that he won’t even think twice to choose righteousness in

exchange with life. Mencius said “It is not only the worthies alone who have this

moral sense. All men have it, but only the worthies have been able to preserve it.”

In stating this, we can understand that righteousness(Yi) is in everyone but only the

worthies or in this sense, the chun tzus are able to protect his righteousness from the

temptations in life and the dangers that comes with standing up for it. Righteousness is

one of the potentials man have, they just lose it by not developing it along the way.

            According to Mencius, a superior man, if offered a platter of rice and soup, even

in the face of death, he will not accept 0it if his self-respect is trampled upon. If it is not

offered to him in a proper way, he will not accept it. Therefore, learning Propriety(Li) is

important in knowing how to treat others with respect and reverence in various levels.

But if man is offered a bribe of 10,000in a rude manner, an inferior man will accept it

and forget propriety(li) and his righteousness(yi). Here, man is asked why does a man

agrees to accepts 10,000 in exchange with his righteousness and propriety? Does he

not know what is right from wrong? Here, Chih comes in place.

            Wisdom(Chih) is not just about knowing all sorts of knowledge. The man of

wisdom, for Confucius, is the man who cultivates humanity for the advancement of

humanity. For him, a wise man seeks knowledge for the enrichment of one’s self alone

but to extend to humanity what he has known. His search for wisdom is not to be known

by humanity but to know more about humanity[Analects 1:16]. Humanity is not just

about loving men but also knowing them[Analects 12:22]. Meaning, love for humanity

alone is not enough to be humane nor knowing humanity enough to be called a man of

humanity. Passion without knowing may cause blind obedience and knowing without

loving may make you the destruction of humanity. Not knowing but loving humanity and

knowing but not loving humanity may produce the same destruction for the human race.

Therefore, Chih is not just knowing but doing what you have learned. Putting in action

what has been learned is what Chih is all about.

            Righteousness without propriety and wisdom will produce a prejudiced man.

Propriety without righteousness and wisdom will create a blind obedient. And wisdom

without righteousness and propriety will create humanity’s greatest enemy who knows

the destruction of man. But, if the three is combined—Yi, Li, and Chih, it will produce

Jen (human-heartedness) which is what composes the Chun Tzu or the noble man.