Confucius Terminology

Analects

The collected saying of Confucius, one of the four books Confuncianism

Book of Mencius

The collected teachings of Mencius one of the Four Books of Confuncianism

Chun-Tzu

The Mature person, an ideal human being with perfect moral character

Five Constant Relationships

A doctrine summarizing the proper ethical principle for each basic human relationship, such as duty between ruler and subject

Jen

“Goodness” or “love”. The supreme human virtue doing one’s best to treat others how they want to be treated.

il

Proper behavior in any given circumstance as if performing a proper ritual

Neo-Confuncium

A major philosophical and religious tradition developed AD 1000 as response to challenges facing Confucianism from Taoism and Buddhism

Neo-Confuncium most important figure

Chu-Hsi

Shu

A basic principle of Confucius ethics that says not to do to others what you would not want them to do to you

Tao

A philosophical system emphasizing living in harmony with the Tao, or the natural order.

Te

Virtue as shown through the power of example, an attribute of a mature person

Wen

The cultural arts, skills of behavior valued by Confucius