Confucius’ exposition on filial devotion

       孔子在《论语》中论及“仁”“知”“礼”“义”“孝”等主题，其中在中国世俗生活中影响最为深远的莫过其孝道观：在孔子看来，“孝”不能只停留在物质的奉养上，还包括感情上对父母表示真诚的尊敬和爱戴，而孝悌的践行更是关乎国家社稷的兴衰，即“其为人也孝弟，而好犯上者，鲜矣；不好犯上，而好作乱者，未之有也。君子务本，本立而道生。孝弟也者，其为仁之本与！”。尽管不同的时代诉求，促使我们以不同的眼光来看待孔子的孝道观，但它已然成为中华民族重要的文化底色。

  In The Analects of Confucius, "humaneness", "wisdom", "rituals", "righteousness" and "filial devotion" are recurrent topics, of which the concept of filial devotion has had the most far-reaching influence in Chinese secular life. According to Confucius, filial conduct should not be limited to only looking after one’s parents in the material sense, but also include sincere respect and love for them. And the fulfilling of filial devotion and brotherly love concerns the rise and fall of the country. In his opinion,

  A man filial to his parents or a good brother, yet apt to go against his superiors—few are like that! The man who doesn’t like to go against his superiors but likes to plot rebellion—no such kind exists! The gentleman operates at the root. When the root is firm, then the Way may proceed. Filial and brotherly conduct—these are the root of humaneness, are they not?

  Although Confucius’ concept of filial devotion need be reinterpreted to fit the changed circumstances of different ages, clearly it has become a foundation stone of Chinese culture.

“文化互译，沟通世界”