The Advantage of Treating Others Wisely - Essay Example

Confucius a. What is the advantage in treating others as you wish they would treat you? The advantage in treating others as one wish they would be treated is that one earns respect from the others. This is because, once a person leads by virtue, he will remain like a polestar, around which the other stars will be revolving respectfully (Confucius, 1355). This simply means that through the application of virtues, which entails treating others as one would expect others to treat him/her; the individual will earn respect from them. Respect is by far is the most valuable aspect of the relationship between people, considering that people can fulfill the duties that they are supposed to perform for their families and their parents, but where such people are just being dutiful yet having no respect, there simply will be no difference between feeding their parents and feeding their horses or dogs Confucius, 1355). Thus, respect is what measures the value of a relationship and thus earning it is a great advantage for an individual. Through applying virtue while treating others, respect will be borne, since virtue entails doing what one would expect of others to do to him/her, meaning earning respect out of giving respect to others. The rule of virtue is that “what you do not wish for yourself, do not wish for others” (Confucius, 1340). Additionally, treating others as one would expect to be treated by them is advantageous, since it will enable an individual to have more friends who surrounds him/her. This is because; the hallmark of achievement of an individual is the trustworthiness with which the individual has been serving others. Trustworthiness on the other hand cannot be cultivated without there being a good and noble relationship between an individual and those who surround him. Having friends is a major benefit for an individual, because friendship brings delight (Confucius, 1355). Secondly, the benefit that an individual reaps from treating others as one wish they would be treated is that; the individual gains contentment. Contentment is derived from the assurance that the others are reciprocating what an individual has done to them, where doing good will always be accompanied by being done good for. Therefore, all that is required to derive contentment in life is just “loyalty and reciprocity, and that’s all” (Confucius, 1336). Contentment is the result of an individual doing good and not boasting about his good qualities, and without even calling attention to his good deeds. The additional benefit that comes with this aspect of treating others as one would expect to be treated buy them is that an individual wins the heart of the people and thus will get their support (Confucius, 1336). Treating others as one would wish they are treated by them entails doing what is right at the expense of the evil, and raising those who are straight above those who are crooked. Further, the advantage attainable from treating others as one wish they would be treated is that an individual becomes a gentleman (Confucius, 1337). This is because, a gentleman is defined by an individual not being upset when his merit are ignored. It also entails balancing nature and culture, such that an individual is not deluded by either of them to act in way that is inconsistent with the others’ needs. It is therefore through treating others as one would want to be treated by them, that the virtues of a gentleman are demonstrated. The other advantage of treating others as one wish they would be treated is that an individual gains wisdom and joy. This is because, by securing the rights of the people and then respecting the gods, an individual will attain wisdom. With wisdom, then comes the benefit of joy, because “the wise are joyful” (Confucius, 1337). Just by treating others as one would expect to be treated by them, an individual gains the benefit of becoming successful. This is because; the incapacity to stand by what one knows is right, and the incapacity to reform what is not good is the major failure that an individual can have in life (Confucius, 1337). In treating the others as one would want to be treated by them, an individual will change what is not right and stand by what they known is right. This brings success in an individual’s life. Happiness is yet another advantage that an individual reaps by treating others as the individual would wish to be treated. This is because; riches and honor that are not accompanied by justice are simply passing clouds (Confucius, 1338). Therefore, by doing justice to others, even if one is bound to remain poor, an individual gains happiness. It is shameful to become rich in a country that has lost its way. The benefit of treating others as one would wish that they treat him is that an individual is able to change them from being wild to being gentle, through manifesting the values of a gentleman (Confucius, 1339). b. What disadvantages accompany being the authority figure? There are several disadvantages that accompany being an authority figure. First, the authority figure is forced to defend the good with own life (Confucius, 1338). An authority figure is expected to lead from the front, and thus face the challenges by leading his followers through them. If the leader does not lead by examples, he may not be regarded as a good leader. Thus, the major challenge is that the leader faces the risk through own life. The other disadvantage that accompanies being an authority figure is that an individual has to fight to make a name for himself. This is because; if by the age of forty or fifty a man has not made a name for himself, “he no longer deserves to be taken seriously” (Confucius, 1339). The other challenge that accompanies an authority figure is that he is required to be respectful, humble and composed before the rest of the upper authorities. Further, an authority figure has to face the disadvantage of being taken out of breath by the audience when he is addressing the audience. Most importantly however, the disadvantage that accompanies being an authority figure is that an individual has to lead the people like a great ceremony (Confucius, 1340). This simply means that the authority figure has to abide to the many protocols that are reminiscent of a great ceremony, which is a challenge. Works Cited “Confucius”, 1330-1344. Print. Read More