On The Thought Of “no Speaking” In Confucius’ Philosophy

A story was recorded in Confucian Analects: the Master said "I would prefer not speaking." Then Tsze-kung asked, "If you, Master, do not speak, what shall we, your disciples, have to record?" The Master answered, "Does Heaven speak? The four seasons pursue their courses, and all things are continually being produced, but does Heaven say anything?" According to this story as a clue, this paper indicated the reason and purpose of Confucius’ “no speaking”. For this, it clarified two conditional questions. One is the relationship between “speaking” and “no speaking” and the scope of their interaction so that the interpretation of “no speaking” has a basic legality and would not be too abroad. Another is can “no speaking” is a way to explain Confucius’ theory of Ren? If it could be, it can emancipate the meaning of “no speaking” from the dominant theory of Taoism and avoid this becoming negative. As a result, “no speaking” will help people undergird their morals and achieve their positive goals.Studying and analyzing “no speaking” under Confucius’ theory of Ren need focus on two kinds of subjects. Firstly, for metaphysical subject—God, “no speaking” maintains the balance of the controller and the independency of human, therefore God was no longer an external force to human but an important assistance for individuals to become conscientious, confident and kind. Such God and the unity of nature and virtues indicate the reverence of Confucius toward life and admiration toward nature, inaction and abidance and also show the rules of life. Secondly, for physical subject—human, Confucius advocated the theory of “no speaking” because of the immobilization of language in teaching, the distortion of communicational process and non uniformity of words and behaviors. It encourages people should insist themselves and become open during communication and do not influence by other things; should insist the principles of learning silent and self-examining; do not regard morals as a kind of knowledge; do not use morals to deceive others; should unify knowledge and behaviors and achieve accomplishments.