A Study Of Qian Mu’s New Interpretation Of The Analects Of Confucius

The Analects of Confucius is one of the essential texts for scholars in traditional Chinese society,and there are countless works by later commentators on the Analects of Confucius with different interpretations.Qian Mu was in an era of fierce clashes between Chinese and Western cultures,when traditional thought and culture were under severe impact and Confucianism was once in decline,and his criticism of Confucius,the spokesman of Confucianism,made him feel the world’s misunderstanding of Confucianism.Qian Mu was deeply influenced by Confucianism,and his upbringing created a gentle atmosphere of Confucianism for him,and he witnessed in his parents,teachers and friends the concrete expression of Confucianism’s "benevolence," "filial piety," and "propriety" in his behavior.These factors led him to disapprove of the world’s criticism of Confucius and Confucianism.In addition,in the face of the onslaught of Western thought,his sense of identification with traditional Chinese culture drove him to believe that the essence of Chinese culture should be extracted to inspire scholars at this time and restore confidence in Confucianism.The New Interpretation of the Analects of Confucius in that it largely continues the interpretation of Zhu Xi’s Collected Commentaries on the Analects of Confucius and strictly follows the unified examination of diction,evidence,and righteousness.In The New Interpretation of the Analects of Confucius,his commentary is straightforward in its original meaning,using modern vernacular language concepts to restore the thought of Confucius a thousand years ago,and to refine the phrases in The Analects of Confucius that have common meanings in the past and the present,which he considers to be the embodiment of Confucius’ subtle thought.The purpose of Qian Mu’s "New Interpretation of the Analects" is to facilitate the reader’s understanding,so his interpretation of the original meaning of the Analects is based on enlightening the reader from ordinary events,without drawing conclusions from a high place.At the same time,his "warmth and respect" for traditional Chinese culture,influenced by the times,prompted him to supplement his New Interpretation of the Analects with a well-intentioned interpretation of statements involving the image of Confucius.In addition,Confucianism,as a system of thought,is concerned with the practicality of learning,and in the Analects,Confucius’ s goal is to "enter the world," both in his own attempts to rule the world and in his education of his students.In his New Interpretation of the Analects of Confucius,Qian Mu summarizes Confucius’ s thought on "entering the world" as "to be useful in the world",contrasting the active Confucius who entered the world with the passive hermit in the Analects of Confucius,and highlighting Confucius’ s sense of mission,which has practical significance.In "A New Interpretation of the Analects of Confucius," Qian Mu argues that there are limitations in the interpretation of Confucius’ thought between Song and Qing Confucian scholars,forming an academic barrier.In this book,Qian Mu argues that Song and Qing Confucian scholars have limitations in their interpretation of Confucius’ thought,forming an academic barrier.Qian Mu judges Zengzi’s lineage of learning through his words "loyalty and forgiveness" and Confucius’ s comment in the Analects that "Sen also Lu".Here,he looks beyond the defense of Zengzi by Song Confucianism and the total rejection of Zengzi by Qing Confucianism,and takes a level view of the history of Confucianism to conclude that Zengzi’s "theory of loyalty and forgiveness is not far away,though not in the middle".This analysis based on the history of Confucianism is a manifestation of Qian Mu’s historical vision.In addition,in his New Interpretation of the Analects of Confucius,Qian Mu summarizes Confucius’ thought as "teleology" and "historiography",and his interpretation of "benevolence" and "ritual" is based on the history of Confucianism.In his interpretation of "Ren" and "Rites," Qian Mu views "Ren" from the perspective of "teleology" as a simple emotion that arises when people get along with each other.He attributed "ren" to "humanity is based on the human heart",with the aim of revealing the simplicity and simplicity of Confucius’ way,while his interpretation of "ritual" was based on "historiography"."He argues that " rites " refers to the standard of regulation for people to get along with each other,and that although it has accumulated over time to become a rule to be followed in the hierarchy,the core of " rites " is still " and "The description of the " rites of mourning " in the Analects of Confucius reveals that " the essence of rites lies in the heart.Qian Mu’s exploration of the essence of "benevolence" and "ritual" is based on his belief that Confucius’ thought is not profound and difficult to understand.This is his deep grasp of Confucius’ thought of "benevolence" and "propriety",and also the purpose of writing "New Interpretation of the Analects of Confucius".Although Huang Kan was a Confucian scholar,he believed that Confucianism,Buddhism,Taoism and Buddhism were intermingled in the Southern dynasty,which was manifested in the exposition of"Interpreting the Scriptures with Taoism" in "The Analects of Confucius",and Huang Kan interpreted Confucius’ teachings with Taoism’s "Yin and Yang Harmony"."He believes that the teaching of Confucius lies in "learning",and that both "benevolence" and "ritual" are introduced by "learning".He believes that the teaching of Confucius lies in "learning" and that both "benevolence" and "ritual" are introduced by "learning".At the same time,Huang Kan believes that Confucius’ "sage" status is the result of the times,"virtue without position",unlike Huang Kan,Zhu Xi in "The Analects of Confucius" that Confucius’ "sage" is a self-effacing term for Confucius.He also interpreted the "Ren" in the Analects as "the theory of love".Qian Mu disagreed with Zhu’s interpretation of "ren" and believed that Zhu Xi’s commentary covered Confucius’ thought with indifferent rationalism and had no connection with the simple Confucianism.The different interpretations of Zhu Xi’s commentary show the deep influence of Zhu Xi’s admissibility,but Qian Mu’s commentary also reveals his excessive defense of Confucius’ thought,as some of Confucius’ ideas in the Analects are not in line with contemporary values,but his affection for Chinese culture makes his subjective arguments in the New Interpretation of the Analects,such as his admiration and support for Confucius and his glorification of Confucianism,a criticism of the book.