Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth — Page 159
CONFUCIANISM "When a man's knowledge is sufficient to attain, and his virtue is not sufficient to enable to hold, whatever he may have gained, he will lose again. . When his knowledge is sufficient to attain, and he has virtue enough to hold fast, if he cannot govern with dignity, the people will not respect him. . When his knowledge is sufficient to attain, and he has virtue enough to hold fast; when he governs also with dignity, yet if he try to move the people contrary to the rules of propriety:- full excellence is not reached. ” " 27. It is also evident that Confucius was convinced that man's Creator has great influence over him and that He alone was worthy of his worship. This is revealed by the following tradition: 'Wang-sun-Chiâ saying, (to the Master Confucius): "What is the meaning of the saying, It is better to pay court to the furnace than the southwest corner?”. The Master said, “Not so. He who offends against. Heaven (God) has none to whom he can pray. " 8. To offend against the creative principles of God is to act contrary to the inner nature of man, which God has designed to be a reflective mirror of His own attributes. The one who turns away from God has none else to turn to. . The above quotes serve to illustrate that at its source,. Confucianism cannot be treated as a man-made philosophy. . At its core, it contained the essential belief in an externally existing Creator, whose ways are to be revered and emulated. They further illustrate that mere knowledge, devoid of the essential ingredients of seeking God and putting into practice His ordinances, was considered to be of no value. . Furthermore, as will become evident from the quotes furnished below, Confucianism presents God (or Heaven) 159