Confucius: Who Is a Good Citizen Term Paper

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Citizen in the Analects of Confucius

A good citizen ought to have a number of qualities and behave in a certain way. To determine what it means to be a good citizen, one could consult the Analects of Confucius and relate the teachings therein to current events and happenings. From the onset, it would be prudent to point out that a significant portion of Confucius' teachings dwelt on the subject of good governance and other equally important social teachings.

To begin with, it is important to note that to be a good citizen, one ought to accept their role in the society. When questioned on government, Confucius replied in no uncertain terms that the ruler ought to be a ruler, and the subject ought to be a subject (Watson 17). A good citizen respects the hierarchies of power. Further, still on respecting the hierarchies of power, Confucius pointed out that subjects must neither oppose a ruler openly, nor deceive him (Watson 30). In today's society, it is not uncommon to hear of aides being accused of insubordination. It has also become fashionable for those defeated in political contests to dispute results even in those instances whereby elections are conducted in a free and fair manner. A good citizen is cognizant of the fact that there can only be one ruler.

Good citizens also serve their rulers, and by extension their countries, diligently and faithfully.

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Those who fail to offer service to the ruler, and by extension their motherlands, "lack rightness" (Watson 22). Still on the making of a good citizen, it should be noted that a good citizen also ought to be a 'person of action' and work hard in whatever it is that he or she undertakes. Indeed, it is by working hard that such an individual contributes towards not only his prosperity, but also that of his or her nation. Action, and not empty rhetoric, should be the guiding principle of a good citizen. While seeking political office, politicians have been known to make all manner of promises. At the time of making such promises, these individuals are not only aware, but also certain of the fact that theirs are empty promises that stand no chance of being fulfilled. Such individuals are not good citizens. As Confucius observed, "he who speaks irresponsibly will find it hard to put his words into action" (Watson 29). A good citizen is therefore a person of action -- for it is through action that he or she can help develop his or her nation.

Humanness is also a pointer towards good citizenship. Confucius referred to humanness as the "beauty of the community" (Watson 24). In basic terms, humanness has got to do with behaving in a civilized, caring, and….....

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