confucius, life skills, performing arts, perseverance, practice

Practice Makes Perfect

Regardless of your area of expertise, there is always room for improvement. This is especially true if you’re a professional in the performing arts. It’s nearly impossible to be happy with constant rehearsals. There are bound to be days when you’re not at 100 percent or maybe not even at 50 percent. On those days, ...

Jessica Kneipp

A violin bow lying on sheet music.

Finding a Spiritual Cure for the CCP Coronavirus Pandemic

In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) described the potential outbreak of a multifaceted pathogen, which they called “Disease X” as a placeholder. “Disease X” was characterized as being highly infectious, of unknown origin, and potentially lethal — with wide-ranging implications for social and economic stability should it develop into a global pandemic. The CCP coronavirus ...

Max Lu

A Buddha statue surrounded by crystals.

The Analects Uphold Integrity: Profound Thoughts from Confucius

The Analects, a collection of the teachings and thoughts of Confucius, reveal how he achieved his enlightenment in cultivation at the very beginning. He said: “Isn’t it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned?” To me, learning and practicing can be fun once in a while, but not all the time, especially when it is ...

Emma Lu

A Chinese terracotta soldier.

Upholding Integrity

Confucius was once a SiKou (司寇), similar to a Minister of Justice. On the seventh day of this post, he punished a local Shaozeng (an official title) Mao (少正卯) with the death penalty. Some considered the punishment to be too severe and too soon. After all, Confucius was very new to this position, but he ...

Armin Auctor

A boat with Tell the Truth on the side.

An American’s Love, and Sorrow, for China

In 1961, a little boy walked into a Boston art museum and fell in love with paintings from China’s Song Dynasty period. That boy is now an eminent expert on China, a Harvard-educated historian who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania and whose career has included posts on high-level U.S. government advisory committees. He has ...

Nspirement Staff

Professor Arthur Waldron.

Confucius Disciple Min Sun Exemplifies Filial Piety

Min Sun, also known as Min Ziqian, was one of Confucius’ favorite disciples and one of the most prominent, known for his filial piety. He was a native of the Kingdom of Lu from the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.). Distinguished for his moral integrity, the following legend was included in the classic Confucian ...

David Jirard

The Words of Wisdom in the ‘Analects of Confucius,’ Part I

The Analects of Confucius is a collection of sayings and ideas collected by his students around 500 B.C. during China’s Warring States period. As ancient as it is, the values behind the words withstand the test of time. Some of the sayings from the Analects of Confucius Man’s life is full of uncertainty. It might ...

David Jirard

A portrayal of Confucius.

Confucius, the Greatest Sage and Teacher in Chinese History

During the last several hundred years of the Zhou Dynasty (周朝), people’s selfish desires increased along with the development of society. The ancient great virtues and the virtuous rule of emperors in the Xia Dynasty (夏朝), Shang Dynasty (商朝), and early Zhou Dynasty were replaced by individuals seeking personal interest. As a result, relationships among ...

Armin Auctor

Harmony: A Precious Element in Traditional Chinese Culture

In the long history of Chinese civilization, harmony has always been a highly valued virtue. Chinese people have always put an emphasis on harmony. It encompasses the fundamental principles of nature, society, and humanity. It is also a prerequisite for cultivating one’s morality, protecting one’s family, governing one’s nation, and stabilizing the world. Harmony is ...

Armin Auctor

A bird sitting on a branch.

6 Joys According to Confucius

Confucius taught the world that there were six simple joys for happiness in life, which still hold true in today’s society. 6 joys of Confucius 1. The joy of practice and learning analects Isn’t it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned? Learning is a continuous process of improvement that brings us toward perfection. ...

Helen London

Confucius