Confucian conservatism

  • The Analects – Chapter 11.14

    The people of Lu were planning to rebuild the Changfu (the state treasury or armory). Min Ziqian said, “Why not keep the old structure as it is? Why must we rebuild it?” Confucius remarked, “This man seldom speaks – but when he does, his words always hit the mark.”

  • Doctrine of the Mean Chapter 29. Virtue and Position in Harmony

    The Master said:“Foolish yet fond of acting on one’s own judgment;lowly yet fond of exercising sole authority;living in the present age, yet opposing its established Way by blindly reverting to antiquity –such a person will surely bring disaster upon himself.”