The Analects – Chapter 169 (7.21). Focus on human ethics over supernatural matters

7.21

The Master never talked of prodigies, feats of strength, disorders or spirits.

子不語怪，力，亂，神。

Notes

This statement from the Analects was not a denial of their existence, but rather a deliberate focus on human ethics and social order. This approach centrally embodies the Confucian rational spirit of ’emphasizing reality over superstition’.

Confucian discourse consistently focuses on ‘how humans can become better’ and ‘how society can become better’.”

“Devote yourself to guiding the people to uphold righteousness, respect ghosts and spirits yet keep a distance from them – this may be called wisdom.”(Analects 6.22)

This is a direct expression of Confucius’ attitude toward ghosts and spirits – one should focus on guiding the people to practice morality and righteousness, maintain reverence for ghosts and spirits without blind faith or indulgence. He neither denied the existence of ghosts and spirits (as a sign of respect) nor wasted energy on matters related to them. This is perfectly consistent with his stance of “not speaking of spiritual beings”, highlighting the core principle of “prioritizing human affairs”.

“You have not yet learned to serve humans – how can you serve ghosts and spirits?”….”You do not yet understand life – how can you understand death?”(Analects 11.12)

With these progressive rhetorical questions, Confucius clearly prioritized “human affairs” over ghosts, spirits and life and death. If one cannot even comprehend the way to serve the living, how can they talk about serving ghosts and spirits? If one does not grasp the principles of living in the present world, how can they inquire about what happens after death?

This is precisely the underlying logic of “not speaking of spiritual beings” – the core of Confucianism lies in addressing the moral and social order issues of real-life human existence, rather than engaging in empty talk about illusory ghosts, spirits, life and death.