THE ETHICS OF CONFUCIUS. 99 



The golden rule of the Christian religion is regarded as tlie 

 climax of excellence. Five centuries before Christ, Confucius 

 wrote page after page to inculcate this same principle. One half 

 of the decalogue of Moses is devoted to enforce the rights of 

 man between man. Thou shalt not steal, nor bear false witness 

 against thy neighbor, nor covet anything that is his. One man 

 shall not tear down or injure another, in order to promote his 

 own interests, is a doctrine hostile to the nature and practices of 

 men in all ages, and yet a principle essential to the perpetuity of 

 governments and social progress. Animals by instinct devour 

 and destroy each other in their j)ursuit of life. Men in uncivil- 

 ized states do the same thing in effect ; and it is quite clear that 

 we have not yet fully outgrown the animal instinct in this direc- 

 tion. But we all understand that it is right to do so, and, if we 

 do not, we at least pretend that we do, and only eat each other 

 metaphorically. 



Nature has wisely provided that, when a man has lived for a 

 few years, he shall give place to his successors. But as long as 

 one remains on the earth, other things being equal, he is entitled 

 to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in his own way, pro- 

 vided his way does not interfere with the rights of others. There 

 is room on the earth for all that are likely to occupy it at any one 

 time, and, when the numbers reach an excess, disease or famine 

 or war relieves the surplus. And under all circumstances every 

 man should be protected in his life and interests from unequal 

 advantages being taken of him by his neighbors. So taught Con- 

 fucius. So teach all systems of sound social and moral philosophy. 



In conclusion, I wish to say that, judged by what it has prob- 

 ably accomplished, the Confucian system has done much toward 

 creating whatever of good is found in Chinese character and in- 

 stitutions ; and what it has failed to accomplish is not due to 

 any defects in the system, but rather to the inherent tendency in 

 human nature to seek its own way. Men have been slow to ask 

 what is the better and wiser course to pursue, and have inclined 

 to follow their more brutish instincts. 



At the present day, however, Confucius wields but little in- 

 fluence over the Chinese. In most cities are temples, or, more 

 correctly speaking, halls known as Confucian halls. They are 

 entirely void of any appearance of idolatry. His name is revered 

 as a wise and good man, but he is not worshiped, nor has he in any 

 legitimate sense been deified by the people. As Washington in 

 America is venerated as the father of his country, and as Abra- 

 ham Lincoln is spoken of in history as the savior of his country, 

 so likewise is Confucius spoken of among Ms people as the wise 

 philosopher, and patron of letters, and promoter of good govern- 

 ment, but not as the founder of a religion, nor an object to be 



