Are You a Complete Person?

In this last blog on the Wisdom of the Way from China, Confucius describes what a wise and complete person does and is. As always, he is very practical, and provides a way for all of us to assess our own wisdom and completeness. Perhaps you could dip into that same Well of Wisdom from which Confucius drew his teachings, and add something of your own to the description he offers of the complete person.

To me, becoming such a person is a life long process, and a Way that can be demanding, but rewarding.

Wise people are easy to serve, but difficult to please.

You can only please them by following the Way.

Foolish people are difficult to serve but easy to please.

You can please them by doing everything they want.

Wise people are at ease in the company of those with power, wealth and status.

They feel no need to assert themselves.

Foolish people are ill at ease in the company of those with power, wealth and status.

They constantly feel the need to assert themselves.

Wise people are able to combine eagerness with gentleness, courage with kindness,

determination with generosity.

Wise people never ask others to do tasks they would not be willing to perform themselves.

Do not make a salary the sole object of your work.

In all activities your primary purpose is to follow the Way.

When someone is in your power, resist the temptation to use that power to your own advantage.

When you have performed some noble act, resist the temptation to brag about it.

When someone has wronged you, resist the temptation to hold a grudge.

When someone is honored more highly than you, resist the temptation to be envious.

Resisting these temptations is hard, but essential for benevolence.

If you possess wisdom, are free from selfish desires, are courageous,

and appreciate music and the other arts, you are a complete person.

But a complete person does not need to have all these qualities.

If you prefer virtue to profit, and remain virtuous even when hard times befall you,

then you are a complete person.

My response:

Today I choose the words of Confucius himself, making them my own, as a fitting way to close this series of blogs from the Chinese/Taoist/Confucius Garden of Faith.

I have set my heart on following the Way.

I have put on the cloak of virtue.

I have benevolence as my staff.

I relax by enjoying the arts.