Want Goodness, and It Is Here

Reading it step by step

Last page's “learn from the low, reach the high” sounded like a long road. On this page Confucius says goodness is not far at all.

First: ren is the right road for a human life. It isn't some unreachable height. It is the path between people: finding the fitting way to be with parents, friends, strangers. Confucius asks, “Is goodness far away?” and answers himself: if I want it, it is here. The road is under your feet. The only question is whether you turn toward it.

Second: why does wanting it bring it? Because human nature leans toward the good. The word “leans” matters. If we were already good by nature, there'd be nothing to work at. If we were bad by nature, we could only be held down from outside. Instead, there is a pull in us toward the good, and when we are sincere it comes out on its own. That's why a kindness leaves you at ease and a cruelty leaves you uneasy. The first person who benefits from doing good is you.

An old story tells of Gu Rong at a banquet. He noticed the servant carrying the roast meat staring at it and swallowing hard, so he gave the man his own portion. The other guests laughed. Gu Rong said: how can someone carry roast meat all day and never know how it tastes? Years later, fleeing a war, he was in danger again and again, and each time one man appeared to protect him. It was the servant who had eaten that meat. Gu Rong wasn't thinking of any return. In that one moment, goodness had already arrived.

“I want goodness” isn't a vow you make once. It's many small choices a day. In a meeting, handing the floor to the person who hasn't spoken. Coming home and putting the phone down before asking how everyone's day went. Seeing someone's embarrassing moment online and not sharing it.

Goodness isn't far away. It's in your next decision.