I enjoyed the fact that these chapters skim though a variety of topics. First of all, in my opinion, the analects present an interesting view at things. However, I had a hard time getting the hang of it especially because of all the extra information and confusing wording involved.
In book seven, particular topics arose. “If wealth were something worth pursuing, then I would pursue it, even if that meant serving as an officer holding a whip at the entrance to the marketplace. Since it is not worth pursuing, however, I prefer to follow that which I love” 7.12. It was interesting to see what an important role love is given, even to the point where it steps over wealth and the many luxuries that accompany it. Also it allows us to understand the importance of love in society, something that even the wisest of the wise noticed and acknowledged.
“Is Goodness really so far away? If I simply desire Goodness, I will find that it is already here.” 7.30. This excerpt was also worth observing. How I interpreted it, it made reference to the fact that Goodness, or any particular thing it is we are looking for, is found by perseveration rather than hastily searching for ways to get there.
Book eight was concise and short. It kept mentioning the term “ritual” which I found to be a rather abstract and undefined concept. “If you are respectful but lack ritual you will become exasperating; if you are careful but lack ritual you will become timid; if you are courageous but lack ritual you will become unruly; and if you are upright but lack ritual you will become inflexible.” 8.2. What exactly are they referring to as having “ritual”? Isn’t it something you perform?
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