THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING
SIX VIRTUES and SIX OBSCURATIONS
Food for Thought
By
VIKRAM KARVE
The Analects is a collection of sayings of Confucius. In one of the Analects (Analects 17.8) Confucius talks of Six Virtues and Six Obscurations.
First let us see the meaning of the words virtue and obscuration.
Virtue: An example or kind of moral excellence, righteousness, goodness.
Obscure: To conceal, to make unclear, to shroud or hide in darkness, not clearly seen or easily distinguished.
Here are the Six Virtues and Six Obscurations:
One who loves humanity but not learning will be obscured by ignorance.
One who loves wisdom but not learning will be obscured by lack of principle.
One who loves faithfulness but not learning will be obscured by heartlessness.
One who loves uprightness but not learning will be obscured by violence.
One who loves strength of character but not learning will be obscured by recklessness.
Dear Reader, as you can see it is learning that enables us realize our virtues. Hence the importance of learning.
Hey, Dear Reader, wait a moment and read again – the Analects list only five virtues and five obscurations. I check my reference source (A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy p 47) – yes there are only five, not six virtues and obscurations. Can anyone please enlighten us regarding the sixth virtue and sixth obscuration?
VIKRAM KARVE
VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU, Lawrence School Lovedale, and Bishop's School Pune, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog - http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com
Academic Journal Vikram Karve – http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile of Vikram Karve - http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
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