Considered the Chun-tzu (virtuous being) to be a                                                                                                      
human being of total virtue, but acknowledged that this was an                                                                                        
ideal state.                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                      
Human beings were imperfect beings (but certainly more                                                                                                
superior than animals and technology), lacking in virtues and                                                                                         
control against evil thoughts and actions.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                      
Unfortunately, many of us did not realise this fact or if we                                                                                          
did, did not want to accept it. Hence, we gave no priority to                                                                                         
self-reflection with the aim of identifying our personal                                                                                              
strengths and weaknesses.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                      
Confucius expressed his disappointment thus: "In vain have I                                                                                     
looked for a single man capable of seeing his own faults and                                                                                          
bringing the charge home against himself." (Analects, V:26)                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                      
Confucius regarded learning as the road towards                                                                                                       
self-cultivation and self - actualisation. Through learning,                                                                                          
one acquires knowledge and through knowledge, one develops the                                                                                        
character and morality (jen) required of a chun- tzu.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                      
A chun-tzu with good character and morality is guided by the                                                                                          
Three Ways - Goodness, Wisdom and Courage: "The Master said,                                                                                     
'The Ways of the true gentleman are three. I myself have met                                                                                          
with success in none of them. For he that is really good is                                                                                           
never unhappy, he that is really wise is never perplexed, he                                                                                          
that is really brave is never afraid'." (Analects, XIV:30)                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                      
Through birth, the individual acquires certain characteristics                                                                                        
that distinguish him from his fellow beings, but it is through                                                                                        
learning that he can nurture these characteristics and put                                                                                            
them to good use.                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                      
The learned chun-tzu is a product of both his nature and                                                                                              
culture. only when he is able to confront his innate                                                                                                  
tendencies and at the same time, transcend the dictates of                                                                                            
social forces with his internalisation of the virtues of jen                                                                                          
can the individual rise above his station to become a                                                                                                 
chun-tzu.                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                      
Man has to learn to bring together nature and culture so that                                                                                         
one does not dominate or subjugate the other.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                      
Learning, in the Confucian sense, is a two-way process of                                                                                             
reading, studying, thinking and reflecting. For Confucius had                                                                                         
cautioned, "to study and not to think is a waste. To think and                                                                                   
not study is dangerous." (Analects, II:15)                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                      
The ultimate aim of learning is more than an accumulation of                                                                                          
facts or intellectual stimulation. It is for the cultivation                                                                                          
of character and morality within the individual so as to                                                                                              
enable him to have satisfying intra- and inter- relationships.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                      
The learned individual, according to Confucius, will bb in a                                                                                          
state of happiness and harmony with himself, his family,                                                                                              
community and the rest of society.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                      
The true gentleman is able to act without fear or favour,                                                                                             
without prejudice or injustice, principally because he has                                                                                            
transcended the confines of nature and norms.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                      
In other words, the gentleman acts in an autonomous, just and                                                                                         
reasonable manner based on his internalisation of the Three                                                                                           
Ways.                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                      
Confucius explained how this could be done: "The Master said,                                                                                    
'Yu, have you ever been told of the Six Savings about the Six                                                                                         
Degenerations?' Tzu-lu replied, 'No, never.' (The Master said)                                                                                        
'Come, then: I will tell you. Love of Goodness without love of                                                                                        
learning degenerates into utter lack of principle.  Love of                                                                                           
keeping promises without love of learning degenerates into                                                                                            
villainy. Love of uprightness without love of learning                                                                                                
degenerates into harshness. Love of courage without love of                                                                                           
learning degenerates into turbulence. Love of courage without                                                                                         
love of learning degenerates into mere recklessness'."                                                                                           
(Analects, XVII:8).                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                      
Hence, learning involves both theory and practice. We are                                                                                             
"transmitters of knowledge" (Analects, VIIA) and so, we will                                                                                
have to put into practice what we have learned. Unless we do                                                                                          
so, we will not contribute to our personal development and                                                                                            
that of the society.                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                      
Confucius held learning in such high esteem that he developed                                                                                         
a system of grading people according to their willingness to                                                                                          
learn and acquire knowledge: "Those who are born knowing it                                                                                      
are the best. Those who study to know it are next. Those who                                                                                          
are limited and yet study are next.  These who are limited and                                                                                        
do not even study are considered to be the lowest level of                                                                                            
people." (Analects, XVI:9).                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                      
In this article, I have attempted to bring to life Confucius'                                                                                         
philosophy of moral conduct based on his idea of jen, the                                                                                             
chun-tzu. Confucian philosophy invites us to retrace our steps                                                                                        
and learn our History; to take time off to consider and                                                                                               
contemplate what we did and are doing; and to not lose sight                                                                                          
of the importance of fellow human beings in our lives.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                      
Confucius endorsed change for "only the very wise and very                                                                                       
foolish do not change." (Analects, XVII:3).  But in order for                                                                                    
the change to be suitable and effectual, we have to                                                                                                   
contextualise the new with the old and consider how the old                                                                                           
can serve the new: "He who by reanimating the Old can gain                                                                                       
knowledge of the New is fit to be a teacher." (Analects,                                                                                         
II:11).                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                      
Amid our concerns for the human touch in our                                                                                                          
technologydominated world, it is fitting perhaps to conclude                                                                                          
this article with a reminder from Confucius: "I have listened                                                                                    
in silence and noted what was said. I have never grown tired                                                                                          
of learning nor wearied of teaching others what I have learnt.                                                                                        
The thought that I have left my moral power (te) untended, my                                                                                         
learning unperfected, that I have heard of righteous men, but                                                                                         
been unable to go to them; have heard of evil men, but been                                                                                           
unable to reform - it is these thoughts that disquiet me."                                                                                       
(Analects, VII:3).