Fine Art “Reflections I” FA#9

Description

“Reflections I”   Contains Chinese writings on rice paper sheet  from the Confucius Analects.

Bamboo covered with Pewter holding raw jute fiber , gold leaves and a Chinese coin  enhance the power of this Collage .

Source of the text:

The text in the art appears to come from an annotated manuscript of Analects of Confucius .

Analects of Confucius is the collection of sayings and teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (475-221BC).

This book grew to be the one of the central texts of Confucianism . (The book is believed to be written by Confucius  students and followers during the Warring States period.)

The Page:

The page contains verses 5 and 6 of Chapter 14 and commentaries of these verses.

Chapter 14 verse 5

Confucius said: “ A virtuous person , acts on his promise but a person who acts in his promise may not be a virtuous. A person who is benevolent may have courage, but a person who have courage may not be benevolent.”

Chapter 14 verse 6

Nan Gong Shi consulted Confucius, saying: “Hou Yi was good in archery. Ao was good in water battles, but both died untimely death. Yu and Ji involved themselves in agriculture, and they gained the kingdom. “Confucius did not comment. Na Gong Shi left. Confucius said : “ this man is a gentleman. He has high regards for virtue indeed “.

This is a translation of the Confucius text on “Reflections I”, done by one of my students (Chinese) at Allan Hancock College Santa Maria  CA. on 2013.

Additional information