Humaneness

and the
Superior Person
CONFUCIANISM
What Is Humaneness?

The quality of compassion or consideration

for others
The Confucian notion of humaneness 
Jen (wren): human heartedness, goodness, benevolence
and altruism towards others

There is a distinction between one’s mere outer expressions

of humaneness and one’s inner sense of it.
Acquiring Humaneness
develop the virtues of dignity and patience which will help at being
at peace regardless of the difficulties that we face in life.
Confucian principle of reciprocity
Shu : Self-reflection
Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.
This principle is similar to the famous Golden Rule, namely, “Do to
others what you would want done to yourself.
Sometimes called the “Silver Rule.”
The Superior Person 
Chun-tzu or Junzi: It is the man who lives by the highest ethical standards.
personifies the virtue of humaneness.
The term originally referred to children of aristocrats who inherited their family
estates
Confucius sees the superior person as the ideal to which his followers should
strive.
Qualities of a superior person 
Exhibits a range of virtuous qualities, including humility, respectfulness,
kindness, justice, impartiality, honesty, consistency, caution, and studiousness.

The superior person is not driven by a need for fame, yet at the same time he
“dislikes the thought of his name not being mentioned after his death.”

Superior person’s attitudes and conduct will be guided by an overall sense of

justice