20100929 Confucius His Wisdom Lives On (3)

Confucius: His Wisdom Lives On

Throughout his 12-year-journey, Confucius encountered indifference, extreme hardship and danger, nearly being assassinated on one occasion. At 67, he returned to Lu, having been unsuccessful in his efforts to persuade even one ruler to practice his moral doctrines. Yet Confucius never faltered in his belief that the most important task of any ruler was to work for the welfare and happiness of his people.

Confucius' final years

He spent the next few years studying, writing and teaching his ever-expanding group of students. It's been said that up to 3,000 men may have studied with Confucius although only 22 are actually mentioned in the Analects, which were written by his disciples. Sadly, Confucius' last years were unhappy, as his son died during this time and his favorite disciple died the year the philosopher returned to Lu. One morning in 479 B.C., the sage died in bed. His followers buried him with great ceremony, built huts close to his grave, and spent the next three years there in mournful respect. The news of his death spread quickly, and finally in death, Confucius received national respect and boundless admiration - admiration that continues today for China's greatest teacher.

assassinate v. 暗殺/行刺

=> almost murdered

eg: The king was nearly assassinated by one of his guards.

=> 國王差點就被一個士衛給暗殺了。

assassination n.

eg: The assassination of the president caused the nation to panic.

=> 總統被刺殺造成全國的震驚。

mourn v. 哀悼

mournful adj. 哀悼的/悲傷的

eg: The puppy's mournful eyes make you want to hug it.

=> 小狗悲傷的眼睛讓你好想去抱抱它。

eg: The mournful cello solo still lingers in my head.

=> 大提琴悲傷的獨奏讓我久久難忘。

bound v. 受拘束的/被綁住的

boundless adj. 無限的/無窮的

=> without bound/limt

eg: Nothing can express my boundless gratitude.

=> 沒有任何事物可代表我無盡的感謝。

eg: The boy has boundless energy.

=> 這個男孩有用不完的精力。

indifference n. 漠不關心/冷淡/不感興趣

hardship n. 艱難/困苦

doctrine n. 主義/信條/政策

=> belief

Analects n. 論語

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ceremony Cn. 典禮/儀式

=> 宗教或是國家莊嚴的儀式

eg: a wedding ceremony 結婚典禮

eg: a funeral ceremony 喪禮

eg: a graduation ceremony 畢業典禮

ceremony 當不可數名詞是禮節

eg: without ceremony 不拘禮節的

eg: they buried him with great ceremony

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Some famous quotes from Confucius include "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." "Men's natures are alike , It is their habits that carry them far apart." "What a superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others."