Before You Read
1.How much do you know about the great figure Confucius？
2.When we mention Confucianism，what do you think of it？
3.How do you think of Confucius'ideas of education？
4.What are the major doctrines of Taoism？
5.Do you know the main schools of philosophy in Chinese history？
Reading 1
Confucius and Confucianism
Confucianism
Confucianism is the cornerstone of traditional Chinese culture as well as a complete ideological system created by Confucius.It has dominated a feudal society that lasted 2000 years and for that reason its influence over the history，social structure and the people of China cannot be overlooked.
（旁注：Confucianism）
（旁注：［kən'fju:ʃənɪzəm］）
（旁注：n.孔子思想；儒家思想）
（旁注：cornerstone［'kɔ:nəstəun］）
（旁注：n.奠基石）
（旁注：ideological）
（旁注：［.aɪdɪəu'lɒdʒɪkəl］）
（旁注：adj.思想的；意识形态的）
（旁注：dominate［'dɒmɪneɪt］）
（旁注：vt.在……中占主要地位）
Life of Confucius
He was born in 551B.C.in the State of Lu〔1〕.His father died when he was very young.Despite a hard life，he dedicated himself to study at the age of 15.Patriotism was the driving force for the young Confucius and he set his sights on an official career as a means to apply his political ideals.It was not until he was 51 that his official life really assumed great importance.He was forced to resign four years later and obliged to leave his country and to travel around the states.He died of illness at the age of 73.
（旁注：dedicate［'dedɪkeɪt］）
（旁注：vt.致力）
（旁注：patriotism［'peɪtrɪətɪz（ə）m］）
（旁注：n.爱国心，爱国精神）
（旁注：assume［ə'sju:m］）
（旁注：vi.假定；设想）
Thoughts and Impacts
Compared to his frustrated political career，his career as a teacher and philosopher was full of achievements.He promoted the ideas“to educate all despite their social status”〔2〕and“to teach according to the students' characteristics”〔3〕.He also proposed a complete set of principles concerning study.He said:“Studying without thinking leads to confusion；thinking without studying leads to laziness.”〔4〕Today's quality-education was nothing new to him.Although he wrote nothing personally，his words were collected and recorded by his disciples as“The Analects”〔5〕，one of the most important of all the Chinese classics.
（旁注：resign［rɪ'zaɪn］）
（旁注：vt.辞职；放弃）
（旁注：frustrated［frʌ'streɪtɪd］）
（旁注：adj.失意的，挫败的）
（旁注：philosopher［fɪ'lɒsəfə］）
（旁注：n.哲学家；哲人）
（旁注：status［'steɪtəs］）
（旁注：n.地位；身份）
（旁注：disciple［dɪ'saɪpl］）
（旁注：n.弟子；门徒）
He took great delight in studying and was modest enough to learn from anyone.His endless pursuit of truth，ideas and perfect personality，his integrity，kindness，modesty and courteousness inspired his disciples and the generations who contributed much to the spreading，formation and development of Confucianism.
（旁注：pursuit［pə'sju:t］）
（旁注：n.追求；追赶）
（旁注：integrity［ɪn'tegrɪtɪ］）
（旁注：n.正直；诚实）
（旁注：courteousness）
（旁注：［'kə:tɪəsnɪs］）
（旁注：n.谦恭有礼；礼貌）
He was quite easy with his ideas in spite of poverty.He was always ready to help others and treated others with tolerance and honesty.He said，“Do not give others what you do not want yourself”〔6〕，similar to the Bible teaching of“All you to them:because this is the law and the prophets.”〔7〕
（旁注：tolerance［'tɒl（ə）r（ə）ns］）
（旁注：n.宽容；容忍）
（旁注：prophet［'prɒfɪt］）
（旁注：n.预言家，先知）
Influenced by Confucianism，in Chinese culture，an intellectual is not limited in study.He should be successful in being a human.A key objective of an intellectual should be to make full use of his ability，personality and intelligence to do good for the state，society and the world at large.
（旁注：intellectual［ɪntə'lektʃuəl］.）
（旁注：n.知识分子；脑力劳动者）
Strictly speaking，Confucianism is not a religion but more a doctrine than belief.It is part of world cultural heritage and an integral part of Chinese life.
（旁注：doctrine［'dɒktrɪn］）
（旁注：n.学说；教义）
（旁注：heritage［'herɪtɪdʒ］）
（旁注：n.遗产；继承物）
Language Focus
1.despite：尽管，虽然；不顾
in spite of：尽管，虽然；不顾
*despite用作介词时，与in spite of同义，后面都接名词性成分，如名词、动名词、名词性从句，用法基本一致。但他们后面接句子一般用despite/in spite of the fact that的结构，that后是同位语从句，这样比较正式。
e.g.:Despite his advanced years，he is learning to drive.
虽然年事已高，他现在在学驾驶汽车。
We arrived at the station in spite of the storm.
虽然有暴风雨，我们依旧准点到达火车站。
She was good at physics despite/in spite of the fact that she found it boring.
尽管她觉得物理很枯燥，但她很擅长物理。
2.dedicate oneself/one's time/one's money to doing：把（时间、力量、金钱等）用在……
e.g.:She has dedicated much of her time to taking care of the old in the community.
她花费了许多时间照顾小区的老年人。
He dedicated all his life to the liberation and prosperity of the Chinese Nation.
他把一生都献给了中华民族的解放和富强。
3.set sights on：把目光放在……；以……作为自己的目标（希望得到）
e.g.:After returning to China this week，Liu said he had set his sights on the 2012 London Olympics.
本周回国后，刘表示自己已经将目标瞄准2012年伦敦奥运会。
We set our sights on our modernization building.
我们致力于现代化建设。
4.It was not until...that...直到……才……，是强调句型，对句中的时间进行强调。
e.g.:It was not until 1936 that basketball became a regular part of the Olympic Games.
直到1936年，篮球才成为奥运会的一个常规部分。
It was not until I finished my homework that I was admitted to play computer games.
直到完成了作业，我才被允许玩游戏。
5.be obliged to do：被迫做某事
feel obliged to do：感觉有必要（有义务）做某事
e.g.:However，do not be obliged to hurry your choice of career.
然而，不要被迫过快的选择自己的职业。
Interviewers feel obliged to be polite and offer you a drink，but they do not really want to go fetch that cup of tea.
面试官会客气地问你要不要喝点什么，但他们真不想去取那杯茶。
6.compared to/with：放于句首，意为“与……相比”，可视为独立成分。
*compare...to…与compare...with…的区别：
compare...to…意为“把……比作”，即把两件事物相比较的同时，发现某些方面相似的地方。这两件被比较的事物或人在本质方面往往是截然不同的。
e.g.:Chairman Mao compared the young people to the morning sun.
毛主席把青年人比作早晨的太阳。
compare...with...“与……相比，把两件事情相比较，从中找出异同”，这两件事往往是同类的。
e.g.:Let me compare my homework with yours.
把我的作业和你的对一下。
7.take great delight in：喜欢；取乐
e.g.:He seemed to take great delight in buying a new television.
买了一台新电视，他看起来很高兴。
As for me，I take great delight in gardening.
就我而言，我非常喜欢园艺。
8.contribute...to：捐献，贡献；有助于……
e.g.:He contributed half of his savings to the relief fund.
他将积蓄的一半捐献给救济基金会。
His experience contributes greatly to the success of his novel.
他的经历对他的小说的成功帮助很大。
9.be easy with：容易；轻松
e.g.:The professor was free and easy with his students.
教授对他的学生要求不严格。
As Holmes had imagined，times had not been easy with him.
正像福尔摩斯所说，伯内特的日子不好过。
10.be successful in：成功地做……
e.g.:I want to be successful in life.
我想成为人生赢家。
They were successful in launching a communication satellite.
他们成功地发射了一颗通讯卫星。
11.at large：详细地；充分地；总体地
e.g.:The question is discussed at large in my report.
我在报告中对该问题作了详细的探讨。
When we talk about the world，we mean the world at large.
当我们说到世界，是指整个世界。
*at length终于（最后；详细地）
e.g.:We will debate the subject at length later when we are at leisure.
我们等有空再对这个题目展开辩论。
12.not...but：不是……而是……
e.g.:That is not，properly speaking，a dictionary，but a grammar.
严格说来，那不是一本词典，而是一本语法书。
He's not a fast horse but he's certainly a stayer.
这匹马跑得不快，但很有耐力。
13.more...than：与其说……不如说……；是……更是……；后跟形容词、副词、动词、名词等。
e.g.:The boy is more diligent than clever.
与其说这男孩儿聪明，不如说他勤奋。
The book seems to be more a dictionary than a grammar.
这本书看起来与其说是一本语法书，不如说是一本词典。
Related Background Information
Confucianism（儒家思想）
儒家思想是先秦诸子百家学说之一。儒家思想也称为儒教或儒学，由孔子创立，最初指的是从事丧葬行业的司仪，后来以此为基础逐渐形成完整的思想体系。儒家基本上坚持“亲亲”“尊尊”的立法原则，维护“礼治”，提倡“德治”，重视“仁治”。儒家思想对封建社会的影响很大，被封建统治者长期奉为正统思想。它成为中国传统文化的主流，影响深远。
儒家思想之经典名言：
爱人者，人恒爱之；敬人者，人恒敬之。（《孟子·离娄下》）
译：爱别人的人，别人永远爱他；尊重别人的人，别人永远尊重他。
志不立，如无舵之舟，无衔之马，漂荡奔逸，终亦何所底乎？（王阳明《教条示龙场诸生·立志》）
译：志向不确立，犹如无舵之船、无绳之马，飘荡放纵，到何处去呢？
为山九仞，功亏一篑。（《尚书·旅獒》）
译：造一座高山，如果少最后一筐土，则将前功尽弃。
天下未有不学而成者也。（《中说·礼乐》）
译：世界上没有不经过学习就能成功的人。
人无远虑，必有近忧。（《论语·卫灵公》）
译：一个人如果没有长远的考虑，就一定会遭遇突然出现的祸殃。
天下之事，不进则退，无一定之理。（《近思录·治体类》）
译：天下的事情，不前进就会后退，没有静止不动的道理。
Reading Comprehension
Decide whether the following statements are true or false.Write“T”for True and“F”for False.
1.Confucianism is the cornerstone of traditional Chinese culture as well as the only ideological system created by Confucius.（ ）
2.Confucianism dominated a feudal society that lasted 2000 years and even today.（ ）
3.Born from a well-to-do family，Confucius began his study very early.（ ）
4.Confucius set his sights on an official career as a means to apply his political ideals because of his patriotism.（ ）
5.His official life was not smooth and he was forced to travel around the states.（ ）
6.He got great achievements as a teacher and philosopher instead of political career.（ ）
7.His ideas about education still has great influence on today's education.（ ）
8.The Analects，collecting his words，recorded by his disciples，became one of the most important of all the Chinese classics.（ ）
9.He pursued truth，ideas and perfect personality in his whole life.（ ）
10.An intellectual in China should do good for the state，society and the world by making full use of his ability，personality and intelligence.（ ）
Reading 2
The Contention of a Hundred Schools of Thought［1］
The Hundred Schools of Thought〔9〕were philosophers and schools that flourished from 770 B.C.to 221 B.C.Even though this period-the Spring and Autumn period〔10〕and the Warring States period〔11〕，was fraught with disorder and bloody battles，it was also the Golden Age of Chinese philosophy〔12〕because a broad range of thoughts and ideas were developed and discussed freely，known as the Contention of a Hundred Schools of Thought.They have great influence on lifestyles and social consciousness up to now in East Asian countries.
（旁注：contention［kən'tenʃ（ə）n］）
（旁注：n.争论，争辩）
（旁注：flourish［'flʌrɪʃ］）
（旁注：vi.繁荣，兴旺）
（旁注：fraught［frɔ:t］）
（旁注：adj.担心的，忧虑的）
（旁注：consciousness［'kɒnʃəsnɪs］）
（旁注：n.意识；知觉）
Besides Confucianism，philosophical Taoism or Daoism〔13〕developed into the second most significant stream of Chinese thoughts.Its formulation is often attributed to the legendary sage Laozi.The focus of Taoism is on the individual within the natural realm rather than the individual within society；accordingly，the goal of life for each individual is seeking to adjust oneself and adapting to the law of the natural（and the supernatural）world，to follow the Way（tao）of the universe，and to live in harmony.
（旁注：formulation［fɔ:mju'leɪʃn］）
（旁注：n.构想，规划）
（旁注：attribute［'ætrɪbju:t］）
（旁注：v.把……归于）
（旁注：legendary［'ledʒ（ə）nd（ə）rɪ］）
（旁注：adj.传说的；著名的）
（旁注：sage［seɪdʒ］）
（旁注：n.圣人；智者）
（旁注：realm［relm］）
（旁注：n.领域；王国）
Mohism or Moism〔14〕was developed by followers of Mozi（470B.C.～391B.C.）.This school did not survive through the Qin Dynasty.Its philosophy rested on the idea of universal love.Mozi believed that“everyone is equal before heaven”，and that people should seek to imitate heaven by engaging in the practice of collective love.
The School of Law or Legalism〔15〕doctrine was formulated by Han Feizi（280B.C.～230B.C.）and Li Si（284B.C.～208B.C.），who maintained that human nature was incorrigibly selfish；accordingly，the only way to preserve the social order was to impose discipline from above，and to see to a strict enforcement of laws.
（旁注：doctrine［'dɒktrɪn］）
（旁注：n.学说；教义）
（旁注：maintained［meɪn'teɪn］）
（旁注：v.坚持；断言）
（旁注：incorrigibly［ɪn'kɒrɪdʒəblɪ］）
（旁注：adv.不能矫正地）
（旁注：preserve［prɪ'zʒ:v］）
（旁注：v.保护；保持）
（旁注：impose［ɪm'pəuz］）
（旁注：v.强加；强）
The School of Naturalists or Yin-yang〔16〕was a Warring States era philosophy that join the concepts of Yin-yang and the Five Elements.Zou Yan is considered the founder of this school.His theory attempted to explain the universe in terms of basic forces in nature:the complementary agents of yin（dark，cold，female，negative）and yang（light，hot，male，positive）and the Five Elements or Five Phases〔17〕（water，fire，wood，metal，and earth）.This school was absorbed into Taoism's alchemic and magical dimensions as well as into the Chinese medical framework.The earliest surviving recordings of this are in the Ma Wang Dui Texts〔18〕and Huang Di Nei Jing〔19〕.
（旁注：complementary）
（旁注：［kɒmplɪ'mentrɪ］）
（旁注：adj.补充的；互补的）
（旁注：agent［'eɪdʒənt］）
（旁注：n.因子）
（旁注：alchemic［æl'kemɪk］）
（旁注：adj.炼金术的）
（旁注：dimension［daɪ'menʃn］）
（旁注：n.范围；方面）
Language Focus
1.be fraught with：充满的；伴随的；忧伤的；忧虑的
e.g.:The long journey through the forest was fraught with danger.
穿越森林的长途旅行充满了危险。
Next week will be particularly fraught as we've just lost our secretary.
我们的秘书刚刚辞职，下星期令人特别担心。
2.up to now:“迄今”，句子要用现在完成时态。
e.g.:Her life has run smoothly up to now.
她的生活到目前仍一帆风顺。
Up to now nobody has claimed the suitcase.
到现在还没人认领这个行李箱。
3.besides/in addition to/apart from：除……以外，（还，也）……
except/apart from除……外，（其余都）……
e.g.:Besides English，they also study math，physics and chemistry.
除了英语以外，他们还学习数学，物理和化学。
He answered all the questions except the last one.
除了最后一个问题外，所有的问题他都回答了。
4.attribute...to：把……归因于，其中to是介词，后接名词、代词宾格或动名词。
e.g.:Jim attributes his success to hard work.
吉姆把他的成功归功于努力工作。
Economists attributed the slow progress in economy to poor cooperation.
经济学家把经济增长缓慢归咎于合作不好。
5.rather...than：宁可……也不愿；与其……，倒不如；而不是
e.g.:It is better to express your anger，rather than bottle it up.
生气宁可发泄出来而不要闷在肚内。
She is a career woman rather than a housewife.
她是职业妇女而不是家庭主妇。
6.seek to：试图做某事，后接动词原形。
e.g.:States seek to become stronger through alliance.
各国力求通过结盟而更加强大。
Many people in their lifetime avoid or do not even seek to find the answer to that question.
许多人在他们的一生中都在逃避或根本没有去寻找过这个问题的答案。
7.adjust oneself to：使自己适应于……，后接名词、代词、动名词；着重于结果，即达到尽可能的符合或和谐。
adapt oneself to：使自己适应于……，用于使之适应的两个事物之间差别较小的事物，将某一方稍加改变便可适应于另一方，带有一定的灵活性和适应性。
e.g.:One should adapt oneself to the changed conditions.
我们应当使自己适应变化了的情况。
This kind of desk can be adjusted to the height you need.
这种书桌的高低可以按照你的需要调节。
8.engage in：从事；参加
e.g.:He is engaged in scientific pursuit.
他从事科学研究。
I will engage to manage the business if you will engage to provide the capital.
如果你答应出资本，我答应经管这个生意。
9....the only way to preserve the social order was to impose discipline from above...
表达中的两个不定式短语有不同的语法作用：to preserve the social order作the only way的后置
定语；to impose discipline from the above则在句中作表语成分。
10.see to：负责，注意，照料，后接名词、代词。
e.g.:See to it that the lights are turned off when you leave the office.
你离开办公室时请确保电灯都关闭。
Will you see to the arrangements for the next committee meeting？
你来处理下次委员会会议安排好吗？
Related Background Information
the Contention of a Hundred Schools of Thought（百家争鸣）
百家争鸣是指春秋（前770年—前476年）战国（前475年—前221年）时期知识分子中不同学派的涌现，以孔子、老子、墨子为代表的三大哲学体系，形成百家争鸣的繁荣局面。各种思想学术流派的成就，在中国思想发展史上占有重要的地位，与同期古希腊文明交相辉映。据《汉书·艺文志》的记载，数得上名字的一共有189家，4324篇著作。其后的《隋书·经籍志》《四库全书总目》等则记载“诸子百家”实有上千家。但流传较广、影响较大、较为著名的不过10家而已。
Reading Comprehension
Make the best choice according to what you have read.
1.Which of the following is Not true about the Hundred Schools of Thought？
A.The most representative of the Hundred Schools of Thought is Confucianism.
B.There is a broad range of thoughts and ideas being developed and discussed freely.
C.There are one hundred schools of thought during the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period.
D.It flourished from 770 B.C.to 221 B.C.
2.The Contention of a Hundred Schools of Thought had great influence on lifestyles and________up to now.
A.social consciousness B.education
C.military D.economy
3.Philosophical Taoism or Daoism was formulated by________.
A.Confucius B.Laozi C.Mozi D.Han Feizi
4.According to_________，the goal of life for each individual is seeking to adjust oneself and adapting to the law of the natural（and the supernatural）world.
A.Confucianism B.Mohism C.Taoism D.The School of Law
5.The representatives of the Hundred Schools of Thought were Confucianism and________.
A.Mohism B.Taoism
C.The School of Law D.all of the above
6.The Great works by Laozi is______.
A.Book of Songs B.The Art of War
C.Tao Te Ching D.Confucian Analects
7.Who thought that people should seek to imitate heaven by engaging in the practice of collective love？
A.Confucius B.Laozi C.Zou Yan D.Mozi
8.Han Feizi was the representative who formulated_______.
A.The School of Law or Legalism B.The School of Military Arts
C.The School of Agrarianism D.The School of Diplomacy
9.The thought“the only way to preserve the social order was to impose discipline and to see to a strict enforcement of laws”is the philosophical idea of______.
A.The School of Agrarianism B.The School of“Minor-talks”
C.The School of Law or Legalism D.The School of Military Arts
10.The Five Elements or Five Phases of The School of Naturalists or Yin-yang contributes a lot to._____
A.Chinese medical framework B.Chinese agriculture
C.Chinese industry D.Chinese business
