a.
The virtue of
virtues; Confucius said he never really saw it full expressed. The other
virtues follow from it. He never gives and defends a definition of it although
he does characterize it.
b.It is dearer than life itself--the man of jen will
sacrifice his life to preserve jen, and conversely it is what makes life worth
living.
c.
Jen is a sense
for the dignity of human life--a feeling of humanity towards others and
self-esteem for yourself.
·
Such feeling
applies to all men--not just one nation or race. It is the foundation of all
human relationships.
·
There is the
belief that jen can be obtained; indeed, there is the belief in the natural
perfectibility of man. Hence, he rejects the way of human action where one
satisfies likes and avoids dislikes.
·
The first
principle of Confucianism is to act according to jen: it is the ultimate guide
to human action.
d.We should seek to extend jen to others.