Li (Confucian)

Li (禮 pinyin: Lǐ) is a classical Chinese word used in Confucian and post-Confucian Chinese philosophy. The English meaning is "the way things should be done." 

In Li one must be aware of the way one should act and function within a society. In Li one can best cultivate their character by understanding what it entails. Li encompasses most importantly the Doctrine of the Mean, and the Five Constant Relationships.

The Doctrine of the Mean is the way in which one should make decisions in life, in which the best decision is always the middle between unworkable extremes. Taking the middle road as Confucius said would guide one to the way things should be done.

The Five Constant Relationships outline how one should act in society, being the relationships between parent and child, husband and wife, elder sibling and junior sibling, elder friend and junior friend, and ruler and subject. With these constant relationship guidelines, Li sets up a hierarchy between the two people and terms the accepted responses and actions between them.

A parent is to be loving, a child obedient.
An elder sibling is to be gentle, and younger siblings respectful.
Husbands are to be good and fair, and wives understanding.
Older friends are to be considerate, younger friends reverential.
Rulers should be benevolent, and subjects loyal.

References
 Ames, Roger T., Rosemont Jr., Henry (Translators). "Analects of Confucius." Ballantine Books:1998
 Brash, Graham. "The Sayings of Confucius." Graham Brash (Pte.) Ltd Singapore: 1988
 Confucius.  "The Li Ji" Shandong Frienship Press: 2000
 Lau, D.C. (Translator). ``Confucius: The Analects.`` The Chinese University Press:1 992 
 Nylan, Michael.`(Article) ``Li`` from ``The Encyclopedia of Confucianism`` RoutledgeCurzon: 2003
 Qiuming, Zuo (Commentary) "Selections from Spring and Autumn Annals." Shandong Frienship Press: 2000
 Henry Rosemont, Jr. Lecture, Brown University, 2005
 Twitchett, Denis and Wright, Arthur F. "Confucian Personalities." Stanford University Press: 1962 
 Watson, Burton (Translator). "Basic Writings of Mo Tzu, Hsun Tzu, and Han Fei Tzu." Columbia University Press:1 963

Category:Confucianism