Benevolence and Lifestyle

Today, in my Nature of Human Nature Class, it was said that because Confucius worked all of his life to reach benevolence, it was made easier for us to reach benevolence. In conjunction with this, perhaps defining what was meant by 'easier for us to reach,' the term 'goal' was used several times to refer to achieving the Decree of the Heavens and, thus, benevolence. Goal is defined, by Merriam-Webster, as 'the end toward which effort is directed.' This implies that nothing additional, no continued effort, is required after attaining this end.  After you achieve the 'goal' once, you don't need to persist.

Benevolence, I think, is a lifestyle choice. You cannot be benevolent once and then claim a metal for it. As with other aspects of personality and character trait, it can change. You cannot say that you were nice, because you once helped a woman across the street but from thereon pushed old ladies into the street. Similarly, you cannot be benevolent (selfless) once and then consider yourself benevolent forever. You need to be constantly working on it.

*These may or may not be the views/thoughts of Confucius. I am offering my own modern interpretation of Confucianism which may or may not happen to coincide with Confucius' thoughts (I do not know).