Confucius placed much emphasis on the conduct of people, especially as it relates to customs and ethics. The word ? (L? ) means propriety and encompasses this idea of etiquette and proper behavior.
To Confucius, proper behavior was essential to society. He postulated that the interactions between people and nature all follow certain rules of behavior and people in society must interact according to these rules.
People should show loyalty to the emperor, children should respect their parents, younger siblings should look up to older siblings, and the younger generation should defer to elders.
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? (L? )is extremely broad in scope. Confucius wrote three books, “Yi Li” (the Book of Etiquette and Ceremony), “Li Ji” (the Book of Rites), and “Zhou Li” (the Rites of Zhou), which covered over 300 major and 3,000 minor rules of behavior.
Together these books, the “Three Rites,” help define the rules of behavior, covering everything from greeting strangers in the street to conducting ceremonies and commemorating ancestors. In fact, ? (L? ) is so essential that it can be compared to the Western concept of culture.
By following these principles, human society can be brought to an ideal level of harmony and order.
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