Question

    One of the deepest teachings of Confucius may have valued personal exemplification above clearly expressed rules of behavior. His moral teachings emphasized self-cultivation(培养), imitation: of moral exemplars, and the attainment of skilled judgment rather than knowledge of rules. His teachings rarely rely on reasoned argument, and moral ideals and methods are conveyed indirectly. His teachings require examination and context to be understood. A good example is found in this famous anecdote:

廄焚。子退朝，曰:“傷人乎？”不問馬。

When the stables were burnt down, on returning from court Confucius said, “Was anyone  hurt? ” He did not ask about the horses.

X.11 (tr. Waley), 10-13(tr. Legge), or X-17(tr. Lau)

By not asking about the horses, Confucius demonstrates that the sage(圣人)values human beings over property, but not directly; readers are led to reflect on whether their response would follow Confucius’s and to pursue self-improvement if it would not have. Confucius, as an exemplar of human excellence, serves not as an all-powerful deity(神人)or a universally true set of abstract principles, but rather the best model for others. For these reasons, according to many commentators, Confucius's teachings may be considered a Chinese example of humanism.

One of his teachings was a variant(变体)of the Golden Rule, sometimes called the “Silver Rule” owing to its negative form:

己所不欲，勿施於人。

“What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others.”

子貢問曰:“有一言而可以終身行之者乎?”子曰:‘‘其恕乎！己所不欲、勿施於人。”

Zi Gong [a disciple] asked: “Is there any one word that could guide a person throughout  life?”

The Master replied: “How about ‘reciprocity’! Never impose on others what you would not  choose for yourself. ”

Analects XV.24, tr. David Hinton

Often overlooked in Confucian morals are the virtues to the self: sincerity and the cultivation of knowledge. Virtuous action towards others begins with virtuous and sincere thought, which begins with knowledge. A virtuous nature without knowledge is likely to be influenced by corruption, and virtuous action without sincerity is not true righteousness(正义). Cultivating knowledge and sincerity is also important for one’s own sake; the superior person loves learning for the sake of learning and righteousness for the sake of righteousness.

1.The horse example in the first paragraph is to show that Confucius ____________.

A. paid much attention to moral teachings

B. meant others to understand his teachings by self-reflection

C. directly demonstrated his emphasis on human beings

D. never inhumanly forced others to do what he didn’t like to do

2.What does the last paragraph mainly talk about?

A. The importance of the virtues to the self.

B. How to define the virtues to the self.

C. The relationship between sincerity and knowledge.

D. Why the virtues of the self are often overlooked.

3.Which of the following principles of Confucius is mentioned in this passage?

A. Example is better than teaching.

B. He who practices virtues will have neighbors and friends.

C. Keep what you say and carry out what you do.

D. By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wild apart.

Answer

1.B

2.A

3.A

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。短文说明孔子的道德教导强调的是自我修养，模仿道德典范，以及熟练的判断能力，而不是明确地表达行为准则。

1.推理判断题。由第二段“By not asking about the horses, Confucius demonstrates that the sage(圣人)values human beings over property, but not directly; readers are led to reflect on whether their response would follow Confucius’s and to pursue self-improvement if it would not have”可知，孔子通过不问马的情况，表明圣人重视人而不重视财产，但不是直接表明；他引导读者思考他们的反应是否会跟随孔子的反应，并在没有自我完善的情况下追求自我提高。所以判断出第一段中的马的例子是想表明，孔子想让其他人通过自我反省来理解他的教导。故B选项正确。

2.主旨大意题。由最后段“Often overlooked in Confucian morals are the virtues to the self: sincerity and the cultivation of knowledge. Virtuous action towards others begins with virtuous and sincere thought, which begins with knowledge. A virtuous nature without knowledge is likely to be influenced by corruption, and virtuous action without sincerity is not true righteousness(正义). Cultivating knowledge and sincerity is also important for one’s own sake; the superior person loves learning for the sake of learning and righteousness for the sake of righteousness.”可知，儒家道德中经常忽视的是自我的美德：真诚和知识的培养。对他人的善行始于善心，始于知识。没有知识的美德很可能受到腐败的影响，没有真诚的美德行为不是真正的正义。为了自己的利益，培养知识和诚意也是很重要的；上等人为了学习而热爱学习，为了正义而热爱正义。所以最后一段主要讲美德对自我的重要性。故A选项正确。

3.细节理解题。由第一段“One of the deepest teachings of Confucius may have valued personal exemplification above clearly expressed rules of behavior.”可知，孔子最深刻的教导之一是重视个人的榜样，而不是明确地表达行为准则。所以孔子的教导强调身教重于言教。故这段短文中提到了孔子的“身教重于言教”的教义。故A选项正确。