S10
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Confucianism went through several stages of development, and painting it as weak and apathetic is unfair. Confucius himself was certainly not weak or apathetic philosophically. He was very much of an eye for an eye person, for example: 或曰:“以德报恨,何如?”子曰:“何以报德?以直报怨,以德报德。” Also, in 君子六艺 (Six Gentleman Arts), archery and chariots were both related to war, so he was not advocating for men to be weaklings. Confucius himself was said to be physically imposing and an expert swordsman. In addition, he stressed that men should behave by virtue and constantly seek self-improvement, especially rulers. While it was true he advocated loyalty to the ruler, the ruler also must be loyal to his people and rule wisely. If the ruler failed to act properly, the people can abandon him.
However, Confucianism had its meanings "corrected" several times by scholars looking to please emperors. First of such was during the Han dynasty, followed by Song, then Ming and finally Qing. It imposed more and more restriction on thoughts each time it was changed By the time of Qing dynasty, it effectively became a twisted version devoid of any connection to the original. It favoured scholars above everyone else, including craftsman, farmers, and soldiers. It was this twisted version that held back technological, military and societal development. Like Christianity in Europe, Confucianism was changed into a tool to maintain power by the ruling elites. For that, I hardly blame Confucius himself as he could not have forseen it.
However, Confucianism had its meanings "corrected" several times by scholars looking to please emperors. First of such was during the Han dynasty, followed by Song, then Ming and finally Qing. It imposed more and more restriction on thoughts each time it was changed By the time of Qing dynasty, it effectively became a twisted version devoid of any connection to the original. It favoured scholars above everyone else, including craftsman, farmers, and soldiers. It was this twisted version that held back technological, military and societal development. Like Christianity in Europe, Confucianism was changed into a tool to maintain power by the ruling elites. For that, I hardly blame Confucius himself as he could not have forseen it.