Selected and Commented Works from Mozi

Author: Li Miao-gen / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The Mozi has a dedicated chapter titled Self-Cultivation, placed as the second chapter in the entire work, indicating that the followers of Mozi placed great importance on personal cultivation. Mozi had many statements on self-cultivation, and he emphasized that "what is spoken with the mouth must be acted upon by the body." Confucianism says, "A gentleman attends to the root; when the root is established, the way arises." It also says, "Filial piety and fraternal respect are the root of benevolence." Confucian self-cultivation also emphasizes the root, but it focuses on family ties, with filial piety as the foundation. The followers of Mozi also emphasize the root, but it is not filial piety but action. The chapter Self-Cultivation clearly states at the outset: although battles emphasize tactics, the fundamental factor determining victory or defeat is morale. Funerals may have specific rituals, but the fundamental principle in funeral rites is to be genuinely mournful. A virtuous and upright person, while valuing knowledge and teachings, fundamentally relies on the word "action." "Action" here has two meanings: deeds and character. With action, theory has practical results; with character, theory can be implemented. Compared to learning, for a gentleman, action is more fundamental and deeper in cultivation. Therefore, the principle is to cultivate action first and pursue broad learning afterward. For example, building a house: without a solid foundation, you cannot construct a towering structure. Similarly, if the people of your own country have not yet rallied to your cause, do not recruit foreigners from afar; if relatives are not united, do not seek distant alliances; if one matter has not yet been accomplished, do not start several things at once; if you do not understand something, do not pursue extensive knowledge. The same principle applies to self-cultivation: if the foundation is not firm, do not boast about broad learning or lofty ideals.
Daoism also speaks of self-cultivation, but their purpose is to govern the body, placing governance of the state and heaven in a secondary position. Moism, however, regards self-cultivation as the prerequisite for governing the world. How to cultivate oneself? Mozi proposed ten methods for self-cultivation:
1. Self-Restraint and Introspection. Mozi said, "To rule the world, one must please those near at hand to attract those far away. A gentleman should cultivate himself to please others." Be strict with yourself, see that those who do not practice virtue are criticized, do not mock others, do not harbor resentment, but reflect on whether you too may have failed to practice virtue or have offended others. Mozi's method of self-restraint and introspection shares similarities with Confucianism's "see the virtuous and emulate them, see the unworthy and examine yourself," and "daily I examine myself in three ways." Introspection and self-examination are important steps in eliminating grievances and cultivating virtue.
2. Cultivating Goodness and Guarding Against Evil. Confucius had the "Four Avoidances": "Do not look upon what is not in accordance with propriety, do not speak what is not in accordance with propriety, do not listen to what is not in accordance with propriety, do not act what is not in accordance with propriety." These are precepts for restraining oneself and restoring propriety to practice benevolence. Mozi also had similar statements: "Do not let slanderous words enter your ears; do not let critical words leave your mouth; do not harbor thoughts of harming others. Even if there are slanderous people, they will have no place to rely on." Do not listen to slanderous words, do not speak attacking words, do not entertain thoughts of harming others. Do not utter evil words, do not hear evil sounds, do not harbor killing intentions. With a clear mind and a pure disposition, even the most talkative people will have no place to spread their mouths.
3. Unremitting Self-Strengthening. Mozi said three things: "In matters of strength, one grows stronger daily; in desires, one grows more fervent daily; in moral cultivation, one grows more robust daily." The first sentence is the core, and the last two are the effects. "In matters of strength, one grows stronger daily" means unremitting self-strengthening; "in desires, one grows more fervent daily" means surpassing one's aspirations; "in moral cultivation, one grows more robust daily" means that moral practices become stronger daily. This is the same as the Book of Changes's "A gentleman strives day and night," and "A gentleman strengthens himself unremittingly."
4. Taking Righteousness and Giving Righteousness. Regarding this, Mozi said four things: "In poverty, one shows integrity; in wealth, one shows righteousness; in life, one shows love; in death, one shows remembrance." In poverty, one maintains integrity and does not covet others' possessions; in wealth, one shows compassion and distributes wealth to help the poor. Not coveting is integrity, and being able to distribute is righteousness. This means handling the relationship between profit and righteousness well. Poor but upright, wealthy but benevolent—such a person will be loved in life and remembered after death. This is similar to Confucius's "be content in poverty and love ritual in wealth," and Mencius's "the poor and lowly cannot be moved, nor the rich and honored corrupted."
5. Maintaining Balance and Adhering to Principles. Advocate persistence and oppose half-hearted efforts, while the guarantee for persistence is to grasp the principle of moderation. Mozi's original words: "Love stored in the heart cannot be exhausted; respect shown in action cannot be exhausted; gentleness in speech cannot be exhausted. It flows through the limbs, touches the skin, and even when one's hair turns white and the head is bald, one still does not give up—only the sage can achieve this?" Love in the heart should not be exhausted, actions should not be overly humble, and speech should not be excessively gentle. Because once it goes too far, it is hard to maintain. Any good intention must be. Love should be constant, humility should be consistent, and speech should be refined. Inner virtue should nourish the limbs and skin, even when one's hair turns white and the head is bald, without giving up—this is the realm of the sage.
6. Cautious Association and Selecting Friends. "Those who cannot share their wealth with others are not fit to be friends; those who do not steadfastly uphold the way, do not broadly understand things, and cannot clearly discern right and wrong are not fit to associate with." The virtuous practice the virtue of sharing wealth, and friends share their wealth with each other. The friendship between Guan and is a classic example of friends helping each other with wealth. Those who cannot uphold righteousness, have shallow understanding, and cannot distinguish right from wrong will inevitably be harmed by associating with such people. As the saying goes, "near the red, one becomes red; near the black, one becomes black." Cautious association and selecting friends are also important aspects of self-cultivation.
7. Seeking Reality and Avoiding Deception. "If the foundation is not firm, success is uncertain." Practice is the foundation, and reputation is the secondary. Once the foundation is established, the secondary will naturally follow; once success is achieved, reputation will naturally come. First come actions, then reputation. Do not covet false names or reputations; "reputation cannot be false," nor can one deceive the world for fame; "reputation cannot be easily achieved, nor can fame be quickly established." To establish a name and extend a reputation, only by being down-to-earth, taking one step at a time, and working hard can one achieve real success and deserve the name. There are no shortcuts or instant results.
8. Humility and Prudence. Boasting without action is useless, even if one speaks well, no one will listen. Even with merit, if one brags, no one will believe it. The wise understand the truth without excessive words; those with merit are humble and thus gain fame. Not boasting about one's achievements is also the correct way for a good person to avoid the fate of "the sweet well dries first, the tall tree is felled first, the tortoise is scorched first, and the divine snake is exposed first." The Book of Documents says, "He who is full suffers loss, he who is humble gains," and the Book of Changes states, "Ghosts and gods abhor fullness and favor humility." These all emphasize the benefits of humility and prudence.
9. Simplicity and Unadornedness. In terms of literature and substance, words should not be excessive but wise; elegance should not be the focus, but insight. The followers of Mozi value substance and simplicity, so they pursue wisdom and clarity. Excessive words without wisdom are just empty talk; elegant but unclear words are empty without substance. Without wisdom and clarity, one cannot conduct oneself properly or achieve great things. Only by genuinely cultivating a love for goodness can one remain good forever; only through conscious action can one be steadfast. Anything not rooted in character or the cultivation of virtuous words and actions is fleeting. As Mozi said, "Goodness without a master in the heart does not last, and actions without discernment in the body do not stand."
10. Practical Action and Diligence. Mozi said, "A gentleman wears the body of the practitioner." A true gentleman is first one who practices. Zhuangzi described the followers of Mozi as "self-disciplined with cords and lines, preparing for the urgent needs of the world," "laboring for the world," and "extreming themselves in hardship," emphasizing that working hard for the world is the defining characteristic of a Moist person. For a clear name, do not calculate profit or loss. Otherwise, if one forgets the name for profit, they are no longer "a man of the world." Mozi's consistent thought is universal love, diligence, and simplicity. Self-cultivation is precisely to ensure that the qualities of universal love, diligence, and simplicity in the followers of Mozi are implemented. And universal love, diligence, and simplicity are also the core content of cultivating a qualified follower of Mozi.