The world is a very hectic place. The majority of us get up and hurry with our work. We check our phones and check our emails. In the process, we usually overlook the little things that make life special. This is the reason why it is so important to have a moment of reflection every day. Today’s quote of the day assists us in taking a step back and seeing the world with new eyes. This quote comes from one of the greatest teachers of all time. It makes us remember that everything is about our perspective.
Quote of the Day by Confucius
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”
Who was Confucius?
Confucius was an extremely renowned Chinese teacher and philosopher who was born on September 28, 551 BCE. He was known as Kong Fuzi or Master Kong. He never wrote books to be famous. Rather, he was interested in educating people on how to lead good lives. He was a believer in kindness, respect and family.
Confucius traveled a lot in his life. He addressed both the leaders and ordinary people. His thoughts formed the basis of much of the East Asian culture. Even now, his teachings are still studied by millions of people in order to achieve peace and wisdom. He is also remembered as a wise man who considered character over wealth.
Context of the Quote
Confucius was living at a period when there was a lot of trouble in China. Between various states, there were numerous wars. Individuals were furious and frightened. During this period of darkness, Confucius was concerned with harmony. He desired that people should see the good in others and themselves.
This is a quote in a series of his sayings known as the Analects. These were written down by his students after his death. The quote was a reaction to the way in which people perceive the world. People tended to look at things and only saw what was broken or ugly. Confucius desired his disciples to go further. He was of the opinion that the universe is inherently balanced and good. To observe such goodness, an individual has to possess a pure and transparent mind.
Meaning of the Quote
This quote is regarding the way we utilize our eyes and our hearts. It appears to be easy on the surface. But it has an extremely profound meaning. Confucius is telling us that beauty is not merely about the appearance of something. It is more about the value which is inherent in every individual and every thing.
Consider a plain rock on the ground. It is simply useless to one individual while it can be a tool or a part of history to another person. The rock remained the same, but the individual who gazed upon it was different. Confucius teaches us that beauty is a preference. If we start looking for flaws we will find them, similarly if we look for beauty, we will find that too. It suggests that we humans possess the most powerful tool to perceive the beauty of anything and that tool is nothing but our eyes.
Applicability of the Quote in Real Life
This ancient wisdom can be applied to our life on a daily basis. These are three ways in which you can use it in your life today:
In Your Relationships: Sometimes we get irritated with our friends or family. We concentrate on their errors. When you go by this quote, you seek the beauty in their heart rather. You recall how kind they were or how funny they were. This will assist you to remain happy and patient.
In Nature: You do not need to have a great mountain view to admire beauty. Beauty can be found in a little flower which grows out of a crack in the sidewalk. You can get it in the manner the rain beats on your roof or the way the river meanders along its path.
In Your Hardships: Even a bad day has something beautiful in it. Perhaps a stranger was kind to you. Perhaps you learned a hard lesson that will help you later. Finding the “beauty” in a struggle helps you grow stronger.
By doing this, you are training your brain to think positively. You no longer wait until you get a life that is perfect, but you start to enjoy the life you currently have.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day: Socrates on Staying Humble
Interesting Fact About Confucius
Did you know that the family of Confucius has the longest documented family tree in the world? There are over two million registered descendants of the philosopher living today. The family line has been tracked for over 80 generations. This shows the kind of respect people still have for his name and his legacy even after thousands of years.
To conclude, Confucius reminds us that we have the power to change our world by positively changing our thoughts. Beauty is always there to be found, it is just waiting for us to notice it. We need to stop and seek it. Try to find one beautiful thing in a place where you usually do not look and you might be surprised by what you find.
