[One Thousand Characters a Day] Wisdom from the Analects, 'Studying People' <3>

Editor's NoteThe world is composed of countless 'encounters' with others beyond the self called 'I.' From family to friends, teachers, seniors, juniors, workplace superiors, and customers, we face numerous others with many faces in the social positions we pass through in life. Building relationships with them is not simply about expanding 'my own benefit,' but a process of colliding with and breaking countless universes and rebuilding them. Jo Yoonje, a classical studies scholar, guides us to understand and accept this process with an open heart in Studying People, based on the teachings of the Analects. Word count: 1017.

里仁爲美 擇不處仁 焉得知 (Iin wimi taekbulcheoin eondeukji)

The customs of a village that embody benevolence are beautiful. If one chooses not to dwell in benevolence, how can one be called wise? - Iin

People are influenced and governed by their environment. No matter how outstanding a person is, they cannot be free from it. Of course, those who have reached the highest level of self-cultivation say, "No matter what environment you live in, you must change it and make it a better place." But this is only possible for people like Confucius or Dasan Jeong Yak-yong. It is difficult for ordinary people to attempt.

However, even the great ones could not be completely free from their environment. Therefore, they repeatedly emphasize the importance of carefully choosing the people they associate with and the environment they are in. This is likely to teach others and also to reaffirm their own commitment. The previous example is similar, but the Analects continuously contain the same teaching.

In Iin, it is stated, "A person's faults correspond to the group they associate with. By looking at their faults, you can know whether they are benevolent." Also, Confucius taught, "A skilled craftsman must first sharpen his tools. Likewise, wherever you live, serve the wise among the elders of that country, and befriend the benevolent among the scholars of that country." This was Confucius' answer when his disciple Zigong asked how to practice benevolence. He explained his core philosophy of benevolence by comparing it to the way a craftsman works, making it easy to understand. Here, 'elders' refers to superiors who work alongside and teach you. 'Scholars' refers to those you regularly associate and socialize with. Whether in work or life, carefully choosing the people you are always with and living with them naturally allows you to internalize benevolence.

'Near vermilion, one is stained red; near ink, one is stained black (Geunjooja jeok, geunmokja heuk)' is also a well-known phrase vividly illustrating the importance of choosing whom to associate with. It appears in Taijaso Bujam compiled by Fu Xuan, a scholar of the Western Jin dynasty, and the following phrase is also an apt metaphor: "When the sound is harmonious, the echo is clear; when the form is correct, the shadow is straight (Seonghwajeukhyangcheong hyeongjeungeuyeongjik·聲和則響淸 形正則影直)."

- Jo Yoonje, Studying People, Cheonglim Publishing, 18,500 KRW