Paul Brunton Philosophic Foundation homepage > Notebooks of Paul Brunton

---

Roughly, it may be said that Lao Tzu favoured the idea of sudden enlightenment whereas Confucius favoured that of "enlightenment by degrees."

The way to Godliness is open to all: the humblest peasant may become holy. But to those who understand that there is an evolution at work among human beings, such a condition, though welcome, is not enough. Confucius perceived this and left it to others to preach religion and mysticism. He added the further ideal of the well-behaved refined and cultivated person.

Confucius' "Superior Person" ideal was a well-equilibrated being living in a well-ordered equilibrated society.

-- Notebooks Category 15: The Orient > Chapter 4 : China, Japan, Tibet > # 97