Confucius

Confucius said there are five constant relationships. Each one was different. “The person of excellence will embody what are termed the Five Constant Relationships” (148). Confucius discusses each one and they are explained. The five constant relationships are parent/child, husband/wife, elder/younger sibling, elder/younger friend, and ruler/subject.

“Within the five basic relationships, the parent/child is the most fundamental and as a result, Confucianism emphasizes the value of the family” (149). A family who is happy and lives a good life will in turn set a good example for the child when they grow up.

The husband/wife relationship shows duties for both sides. Both people have a role to fulfill. “A wife should not have slavish obedience to a husband” (149). Each person should respect one another and they’re relationship for it to go smoothly and each person to get along. A healthy relationship will come if each person does what they need to do to make the relationship work.

The elder/younger sibling, elder/younger friend, and ruler/subject all seem to be similar to me. A person of higher authority or of an older age will influence the other person. The superior person also has authority. Obedience and respect should also be used in these relationships just like the other two. Both people have to put in effort for things to work and be happy with each other. A person of authority has earned their place to be there and if they don’t use it properly they should be replaced. Without the right order in something, things will go terribly wrong in the case of all five of these relationships.

Each one of these relationships may be different in how they act towards each other and present themselves but in the end they are all very similar. Without simple things like respect and thought of the other person the relationship would fail. Each relationship should consider the other person and how to treat them. These relationships can work with...