The Analects and the Academic Differences of Min's Interpretation between Han and Song Dynasties

Ancient Confucians explained the min (敏) in The Analects mainly for quick meaning and diligence. Regardless of whether it is for learning, words and deeds, meritorious deeds, or virtue, in the era of learning, the Han and Tang dynasties viewed Confucian virtue of min (Min De) as a swiftness, embodying the characteristics of seeking outward progress. In the Neo-Confucian era, Song Mingru viewed the virtue of min as diligent, which turns to searching inwards for virtue of kindheartedness (Ren De), which leads to and grasps the supreme ontological "rationality" or "heart". The reason why the interpretation of The Analects has such a change is closely related to the differences between Confucians in the Han and Tang Dynasties, and those in the Song and Ming Dynasties in the ideology, personal temperament, and national situation. The history of the Han and Tang dynasties can be described as a great period in the history of China. It is extremely strong externally, while that of the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties is weak, but extremely rich internally. The differences are mapped to individuals, reflecting the rigid temperament pursued by the Han and Tang Scholars and the toughness tempered by those of the Song and Ming Dynasties, and such differences lie in the change of people's ideological concepts. Song Confucians criticized the achievements of the Han and Tang dynasties, especially the rise of Cheng Zhu Neo-Confucianism. The Confucians valued their own values and focused on the inner sacred. Personality orientation is essentially a manifestation of the inner sanctity and pressure on the outer king. Hence, it has turned from an extroverted affair to seeking inwardness. Confucian Min De is a proposition and pursuit of action and practice. If we can regain the Confucian virtues today, we should combine it with diligence to achieve unity in our internal and external affairs.