Confucian and Taoist communities have different values, virtues and beliefs. This is evidenced in the readings of the Analects, Mencius, Daodejing, and Zhuang-Zi by their different uses of literary symbols, such as water. Water is mentioned several times throughout the four readings. Selections from Dialogue and Mencius show how Confucians use water as a literary symbol of necessary benevolence as opposed to fire or malevolence. The Daodejing and Zhuang-Zi selections show how Taoists use water as a literary symbol as a metaphor for one's path in life and how that path can and will change, no matter what. The differences in water use in Confucian and Taoist texts tell us that Confucian communities value the betterment of society compared to Taoist communities who value the physical world and what comes naturally from it. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In Confucianism and Taoism, water is seen as an essential part of life, most likely due to its importance in the natural world for the sustenance of all living beings. However, water has different symbolic properties between Confucian and Taoist teachings on how to be a good person. Unlike Taoist readings, when water is mentioned in Confucian teachings, it is almost always accompanied by the symbol of fire. This highlights how Confucians applaud people for being able to manage characteristics that are contradictory and competing together but still vital. Throughout Mencius' selections, we see that water is used to show how the quality of being well-intentioned and kind surpasses the qualities of wickedness. Water and fire are mutually destructive. Water extinguishes the flame, but fire can also evaporate water into nothingness. Mencius uses this natural phenomenon as a metaphorical teaching on how to live life. Mencius said: “Humanity subdues its opposite just as water subdues fire. However, those who practice humanity today do so as if with a glass of water they could save an entire wagon load of fuel that was on fire, and when the flames were not extinguished, they would say that water cannot tame fire. Furthermore, this conduct greatly encourages those who are not human" (Mencius 6,18). This chapter from Mencius also explains how some people try to get through life using the minimum amount of good needed to survive, and how when that small amount of good doesn't work, people give up on doing good for others because they believe it does. it's useless in the end. This is completely contrary to the beliefs of the Taoists. Throughout Daodejing, water is the symbol of natural goodness. Water is essential for all life, but it is not something to control. The Daodejing says that “the highest good is like water. Because water excels in benefiting myriad creatures without competing with them and establishes itself where no one would want to be, it comes closer to the way.” This means that whatever good someone is capable of doing should happen naturally rather than through trying to be good. Taoism respects the value of allowing yourself to be good clearly and simply. They believe that people will do the right thing if they don't allow themselves to think too much about rewards, punishments, consequences, or reputation. This highlights how Confucians and Taoists differ in rewarding improvement of one's character and benevolence in society. In Confucianism and Taoism, water is used as a literary symbol to represent the differences in values ​​their communities upholdin being virtuous. When asked about the practice of humanity, the Master said: “Humanity is more innate in man than water or fire. I have seen men die trampling on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die trampling on the course of humanity" (Dialects 15.35). This demonstrates how Confucians value behavior that displays high moral standards above literally life itself. Water and fire are both essential to the lives of human beings, but virtue is even more philosophically natural to them. Above all, Confucians always feel the need to improve themselves morally. In Taoism, water is used as a metaphor for one's path in life. Water adapts and changes frequently. The idea that water follows the path of least resistance aligns well with Taoist beliefs. Throughout the Zhuang-Zi, water symbolizes a natural obstacle in everyone's life. In chapter 14 of the Zhuang-Zi selections, the Master says “Nothing is as good as a boat for crossing water, nothing is as good as a chariot for crossing land. But even if a boat will carry you on water, if you try to push it on land, you could push it until the day you die and hardly move it any distance. And aren't the past and present like water and land, and aren't the states of Zhou and Lu like a boat and a chariot?” (Zhuang-Zi 14.4). This describes Taoist ideals and how they prefer not to waste time trying to do something that seems unachievable, such as achieving moral perfection. This also demonstrates how Taoists believe that adaptations to customary laws and practices are worse than useless and can actually be extremely destructive to their way of life. Regardless of the effect these changes would have in improving their society as a whole, Taoist communities would prefer to maintain a less efficient value system to remain closer to their natural values. Confucians value improving oneself to improve the entire community. Water as a literary symbol in the readings of the Analects, Mencius, Daodejing, and Zhuang-Zi shows us that Confucian and Taoist communities have different philosophies on how to proceed with life and what values ​​to consider. hold on to that life. While Taoism upholds the ideals of humility and religious piety, Confucianism upholds the ability of human beings to be intelligent and teachable and therefore improveable and perfectible. Taoism emphasizes belief in nature and managing life naturally. This is shown in the Daodejing, where water is praised for being passive yet uncontrollable and necessary. Taoists feel no need to improve themselves because they believe that whatever they do in life should come naturally and instinctively. Confucianism is based on human conduct as opposed to religion and belief in a God or gods. Their communities view self-improvement as a way of life. Confucians understand that if one person is able to achieve more, everyone can achieve more. Social harmony is very important to have a just and virtuous community. Their focus is not on the individual, but on how the individual is part of a larger community of individuals all interacting in a system of well-being. The Taoist's focus is solely on being who you should be, not what anyone else or even your own community would like you to be. Taoism focuses on nature, rather than Confucianism, which primarily focuses on improving society. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Water is an essential ingredient.