Outward appearances are more important than we think.
Bowing to our elders, letting others go through a door first, standing up to speak to a superior, and many other similar things for which they had more rules in China than we have are considered very important.
All such practices meant something, usually something beautiful.
Such behavior doesn't make people good, but it helps them stay good.
Confucius believed that all people were born honest and good and that deep down they remained so. Anyone seeing a small child playing near the water's edge will worry lest it fall in, he said. Concern for our fellow human beings and sympathy for the misfortunes of others are inborn sentiments.
We need to make sure we do not lose them. That is why we have families. Confucius believed that family is the "root of humanity".
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