Ren, The Confucian Ethic

Jacqueline Beier
School of Education


Born of innocence, come from the empty
Pretense of morals, will you see?
Placed in a choice
Right or wrong, time is not lengthy.
Made of light, threaded with darkness
The next move is heavy
Contribute to happiness?
Spead the absence of light?
Gifts to humanity, a smile or kind gesture
This is Ren
The weight of the world lifts and the light spreads
Parental love, a nurturing selfless affection
The gentleman holds the door awaiting your progression,
This is Ren
The teen child who assists the elderly in crossing the street safely
The burden, not so heavy lately
Reach down to remove the rubbish, clearing way for the next
Pave a path for the righteous,
Lead by example for the lost,
Tend to the helpless with no second thought.
This is Ren
The metaphorical hand guided by the virtuous foundation of a content humanity gives hope to the benevolence of a Confucious future.
This is Ren.