painting
By mj_jabez
@mj_jabez (59)
Philippines
January 10, 2008 11:35pm CST
one of my class requires me to paint according to one of the passages of mencius. he is a chinese philosopher. however im having a hard time interpreting it. can anyone give me some suggestion on how am i going to depict this statement: the great man is one who does not lose his [originally good] child's heart. or this one: to act without understanding and do so habitually without examination, following certain courses all their lives without knowing the principles behind this is the way of the multitude
3 responses
@liowkc (50)
• Singapore
11 Jan 08
Mencius'fundamental tenet is that human nature is good by nature (for example we are born with benevolence).
I would suggest you paint anything with "natural" and "nature" in mind. How about a new born kitten?
@liowkc (50)
• Singapore
22 Jan 08
Mencius believe we are born good; so I think a innocent cute little kitten would fit the bill.
Would be useful if you can read up on Mencius, one of the major school of thought in Chinese philosophy. You may also wish to know that there is an opposing school of thought - we are born evil.
Good luck in your painting.
@gkurt08 (233)
• Philippines
11 Jan 08
The first one refers to forgiveness, I guess. children can forgive a fellow child in a breeze. So you can paint a historical figure or something that represents a great man from the past (alexander, Pter, etc) being playful or helping his enemy.
The second one talks about a mob who is easily convinved by somebody to join a rally or something and joints without thinking what he's got himself into. You could draw a failing people power revolution for this. The the one in the Philippines, the unsuccessful EDSA 3.
@mugwort (77)
• United States
16 Jan 08
In my humble opinion I think the first quote by Menicius regardng a child's heart is to see the world with the wonder of a child and somehow not become or at least, fight from becoming jaded.
The second quote to me, is to keep from doing things simply because its expected of you, but to really think about what you're doing. To see if it feels right to you.
