Jen

Jen is one of the six of Confucius's ethical and moral teachings. It is the value of benevolence, humaneness towards others, and kindness. Jen is seen as the highest of Confucian virtues. The first principle of Confucianism is to act according to jen because it is the ultimate guide for humans.

Confucius himself had never sen jen fully expressed, but it is said that all other virtues follow from it.

Jen Characteristics (Confucian)

1. Jen is dearer than life itself. Men who follow jen sacrifice their lives to preserve it, and in turn it makes life worth living (an example of opposites balancing!)

2. Jen is the feeling of humanity towards others and self-esteem for yourself.

3. Jen is the foundation of all human relationships.

4. Jen can be obtained because there is the belief in the natural perfectibility of man, so men who follow jen reject the idea of satisfying likes and avoiding dislikes.

Jen Characteristics (Mencius)

1. Jen was: humaneness, humanity, benevolence, and the concept of righteousness and duty.

2. One displayed jen to a person based on:

a person's position (and your own) and the obligations you owe to him.
the fact that we have obligations to people because of social relations and social organization, not because there is some divine law forcing us to do so.