The Analects of Confucius Lesson Plan

What is renunciation, as referenced in Book VIII, number 1? What is it to be aloof (VIII, 18)? How do you reconcile the lessons in these analects with the advice offered in other passages, emphasizing the importance for a gentleman to “turn one’s merits to account” (XIII, 5), or “by his culture [to collect] friends about him” (XII, 24)? Is there a paradox here? If so, how so? If not, what would you say to someone who does find the advice contradictory?

This question invites students to employ many different tools and to approach it from many different angles (e.g., analyzing the nuance of different vocabulary terms, analyzing content, considering geographical,...