IS FACE THE SAME AS LI?
51
and li is like saying shame is distinguished by being an external sanction. Face is purely external; whereas li is at least partly internal. Face, as everyone agrees, has exclusively to do with appearance, however important appearance may be. No one can lose face over something which is not discovered or not dragged into public view. When we talk about face it is true that "tis not to leave it undone, but to do it unknown"; actually it goes further; misconduct or shortcomings, even if known, does not impair the face of anybody so long as everybody can pretend to ignore it. This is well understood and pointed out by Agassi and Jarvie. Face answers the earliest definition of shame sanction as an external sanction set into motion by others.4
Li, as advocated in Confucianism on the other hand is supposed to be internalized. Confucius says in various ways, in the Analects, that li which does not issue from true feelings is not real li but only the motions of li. Often the true feeling, or internal state required is yen translated as 'benevolence' or 'human heartedness'. We are told, for example, ‘If a man has not yen, what can (the motions of) li do for him?' 'Lin-fang asked about the essence of li. The Master said, "Important question this! It is truly li to be understated rather than overstated; for example, in a funeral, to be more concerned to have real grief than with ease with the ceremonies."6 Again, in another passage, interpreting a quotation from the Book of Poetry, Confucius agreed that the lesson was 'the putting on of colours comes after the preparation of a flawless ground', and that, in turn, signified that, likewise, li comes after the proper state of mind is attained. Clearly, Confucius means that li is a combination of the proper external motions and the proper internal emotions. When internal emotions of kindness, respect, humility, etc. are disciplined by and manifested through appropriate rituals or in accordance with etiquette, we have li. Even in Hsun Tzu's interpretation of Confucius, which places great emphasis on external discipline, the internal element is far from being ignored. On the contrary, external discipline is proposed as the most effective means to mould internal emotions. Face makes no such pretense at all. In Men Tzu's interpretation, which places overwhelming emphasis on internal cultivation, li is simply the ideal expression of some noble emotion which is already there. The Great Learning, traditionally believed to be written by Confucius' immediate disciple,
IS FACE THE SAME AS LI?
51
and li is like saying shame is distinguished by being an external sanction. Face is purely external; whereas li is at least partly inter- nal. Face, as everyone agrees, has exclusively to do with appearance, however important appearance may be. No one can lose face over something which is not discovered or not dragged into public view. When we talk about face it is true that "tis not to leave it undone, but to do it unknown"; actually it goes further; misconduct or short- comings, even if known, does not impair the face of anybody so long as everybody can pretend to ignore it. This is well understood and pointed out by Agassi and Jarvie. Face answers the earliest definition of shame sanction as an external sanction set into motion by others.4
Li, as advocation in Confucianism on the other hand is supposed to be internalized. Confucius says in various ways, in the Analects, that li which does not issue from true feelings is not real li but only the motions of li. Often the true feeling, or internal state required is yen translated as 'benevolence' or 'human heartedness'. We are told, for example, ‘If a man has not yen, what can (the motions of) li do for him?' 'Lin-fang asked about the essence of li. The Master said, "Important question this! It is truly li to be under- stated rather than overstated; for example, in a funeral, to be more concerned to have real grief than with ease with the ceremonies."6 Again, in another passage, interpreting a quotation from the Book of Poetry, Confucius agreed that the lesson was 'the putting on of colours comes after the preparation of a flawless ground', and that, in turn, signified that, likewise, li comes after the proper state of mind is attained. Clearly, Confucius means that li is a combination of the proper external motions and the proper internal emotions. When internal emotions of kindness, respect, humility, etc. are disciplined by and manifested through appropriate rituals or in accordance with etiquette, we have li. Even in Hsun Tzu's inter- pretation of Confucius, which places great emphasis on external discipline, the internal element is far from being ignored. On the contrary, external discipline is proposed as the most effective means to mould internal emotions. Face makes no such pretense at all. In Men Tzu's interpretation, which places overwhelming emphasis on internal cultivation, li is simply the ideal expression of some noble emotion which is already there. The Great Learning, tradi- tionally believed to be written by Confucius' immediate disciple,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.