Chapter Chronology

Quiz for Listening to the Past: The Teachings of Confucius

Select the best answer. Click Submit for each question to turn in your work.

Question

1. What is the primary source of our knowledge of the ideas of Confucius?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is b. Because our primary source about the ideas of Confucius comes from the sayings collected by his followers in the Analects, our knowledge of Confucius’s ideas is largely secondhand.
Incorrect: The answer is b. Because our primary source about the ideas of Confucius comes from the sayings collected by his followers in the Analects, our knowledge of Confucius’s ideas is largely secondhand.
1. What is the primary source of our knowledge of the ideas of Confucius?

Question

2. According to Confucius, which of these described the gentleman?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is d. Confucius saw the true gentleman as someone who was morally and intellectually superior to ordinary people.
Incorrect: The answer is d. Confucius saw the true gentleman as someone who was morally and intellectually superior to ordinary people.
2. According to Confucius, which of these described the gentleman?

Question

3. According to Confucius, what must the gentleman guard against in old age?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is b. In Confucius’s view, as the gentleman grows old and begins to decline, he must guard against envy of those who still have the vigor of youth.
Incorrect: The answer is b. In Confucius’s view, as the gentleman grows old and begins to decline, he must guard against envy of those who still have the vigor of youth.
3. According to Confucius, what must the gentleman guard against in old age?

Question

4. Which of these is essential to true filial piety?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is d. Confucius believed that the filial child did much more than simply support his or her parents. He or she also showed them deep reverence.
Incorrect: The answer is d. Confucius believed that the filial child did much more than simply support his or her parents. He or she also showed them deep reverence.
4. Which of these is essential to true filial piety?

Question

5. Which of these did Confucius believe was most important to good government?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is a. Confucius believed that adequate food supplies, a strong army, and the faith of the people were all important to good government. Of these, however, he believed the faith of the people was most important.
Incorrect: The answer is a. Confucius believed that adequate food supplies, a strong army, and the faith of the people were all important to good government. Of these, however, he believed the faith of the people was most important.
5. Which of these did Confucius believe was most important to good government?