Confucius used to carve in the bark of trees by the
roadside. The French were filled with a like impulse when they cut the
words Liberty, Fraternity, Equality, over the entrances to all public
buildings.

Confucius had his symbol of love and friendship painted on a board,
which he stuck into the ground before the tent where he lodged; and
finally it was worked upon a flag by some friends and presented to him,
and became his flag of peace.

His success in keeping down strife among the herders, and making peace
among his people, soon gave him a fame beyond the borders of his own
State. As a judge he had the power to show both parties where they were
wrong, and arranged for them a common meeting-ground.

His qualifications as an arbiter were not, however, limited to his
powers of persuasion--he could shoot an arrow farther and hurl a spear
with more accuracy than any man he ever met. Very naturally there are a
great number of folklore stories concerning his prowess, some of which
make him out a sort of combination Saint George and William Tell, with
the added kingly graces of Alfred the Great. Omitting the incredible, we
are willing to believe that this man had a giant's strength, but was
great enough not to use it like a giant.

We are willing to believe that when attacked by robbers, he engaged them
in conversation and that, seated on the grass, he convinced them they
were in a bad business. Also, he did not later hang them, as did our old
friend Julius Caesar under like conditions.

When twenty-seven he ceased going abroad to hold court and settle
quarrels, but sending for the disputants, they came, and he gave them a
course of lectures in ethics. In a week, by a daily lesson of an hour's
length, they were usually convinced that to quarrel is very foolish,
since it reduces bodily vigor, scatters the mind, and disturbs the
secretions, so the man is the loser in many ways.

This seems to us like a very queer way to hold court, but Confucius
maintained that men should learn to govern their tempers, do equity, and
thus be able to settle their own disputes, and this without violence.
"To fight decides who is the stronger, the younger and the more skilful
in the use of arms, but it does not decide who is right. That is to be
settled by the Heaven in your own heart."

To let the Heaven into your heart, to cultivate a conscience so
sensitive that it can conceive the rights of the other man, is to know
wisdom.

To deci