[Just mindless rambling 8]

 Since its National day today, lets talk about the word 忠（zhong）. Although its commonly translated as "loyalty", the translation only grasp its apparent meaning but not its true meaning. From the structure of the word, we can see that the word 中（center）is on top of the word 心(heart). Thus, we can interpret it as from our heart. Does that mean that it loyalty is from our ...loyal? Partially, yes, but the word meant more towards staying true to oneself, loyal to self. But isn't being loyal to self akin to individualism? How does that connect to the common meaning of loyalty. The answer that we have to proceed further into culture context.

"尽自之谓忠"（The fulfillment of self means loyalty）is how Chinese culture interpret the word "zhong". What does the "self" means in this context? In Confucian ideology, there is no individual. What I meant is this : One cannot exist without the existence of the other. What is the meaning of life if there is only one individual in the world, alone. Self and life is given meaning through connection and relationship with each other as we all different roles to play in different relationship, and thus having different responsibility (I am a father, thus I will have to fulfill the role of the father. I am a son, so I will oblige the duty of a son). Thus, fulfillment of self actually mean the fulfillment of duty. However, modern scholars often misinterpreted it as "absolute obedience" especially the relationship between Kings and subject, Father and Son, Husband and Wife. This is not the case. If the King, father or what so ever did something unjust, it is our duty to stop them. If they are not playing their role properly, we can decide what is the right course of action instead of blindly listening. Menfucian said: "If the kings treat the people as grasses to trample upon, the people will treat him as an enemy." We mostly talks about rights today, but we must always to mindful not use Rights as an excuse to neglect roles and responsibilities.

Hope this is entertaining and informative. And of course, Happy birthday Singapore.