Confucius on Filial Piety: Balancing Personal Goals with Family Responsibilities

This quote is from the book 'The Analects of Confucius' in the chapter 'Li Ren'. Confucius emphasized the importance of filial piety and taking care of one's parents, but he also did not object to going out to pursue one's goals if there was a clear purpose. 'Fang' can mean 'destination' or 'direction', as well as 'method'. The meaning of this quote is that when parents are alive, one should not go far away. If one does, they should ensure that their parents know their destination is safe so as not to worry them. If parents need care, one must arrange for their care before leaving. Confucius was teaching people how to practice filial piety. A filial child's heart must not cause their parents any worry. Whether one travels far or not, they should consider their parents and not neglect them due to proximity or laxity due to travel. Today, with developed transportation, more and more people choose to work or study away from home. Confucius' words remind people to cherish and care for their families, pay attention to their needs and situations, and spend time with them as much as possible while pursuing personal development.