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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Way of Virtue, April 14, 2002
James Vollbracht offers a selection of the teachings of Confucius in The Way of Virtue: An Ancient Remedy to Heal the Modern Soul. Vollbracht says that Confucius was "one of the most remarkable individuals to walk this earth." Reducing the philosophy of Confucius to clever fortune-cookie type of sayings is a serious loss of wisdom. Vollbracht, a leadership and personal development trainer, says that the teachings of Confucius, "when examined seriously, are recognized as profound expressions of the human spirit. The universality of his message, when understood in the context of his lessons, can yield infinite satisfaction, both personal and national, to those who endeavor to follow his path." Confucius lived and taught in China more than 2500 years ago, during a time of repressive political regimes, heavy taxation, and near-rebellion from the masses. He believed that virtue was "the most powerful force in the universe." If people acquired virtue, then they could reform their families, their communities, their nation, and eventually the world. Confucius taught "that whoever wished to change society should look within, to the personal acquisition of virtue." Vollbracht starts each lesson with brief background information, which leads to a question from a student. Confucius then answers the question. Often his answers lead to further questions from the student. Lessons include discourses on the power of the individual to change the world, how to live a virtuous daily life and follow the path of virtue, the power of music, and self-discovery. Each lesson is accompanied with drawings taken from ancient art depicting the life of Confucius. Vollbracht ends with the observation that the teachings of Confucius "affirm that all men and women are created equal and that by cultivating virtue within the soul, each and every person can make a profound contribution to the world." The Way of Virtue is an excellent resource for all those interested in cultivating the virtue within them.
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