Q 01/05

What is the closest Chinese catch-all term for Confucianism?

A) Ru

B) Dao

C) Fa

D) Mo

Answer · why

A) Ru

Its modern meanings include 'scholar' or 'refined man'; some scholars prefer 'Ruism' for the tradition.

Q 02/05

Which Confucian virtue is usually translated 'benevolence' or 'humaneness'?

A) Xin

B) Ren

C) Li

D) Yi

Answer · why

B) Ren

Its character combines the signs for 'person' and 'two', pointing to relationships between people.

Q 03/05

The character for ren is a composite of 'person' and which numeral?

A) One

B) Ten

C) Two

D) Three

Answer · why

C) Two

The pairing is read as humaneness expressed between people.

Q 04/05

Which Confucian virtue means 'propriety' or 'rites'?

A) Ren

B) Zhi

C) Yi

D) Li

Answer · why

D) Li

Ren is cultivated through the observance of proper ritual, li.

Q 05/05

Han Confucians grouped ren, yi, li, zhi and xin under what collective name?

A) The Five Constants

B) The Five Relations

C) The Five Rites

D) The Five Phases

Answer · why

A) The Five Constants

They are ren, yi, li, zhi and xin.