Last, Tao's principals state that all things contain and inherent power or strength that comes from their own essential being or true inner nature. .
Like Tao, Confucianism is a code of conduct in which you must live your life. It is believed that if you are good, God will love you, just like Tao principals. Confucianism is formalistic and an anti-mystical religion. Confucianism is humanism, a philosophy or attitude that is concerned with human beings, their achievements and interests, rather than with the abstract beings and problems of theology. You are to always respect your family, neighbors and society. It is a set of accepted values and norms of behavior in primary social institutions. Human relationships involved a set of defined roles and mutual obligations. The other side lies on the need for humanness. They focus on love and kindness in all virtues. They have a "outer and an inner side" which coincide with one another. The "inner side" was to treat others with love, respect and consideration for all needs. The "outer" was conformity and acceptance of social roles. Man is the center of the universe living with and for other humans, not just alone. The ultimate goal is individual happiness. Confucius' ideas about morality were not abstract, but pragmatic, which meant morality was not determined by absolutes as much as it was by circumstances and relationships. The basic relationship a person had in society determined or defined moral action. The goal was to ensure a person performed his key roles and obligations well. All the relationships were between a superior and inferior. Depending on where one stood, a person needed to learn proper behavior for one's role. Confucius taught established authorities should be respected. A son should obey his father and uphold his family. A younger brother should obey his older brother for the same reason. So, too, wives, must obey their husbands; subjects, their rulers, and even a younger friend, his elder friend or patron.
