Confucius

Location:
Traffic island at the intersection of the Bowery and Division Street
Sculptor:
Liu Shih
Architect:
W.S. Chen (original pedestal); Tieh Chi Ho (renovated pedestal)
Description:
Standing figure (heroic scale) with integral plinth on pedestal; terrace surrounded by sixteen bollards connected by swag chains
Materials:
Figure--bronze; pedestal--concrete faced with variegated green Eastern Taiwan marble; terrace and bollards--variegated Eastern Taiwan green marble
Dimensions:
figure h 8' x diameter 3'8"; plinth h 6½"; pedestal h 8' x w 10' x d 10'; total h 16' (approximate)
Cast:
1976
Dedicated:
1976
Foundry:
Industrial foundry in Hong Kong (?)
Donor:
Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New York City; government of the Republic of China (?)
Inscription:
1) integral plinth
"[foundry mark in Chinese]"

2a) pedestal, east side
"CONFUCIUS
[name in Chinese]
---
[eighteen-column Chinese inscription, followed by a red seal]
---
THE CHAPTER OF GREAT HARMONY (TA TUNG)
BY CONFUCIUS (551-479 B C)
---
WHEN THE GREAT PRINCIPLE PREVAILS THE WORLD IS A COMMON-
WEALTH IN WHICH RULERS ARE SELECTED ACCORDING TO THEIR WIS-
DOM AND ABILITY. MUTUAL CONFIDENCE IS PROMOTED AND GOOD
NEIGHBORLINESS CULTIVATED. HENCE, MEN DO NOT REGARD AS PA-
RENTS ONLY THEIR OWN PARENTS NOR DO THEY TREAT AS CHILDREN
ONLY THEIR OWN CHILDREN. PROVISION IS SECURED FOR THE AGED
TIL DEATH, EMPLOYMENT FOR THE ABLE BODIED AND THE MEANS OF
GROWING UP FOR THE YOUNG.
HELPLESS WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS,
ORPHANS AND THE LONELY, AS WELL AS THE SICK AND THE DISABLED,
ARE WELL CARED FOR. MEN HAVE THEIR RESPECTIVE OCCUPATIONS
AND WOMEN THEIR HOMES. THEY DO NOT LIKE TO SEE WEALTH LYING
IDLE, YET THEY DO NOT KEEP IT FOR THEIR OWN GRATIFICATION
THEY DESPISE INDOLENCE, YET THEY DO NOT USE THEIR ENERGIES
FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT. IN THIS WAY, SELFISH SCHEMINGS ARE REPRESSED, AND ROBBERS, THIEVES AND OTHER LAWLESS MEN NO
LONGER EXIST AND THERE IS NO NEED FOR PEOPLE TO SHUT THEIR OUTER DOORS. THIS IS THE GREAT HARMONY (TA TUNG)."

2b) pedestal, west side
"[one-column Chinese inscription]
---
THE WORLD IS A COMMONWEALTH"

2c) pedestal, south side
"[one-line horizontal Chinese inscription]
---
[twelve-column Chinese inscription]
---
[one-line horizontal Chinese inscription]
---
SEPTEMBER 1983"

2d) pedestal, north side
"[four-line Chinese inscription]
---
PRESENTED TO
THE CITY OF NEW YORK
---
BY
---
THE CHINESE CONSOLIDATED BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION N.Y.C.
ON BEHALF OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY
IN COMMEMORATION OF
THE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
---
1776-1976"