The philosophy of Confucius provides a profound lens through which we can examine the ethics and morals governing the relationship between Paul Baumer and Stanislaus Katczinsky in Erich Maria Remarque’s masterpiece, All Quiet on the Western Front. Confucius, a revered Chinese philosopher, emphasized the cultivation of virtue and moral behavior, stressing the significance of respect, social harmony, education and guidance, and selflessness. These very values find resonance in the relationship between Paul and Kat, who, even amid the chaos of war, are bound together by a strong moral code.

One of Confucius’ most famous teachings is the Golden Rule, which states, “Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.” This principle is echoed in the behavior of Paul and Kat, who demonstrate a deep respect for each other and their fellow soldiers. As Paul reflects, “We have become wild beasts. We do not fight, we defend ourselves against annihilation. It is not against men that we fling our bombs, what do we know of men in this moment when Death is hunting us down – now, for the first time in three days we can see his face, now for the first time in three days we can oppose him; we feel a mad anger. No longer do we lie helpless, waiting on the scaffold, we can destroy and kill, to save ourselves, to save ourselves and to be revenged.” Despite the brutality of war, they maintain a sense of dignity and compassion towards each other and their comrades. Throughout the novel, Paul describes his deep appreciation and admiration for Kat as being “a more complete communion with one another than even lovers have” (Remarque 94). Especially due to Kat’s natural leadership in the group, and the evolution into a father figure for them, an exceedingly high degree of respect for Kat has developed in Paul.

Confucius, renowned for his teachings on social harmony, emphasized its vital significance for the overall well-being of society. This concept finds resonance in Erich Maria Remarque’s novel, “All Quiet on the Western Front,” where the soldiers exist as integral members of a larger community, their actions reverberating through the collective whole. Their experiences are poignantly captured in Paul’s introspective reflection, revealing the devastating impact of war on the young soldiers. He laments, “We are a wasteland. If anything at all moves, it is immediately shot down. We are stretching out our hands to you, but you have only to show us your fist. We are defenseless and without work. Are we to be forever beggars? All the older men are in the army; we are the ones who are left. And why? Because we are young and delicate. They would not have the women suffer, but they say we are like animals, cattle. Our feelings are just crude instincts. Our hands are not yet able to work, we have not the cunning to get food. Why do they treat us like this? What have we done to deserve it?” They are guided by a strong moral code that prioritizes the well-being of their comrades, even at the cost of their own lives. Paul’s anguish and frustration reflect the dehumanizing nature of war and its detrimental effects on the soldiers’ sense of self-worth and societal integration. They are caught in a bleak and desolate reality, where every movement carries the risk of sudden death. Their desperate appeal for understanding and support from those back home goes unanswered, met only with hostility and indifference. The soldiers, stripped of their agency and reduced to mere objects of war, face a profound existential crisis.

For Paul, Kat would be the counsel and guidance that kept him grounded to Earth during times of mental and tangible crisis, which seems to be all of the time during the war. Confucius emphasized the importance of education and the role of the teacher in imparting knowledge and values to their students. He believed that the teacher should serve as a role model for their students, demonstrating moral behavior and guiding them towards virtuous action. This is reflected in the relationship between Paul and Kat, where Kat serves as a mentor and guide to Paul, teaching him the skills he needs to survive and modeling virtuous behavior in their interactions with each other and with their fellow soldiers. As Kat tells Paul, “If you had been in the barracks today, you would have known what it was like. There are such days when a man becomes like an animal, with only one aim and one desire–to kill–to kill–to kill! Be glad you were not there today. You would have had to learn otherwise.” Confucius states, “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home,” highlighting the importance of mentorship and the role of the home as the foundation for society.

Confucius also emphasized the importance of balancing individual desires with the needs of the larger society. In All Quiet on the Western Front, Paul and Kat’s cooperation extends beyond their individual needs and encompasses the well-being of their comrades. Paul says, “We are a tiny cog in a great driving machine… I would have to become a beast of prey to snatch off a piece of meat, and my prey would be my comrades. I could never forget that.” Here, Paul is acknowledging that he must prioritize the needs of his comrades over his own individual desires. This selflessness exemplifies Confucius’s teaching: “When a person goes abroad, his speech should be limited to his real knowledge, and he should not speak lightly about things for which he has no basis” (Confucius, The Analects). Paul and Kat embody this principle by offering practical assistance and support to their fellow soldiers, fostering an atmosphere of cooperation and unity among the group.

In conclusion, All Quiet on the Western Front provides a powerful illustration of the principles and values espoused by Confucius in The Analects. The relationship between Paul and Kat demonstrates the importance of cultivating virtue, respecting others, and working toward social harmony. The soldiers in the novel are willing to sacrifice their individual desires for the greater good, and their commitment to each other and to their cause provides a powerful example of the kind of moral behavior that is essential for building a just and harmonious society. As Confucius himself said, “It does not matter how tall you are, but how well you stand tall.” The soldiers in All Quiet on the Western Front stand tall in their commitment to their moral values, and their example serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of ethical behavior and social harmony.