The Art of Ethical Governance

Confucius said, "One who governs through virtue is like the North Star - it maintains its position while all other stars revolve around it."

 

Confucius said, "The three hundred poems of the Book of Songs can be summarized in one phrase: 'Thoughts without depravity.'"

 

Confucius said, "Governing people through laws and punishments may prevent crimes, but leaves them without shame. Guiding people through virtue and ritual decorum not only teaches them shame but earns their heartfelt compliance."

 

Confucius said, "At fifteen I set my heart on learning; at thirty I stood firm; at forty I had no more doubts; at fifty I understood Heaven's decree; at sixty my ear became attuned; at seventy I could follow my heart's desires without overstepping boundaries."

 

When Meng Yizi asked about filial piety, Confucius replied: "Do not violate ritual propriety." Later, while Fan Chi was driving his carriage, Confucius explained: "Mengsun asked about filial piety. I answered 'No violation.' This means serving parents properly when alive, burying them properly when deceased, and sacrificing to them properly."

 

When Meng Wubo asked about filial piety, Confucius said: "Parents should only need worry about their children's health. That is filial piety."

 

When Ziyou asked about filial piety, Confucius said: "Nowadays filial piety means mere support. But even dogs and horses receive care. Without reverence, how differs parental support from animal maintenance?"

 

When Zixia asked about filial piety, Confucius said: "The difficulty lies in maintaining a pleasant countenance. That parents are served food and tasks is insufficient - is that truly filial?"

 

Confucius said of Yan Hui: "All day he listens like a dullard, yet privately applies my teachings. He is not dull!"

 

Confucius said: "Observe a person's motives, examine the path he follows, and understand what his heart finds rest in. How can such a person remain hidden? How can such a person remain hidden?"

 

Confucius said: "Reviewing old knowledge to gain new insights qualifies one to teach others."

 

Confucius said: "The noble person is not a utensil with single use."

 

When Zigong asked about becoming a noble person, Confucius said: "First act what you would speak, then speak accordingly."

 

Confucius said: "Noble persons unite without colluding; petty persons collude without uniting."

 

Confucius said: "Learning without thinking is labor lost; thinking without learning is perilous."

 

Confucius said: "Attack deviant doctrines, and harms will cease."

 

Confucius told Zilu: "Regarding knowledge - to know you know and know you don't know: this is true wisdom."

 

When Zizhang asked about official service, Confucius advised: "Hear much, reserve doubtful points, speak cautiously - few errors. See much, avoid uncertainties, act prudently - little regret. With few errors and regrets, official position follows naturally."

 

Duke Ai asked: "How make people obedient?" Confucius replied: "Promote the upright over crooked - people obey. Promote crooked over upright - disobedience follows."

 

Ji Kangzi asked: "How make people respectful, loyal, and diligent?" Confucius answered: "Approach them with dignity - respect follows. Honor parents and cherish juniors - loyalty comes. Promote worthy and teach incapable - diligence arises."

 

When asked why he didn't participate in government, Confucius quoted the Book of Documents: "Filial piety and fraternal duty constitute governance. Why speak of 'participating'?"

 

Confucius said: "Without trustworthiness, one achieves nothing - like a cart without yoke-bar or crossbar."

 

When Zizhang asked about foreseeing rituals of future dynasties, Confucius answered: "The Yin modified Xia rituals; Zhou modified Yin's. Even a hundred generations hence, we could foresee Zhou's successors."

 

Confucius said: "Sacrificing to improper spirits is flattery. Failing to act when duty calls is cowardice."

 

The Art of Ethical Governance's Pictures