Filial Duty, Chapter 9: Government by the Sage

Translation

CHAPTER IX

GOVERNMENT BY THE SAGE

Tsêng Tzŭ asked: “Is filial piety the highest of all the virtues

possessed by a great sage?” To this Confucius replied: “There is

nothing so great in the world as man, and there is nothing so great

in a man as filial piety. The first duty of a son is to venerate his

parent, and in order to show reverence for his dead father he has to

offer him sacrifice when he offers sacrifices to Heaven. A man who had

done this was the Duke of Chou. When he offered sacrifices to Heaven

in a suburban district, he also offered a sacrifice to his deceased

ancestor Hou Chi, and when he offered sacrifice to Heaven at the temple

named Ming Tang, he also made one to his deceased father Wên Wang.

His good action produced such an effect that all the feudal barons at

that time came to assist him in performing the ceremony of offering

sacrifice to Heaven. It is therefore evident that there is nothing so

great in human nature as filial piety. The feeling of affection is

fostered during the time of infancy, and from that affection springs

reverence. Since every man has a natural reverence, the great sages

of the time teach him how and when to show it; and since he has a

natural feeling of affection, they teach him when and how to cultivate

it. As the teachings of these sages are based on the principle of

filial piety, their doctrine is propagated without effort, and their

government is effectual without resorting to force. The affection

between a father and a son is natural, and also a source from which

springs the reverence which a minister ought to show to his sovereign.

When parents have a son born to them, the regular line of descent in

the family is thereby secured. This is the greatest duty in family

life. We must treat our parents with the same reverence as is shown

to our sovereign, because we receive boundless kindness from them and

are under a natural obligation to do so. If any one does not love his

parents, but others, he is a rebel against virtue; and if any one

does not respect his parents, but others, he is also a rebel against

the standard of rites. Any action which is against the law of nature

will certainly not be an example for the public; and any one who gets

a high position, such as that of a ruler, by undue influence instead

of by good actions, will be despised by good men. As to the latter,

they say what they ought to say, and do what they think is good for

the public. Their virtue and justice are estimable, their actions are

worthy of being followed, their behaviour is creditable, and their

manner is correct in every way. If such persons are rulers of a state,

they will afford to the people a good example to follow and will also

inspire them with reverence and affection. This is principally the

cause of their being successful in propagating their doctrines, and

in effectually carrying on their government. Do you not remember what

is said in the Shih Ching?—‘Look at that good man. How correct his

behaviour is!’”

Practical Reading

Serving fellow officials with respect and cooperation fulfills the social dimension of filial duty. You cannot honor your parents in isolation—your conduct toward colleagues and peers is also a reflection on your family.

A practical habit: before speaking critically of a colleague, consider whether you would say it in front of your parents. The standard sounds extreme, but it points to a real question—does your public conduct make your family proud, or do you compartmentalize and act differently in different contexts?