Filial Duty, Chapter 17: Serving the Sovereign

Translation

CHAPTER XVII

SERVING THE SOVEREIGN

Confucius said: “A good man always endeavours, while he is in the

service of his sovereign, to express the utmost loyalty during

audience with his August Master, and thinks at his leisure how to

repair any wrong his August Master may have done. He will carry out

any praiseworthy schemes projected by his master, and will correct

any fault which he may commit. In this way a great affection will be

fostered between them.

“Thus in the Shih Ching it is written: ‘Although the minister may be

far away from his master, yet his affection will not be affected by the

distance. He is so attached to him that he thinks of him every day.’”

Practical Reading

The transformation of the people through filial example demonstrates the moral power of virtuous leadership. The chapter describes a form of influence that is quiet, non-coercive, and ultimately more effective than force.

In any leadership context—formal or informal—consider what people are learning from your example rather than from your words. The text suggests that people imitate what they see consistently practiced, not what they hear occasionally preached. If you want to influence others, begin by examining whether you are living the standard you hope to see in them.