Benevolence, justice, propriety, wisdom, trust, forgiveness, loyalty, filial piety and brotherhood. Benevolence and propriety are the main core of Confucianism, which advocates governing the country with virtue, respecting etiquette, and respecting kingship.

However, during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the society was unstable, the princes were divided, and various forces occupied one side.

In that era where the rule of law and rule by inaction were advocated, Confucianism was not in line with the trend and would not be accepted by the monarch. Accepting it was equivalent to accepting the destruction of the country.

Therefore, Confucianism is suitable for times of peace, while Legalism is more prevalent during times of war.

Extended information:

The rise of Confucianism

The Qin Dynasty used Legalism as its ruling ideology, while the Han Dynasty used Taoism before Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. as orthodox thought. After Qin Shihuang burned books and harassed Confucians, and because Chinese characters were still in their infancy and did not have the function of accurate expression, orthodox Confucianism had basically disappeared.

Dong Zhongshu proposed the "unification of the Spring and Autumn Period" and "deposed hundreds of schools of thought and respected Confucianism alone", emphasizing Confucianism as the country's philosophical foundation and eliminating other ideological systems. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty adopted his idea. From then on, Confucianism became orthodox thought, and the study of the Four Books and Five Classics also became a prominent study. At this time, Confucius had been dead for more than three hundred years.

Dong Zhongshu developed the parts of Taoism, Yin-Yangism and Confucianism that were conducive to the rule of feudal emperors in specific policies, forming New Confucianism.

In the process of popularizing Confucianism in the Han Dynasty, many social problems were solved. Confucianism tends to use benevolent governance to manage the country. Politicians use this as a basis to limit excessive concentration of land and establish a complete moral system. Policies including "restricting the name of the people's land to avoid deficiencies" and "three cardinal principles and five constant principles" were proposed.

The feudal state was very powerful during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, which created the prerequisite for the stability of feudal rule. In order to maintain the unified situation, a corresponding ideological system must be established. Dong Zhongshu absorbed elements from Taoism and Legalism that were conducive to monarchical rule, and transformed Confucianism.

The ideas of "divine right of kings" and great unification were added, which was objectively conducive to the strengthening of feudal centralization, the stability of society, and the consolidation of Confucianism. From then on, Confucianism gradually became an important part of feudal society. The dominant orthodoxy. Throughout the past two thousand years, Confucianism has been able to lead the way.

On the one hand, because its ideological core is the philosophical concept of heaven and man, the ethical "Three Guidelines and Five Constant Changes" with "benevolence" as the core, and the political unification proposition, they are fundamentally adapted to feudalism. Factors required for authoritarian rule.

On the other hand, Confucianism has a strong sense of social responsibility and can constantly change its face as the needs of the times change. Pre-Qin Confucianism was not accepted by the rulers at that time and even suffered a devastating blow from Qin Shihuang. This was caused by the theoretical flaws of Pre-Qin Confucianism when it was first founded.

Baidu Encyclopedia--Confucianism