The Way of Government

Rectification of names is the most important political proposition of Confucius. You can thoroughly understand the meaning of Confucius' "rectification of names" from the following story:

When Confucius came to Wei three times, a major event happened in Wei. It turns out that Wei Linggong doted on his wife Nanzi and wanted to pass the throne to Nanzi's concubine. Therefore, Kuai Chi, the eldest son, attempted to assassinate Nan Zi to protect his throne. Unfortunately, the murder plan failed, and Duke Linggong of Wei became furious after hearing the news and wanted to kill his son Kuai Chi.

Kuaicai fled to Jin, and Duke Linggong of Wei declared war on Jin. Just when Wei Linggong wanted to ask Confucius about military formations, Confucius said: "The things about Zu Dou are just a matter of trying to learn them. The things of military affairs are not learned yet." The next day, Confucius left Wei with emotion. country. Now that Ling Gong has passed away and Kuai Chi is not in the country, Kuai Chi's son will inherit the throne and serve as a guard official.

However, at this time, Kuai Chi also returned to Weiguo under the escort of the Jin army, and father and son turned against each other to fight for the throne. Confucius looked very sad. One day, Zilu asked Confucius: "If the king of Wei waits for his son to do his political work, will he be the first to show off?" If things don't work, the rituals and music will not flourish. If the rituals and music don't flourish, the punishment will not be adequate. If the punishment is not adequate, the people will be at a loss."

From the above story, we can understand that the purpose of correcting the name is to maintain the relationship. A well-ordered society enables people to follow certain norms and avoid living in an unpredictable state. Many people think that Confucius hoped to restore the rituals and music of the Western Zhou Dynasty, while some people think that he just advocated a new world order in the name of restoration.

For Confucius, trustworthiness is not only a personal virtue, but also a basic political principle. Zigong asked for advice on the key points of government. Confucius said: "If you have enough food and soldiers, the people will trust you." The most important thing is the third point. He said: "Since ancient times, there has been death. If the people have no trust, they will not stand."< /p>

Government by virtue, Confucius believed: "The way is governed by government, and the order is punished, so that the people can avoid it without shame. The way is governed by virtue, the order is treated by etiquette, and there is shame and integrity." Confucius once served as the master of punishment. Great Sikou, how could he not know the immediate effect of severe punishment? However, Confucius deeply felt the social concern that "the people will be shameless if they are spared", so he advocated the use of morality and ethics to educate the people, thoroughly cleanse people's hearts, and inspire people's Good nature is the right way to manage the world and benefit the people!

Confucius (September 28, 551 BC - April 11, 479 BC), surnamed Kong, named Qiu, Zhongni, named Zhongni, was born in Zouyi (now Qufu, Shandong Province) of the state of Lu in the late Spring and Autumn Period. His ancestral home was Liyi (now Xiayi, Henan Province) of the Song Dynasty. He was an ancient Chinese thinker, educator, and founder of the Confucian school. He created a culture of private lectures and advocated benevolence, righteousness, etiquette, wisdom and trustworthiness.

Extended information:

Educational philosophy and teaching reality

There are four items in Confucius’ teaching: literature, conduct, loyalty, and trustworthiness. Wen refers to ancient literature such as poems, books, etiquette, and music; Xing refers to virtue; Loyalty refers to doing one’s best; and Faith refers to honesty without deception. Confucius attached great importance to ancient documents, especially poetry, rituals, and music. He believes that these three knowledges are very important for the development of human character.

"The Analects of Confucius·Taibo": Confucius said: "Prosperous in poetry, established in etiquette, and achieved in music." Poetry can arouse people's desire for good and evil; etiquette can make people advance and retreat appropriately. , and then you can stand in the world; happiness can enable people to develop a perfect personality. By the way, Confucius once praised the Book of Songs like this: "Son, why don't you learn from your husband's poetry! Poems can be exciting, can be observed, can be grouped, and can be complained. Those who are close to you serve your father, those who are far away serve your king. You know more about birds, beasts, grass and trees. Famous."

Confucius was never tired of learning and teaching, making Confucius the "greatest sage teacher" in China. He advocated "teaching without distinction" and had as many as 3,000 students. Judging from the "Analects of Confucius", what he taught his students was only the answers to the daily questions in life and the clarification of the conditions necessary for people to get along with each other. . The way is reasonable and ordinary, easy to know and easy to practice; however, if you use it for yourself, you will cultivate yourself, if you use it for your family, you will have a healthy family, if you use it for the country, you will govern the country, and if you use it for the world, it will be peaceful.

Disadvantages of some thoughts

The core of Confucian thought is benevolence and propriety. A benevolent person loves others and does not do to others what he does not want others to do to him. However, this kind of "benevolence" has levels. . Ritual refers to the Zhou rites, which are items used by people of different levels such as emperor, duke, marquis, uncle, son, male, etc., etiquette and music all have their own methods that cannot be exceeded.

Confucius believed that there was an order between high and low, and there was a distinction between closeness and distance. The relationship between king and minister, father and son, is constant and cannot be broken.

Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-Confucius