GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
The Master said: In ruling a country of a thousand chariots there should be scrupulous attention to business, honesty, economy, charity, and employment of the people at the proper season.
A virtuous ruler is like the Pole-star, which keeps its place, while all the other stars do homage to it.
People despotically governed and kept in order by punishments may avoid infraction of the law, but they will lose their moral sense. People virtuously governed and kept in order by the inner law of self-control will retain their moral sense, and moreover become good.
Duke Ai[1] asked, saying: What must I do that my people may be contented?—Confucius replied: Promote the upright and dismiss all evil-doers, and the people will be contented. Pro
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- ↑ Ai was the honorary epithet of the Duke of Lu who was reigning during the last years of Confucius' life.
