Confucius Defies Political Threats with Divine Virtue
7·23 The Master said, “Heaven has given me virtue. What can Huan Tui (1) do to me?”
[Explanation]
(1) Huan: Huan, pronounced tui, was the military governor of Song, a descendant of the Duke of Song.
[Translation]
Confucius said, “Heaven has bestowed virtue on me. What can Huan do to me?”
[Analysis]
In 492 BC, Confucius was passing through the state of Song on his way from the state of Wei to the state of Chen. Huan heard about this and took his troops to harm Confucius. At that time, Confucius was practicing the Zhou ritual with his disciples under a big tree. Huan Rui cut down the tree and wanted to kill Confucius. Confucius hurriedly left Song with the protection of his students. On the way, he said this sentence. He believed that he was a benevolent person, and heaven had bestowed benevolence on him, so Huan Rui could do nothing about him.
In 492 BCE, Confucius, the renowned Chinese philosopher, encountered a profound moment of political adversity. As he traveled from the state of Wei to the state of Chen, he passed through the state of Song. At this time, a local military official named Huan Tui, who was a descendant of the Song Duke and held significant power, became aware of Confucius’s presence.
Huan Tui, motivated by personal and political animosities, decided to take drastic action against Confucius. He led his troops with the intention of harming the philosopher. At the moment of this imminent threat, Confucius and his disciples were practicing the ceremonial rites under a large tree, reflecting the traditional Zhou rituals that were central to Confucian teachings.
To thwart Confucius’s efforts and eliminate him, Huan Tui ordered the cutting down of the tree under which Confucius was conducting his rites. This aggressive act was not only a direct threat to Confucius’s safety but also a symbolic challenge to his teachings and influence.
As the situation grew increasingly dangerous, Confucius, with his disciples’ assistance, managed to flee from the state of Song. During this escape, he uttered a statement that encapsulated his belief in the divine nature of his moral authority. He said, “Heaven has bestowed virtue upon me; what can Huan Tui do to me?”
This declaration reflected Confucius’s confidence in his divine mandate and moral integrity. He believed that his virtue was a gift from Heaven and that such a gift could not be undermined by earthly powers. His calm and assertive response to the threat demonstrated his unwavering faith in his principles and the righteousness of his cause.
Confucius’s encounter with Huan Tui is not just a historical anecdote but a profound illustration of his philosophy. It highlights his belief that true virtue is divinely ordained and invincible to worldly challenges. This incident emphasizes the core Confucian idea that moral integrity, once bestowed by Heaven, remains unshaken regardless of external pressures or threats.
In essence, this episode reveals how Confucius remained steadfast in his teachings and principles, even in the face of significant danger. His response to Huan Tui underscores his profound faith in the divine legitimacy of his moral and ethical stance, offering a timeless lesson on the power of virtue and the resilience of true righteousness.