Confucius on Art: The Balance of Beauty and Virtue in Ancient Music and Dance
3·25 The Master said to Shao (1): “It is perfect in beauty (2) and perfect in goodness (3).” He said of Wu (4): “It is perfect in beauty, but not perfect in goodness.”
[Annotation]
(1) Shao: According to legend, it was a kind of music and dance that praised Yu and Shun in ancient times.
(2) Mei: refers to the tone of the music and the form of the dance.
(3) Shan: refers to the ideological content of the music and dance.
(4) Wu: is said to be a kind of music and dance that praises King Wu of Zhou.
Translation
When talking about the music and dance of “Shao,” Confucius said, “The artistic form is beautiful and the content is also very good.” When talking about the music and dance of “Wu,” Confucius said, “The artistic form is beautiful, but the content is a bit poor.”
Commentary
Confucius is talking about the evaluation of art here. He attached great importance to the beauty of the form of art, and even more to the goodness of the content. This is a clear political standard, not just a matter of entertainment.
The Elegance of “Shao”
“Shao” represents an ancient musical and dance form celebrated for its beauty and ideological content. According to Confucius, “Shao” excels both in its artistic form and in its virtuous message. This form of art was designed to honor legendary figures like Yu and Shun, whose virtues and leadership were highly esteemed. For Confucius, “Shao” embodied a harmonious blend of visual grace and moral integrity, making it an exemplary model of art’s potential to inspire and uplift.
The Shortcomings of “Wu”
In contrast, Confucius described “Wu” as aesthetically pleasing but lacking in moral substance. “Wu” was a musical and dance performance dedicated to King Wu of Zhou. Although it was beautiful in form, it fell short in conveying a deeper, ethical message. Confucius’s critique here points to a broader principle: while artistic beauty is valuable, it is the underlying goodness that defines true excellence.
The Philosophical Implication
Confucius’s assessment of “Shao” and “Wu” reveals his belief that art should serve a higher purpose beyond mere entertainment. For him, the value of art lies not only in its ability to captivate and please but also in its capacity to convey moral and ideological content. This perspective reflects a broader philosophical and political standard that places moral virtue at the heart of artistic evaluation.
In essence, Confucius’s reflections on art illustrate his commitment to a holistic view of aesthetics, where the harmony of form and content is essential. By appreciating “Shao” for its beauty and virtue while critiquing “Wu” for its lack of moral depth, he provides a timeless lesson on the integration of artistic and ethical values.