Confucius on Leadership: A Study of Governance and Virtue
Zilu, Zeng Xi (1), Ran You, and Gongxi Hua were sitting. The Master said, “I am older than you by one day, so don’t treat me as if I were younger than you. If you say, ‘I don’t know,’ then I will say, ‘You don’t know me either!’ If you know me, then what can you do?” Zilu answered, “If you give me a country with a population of a thousand chariots, and I am placed between two great powers, and if I am attacked by them with an army and starve my people, then I will be able to make them brave and wise in three years.” The Master smiled and said, “What about you, Qiu? He said, “If I were to do it, I could make the people strong enough to fight in three years. If I were to do it, I could make the people strong enough to fight in three years. If I were to do it, I could make the people strong enough to fight in three years. If I were to do it, I could make the people strong enough to fight in three years. If I were to do it, I could make the people strong enough to fight in three years. If I were to do it, I could make the people strong enough to fight in three years. If I were to do it, I could make the people strong enough to fight in three years. If I were to do it, I could make the people strong enough to fight in three years. If I were to do it, I could make the people strong enough to fight in three years. If I were to do it, I could make the people strong enough to fight in three years. If I were to do it, I could make the people strong enough to fight in three years. If I were to do it, I could make He played the zither with great care (16), and when he had finished, he put it down and said, “It is different from the writings of the three disciples.” The Master said, “What is the harm? They each expressed their own wishes.” He said, “In the spring, when the spring clothes are ready, five or six men wear hats (19), six or seven boys, bathe in the Yi (20), dance in the wind (21), and return singing.” The Master sighed and said, “I am like you.” The three disciples came out, followed by Zeng Zi. Zeng Zi said, “What do you think of the three disciples’ words?” The Master said, “They are just expressing their own aspirations.” Zeng Zi said, “Why do you laugh at Zeng Zi?” The Master said, “To govern a country, one must be courteous. They did not yield to each other, so I laughed at them.” Is it only when you seek the right that you are not a member of the clan? “How can I see a square of sixty or seventy li that is not a state? “How can I see a red one that is not a state? ‘When the ancestral temple is in session, who is not a prince? The red one is small, who can make it big? ’
[Notes]
(1) Zeng Zi: Zeng Zi, the father of Zeng Shen, was also a student of Confucius.
(2) Although I am a little older than you, I dare not speak.
(3)居: ordinary days.
(4)则何以哉: “What then?”, i.e. “What is the use of this?”.
(5)率尔: rashly, hastily.
(6)摄: forced, caught between.
(7)比及: “bì” (to wait until).
(8)方: direction.
(9)哂: smile mockingly.
(10)方六七十: 60-70 li in each direction.
(11) Ru: or.
(12) Zongmiao zhi shi: refers to sacrificial rites.
(13) Huidong: meeting of the princes.
(14) Rui Zhangfu: a formal dress. Zhangfu, a hat.
(15) Xiang: the person who presides over the ceremony.
(16) Xi: the same as “xi”, refers to the slow down of the pace of playing the zither.
(17) Zuo: to stand up.
(18) Mo: same as “Mo.”
(19) Guan zhe: adult. In ancient times, when a young man reached the age of 20, he would have a ceremony to mark his coming of age.
(20) Yu hu yi: Yi, a river in Shandong, flowing into the sea through northern Jiangsu. The ceremony was held by the river, where the participants washed their faces and hands.
(21) Wu yu: Wu, a place name, originally a place for worshiping the gods to pray for rain, in Qufu, Shandong.
(22)唯: a word-initial particle with no meaning.
Translation
Zilu, Zengxi, Ran You, and Gongxi Hua were sitting with Confucius. Confucius said, “I am a little older than you, so don’t be afraid to speak up. You always say, ‘No one understands me!’ But if someone does understand you, what will you do?” Zilu hurriedly replied, “A country with a thousand chariots, sandwiched between two great powers, is often invaded by other countries. If I were to govern it, in just three years I could make the people brave and good at fighting, and also know how to behave.” Confucius smiled. Confucius then asked, “Ran Qiu, what about you?” Ran Qiu replied, “A country with a territory of sixty or seventy li, or fifty or sixty li, let me go and govern it. In three years, I can make the people warm and full. As for the country’s music and education, it will be up to the gentlemen to implement them.” Confucius asked again, ‘Gongxi Chi, what about you?’ Gongxi Chi replied, ‘I dare not say that I can do it, but I am willing to learn. During ancestral worship activities or at alliances with other countries, I am willing to wear a ceremonial hat and dress to be a small ceremonial person.’ Confucius asked again, ”Zeng Dian, what about you?” At this point, Zeng Dian’s playing of the zither gradually slowed down, and then with a “keng” sound, he stood up from the zither and replied, “I think differently from the three of them.” Confucius said, “What does it matter? It’s just that each person speaks of his own aspirations.” Zeng Xie said, “In the third month of spring, I had already put on my spring clothes. I went with five or six adults and six or seven teenagers to take a bath in the Yi River, to enjoy the breeze on the Wuyu platform, and to sing all the way back.” Confucius sighed and said, “I agree with Zeng Xi’s idea.” Zilu, Ran You, and Gongxi Hua all left, and Zeng Xi followed. He asked Confucius, “What do you think of what they said?” Confucius said, “They were just talking about their aspirations.” Zeng Xi said, “Why did you laugh at Zhong You?” Confucius said, “Ruling a country requires courtesy and politeness, but he didn’t speak with the slightest bit of courtesy, so I laughed at him.” Zeng Xi asked again, “Then isn’t what Ran Qiu said about governing the country not true?” Confucius said, “How can you see that a place 60 or 70 li square or 50 or 60 li square is not a country?” Zeng Xi asked again, “Isn’t what Gong Xi Chi said about governing the country true?” Confucius said, “The ancestral temple sacrifices and the meeting of the princes, isn’t this the business of the princes? If someone like Chi can only be a small minister, then who can be a big minister?”
[Commentary]
Confucius believed that the first three people’s methods of governing the country did not address the fundamental issues. The reason why he only appreciated Zeng Dian’s ideas was because Zeng Dian used an image to depict the scene under the rule of music and ritual, which embodied the principles of “benevolence” and “propriety” in governing the country, which addressed the fundamental issues. In this chapter, Confucius and his students described their political aspirations, from which we can see Confucius’ political ideals.
In a timeless discourse on leadership, Confucius engages with his disciples—Zi Lu, Zeng Xi, Ran You, and Gong Xi Hua—on the essence of effective governance. The conversation reveals Confucius’s views on leadership, virtue, and the true qualities of a ruler.
Confucius begins by highlighting his own experience, suggesting that although he is older, he does not impose his wisdom upon his students. He challenges them with a question: if someone truly understood their abilities, how would they approach governance?
Zi Lu, known for his boldness, responds with confidence. He proposes that even a small, troubled state caught between powerful nations, facing internal strife and famine, could be transformed into a courageous and capable society within three years, provided it has effective leadership and discipline. Confucius, however, only smiles at Zi Lu’s ambitious claim.
Ran You takes a more modest approach. He suggests that he could manage a state of moderate size, ensuring the people’s well-being and relying on the guidance of gentlemen to uphold the cultural and ceremonial practices. Confucius’s response indicates a recognition of Ran You’s practical approach but does not show the same enthusiasm.
Gong Xi Hua’s response is notably different. He expresses a desire to learn and participate in ceremonial duties rather than govern. He mentions his willingness to act as a small ceremonial officer in religious rites and alliances, showcasing a deep respect for traditional practices and a readiness to contribute modestly.
The final disciple, Zeng Xi, contrasts sharply with the others. He shares a personal vision of enjoying the simplicity and beauty of life, such as bathing in the Yi River and participating in traditional ceremonies, rather than engaging in the complex responsibilities of statecraft. Confucius expresses his approval of Zeng Xi’s vision, appreciating its alignment with a life of virtue and simplicity.
As the discussion concludes, Confucius reflects on each disciple’s approach. He explains to Zeng Xi that their varying responses are simply expressions of their individual aspirations. Confucius criticizes Zi Lu’s lack of humility, emphasizing that effective governance requires a foundation of礼 (li), or propriety, and a sense of humility.
Zeng Xi’s view is praised for its alignment with the Confucian ideals of virtue and simplicity. Confucius’s remarks suggest that true leadership is not just about managing a state but also about embodying virtues that reflect harmony and respect for traditions.