Confucius on Leadership: Wisdom Over Bravery
7·11 The Master said to Yan Yuan, “When you are used, you go; when you are not used, you hide. (1) You and I are the only ones who have this!” Zilu said, “When you are in command of the three armies (3), who will be with you (4)?” The Master said, “He who, when he sees a tiger, will leap across the river (5) and, when he sees death, will not regret it, I will not be with him. He must be one who is afraid in the face of danger (7) and who plans well and accomplishes his plans.
[Notes]
(1)舍之则藏: 舍, to discard, to not use. 藏, to hide.
(2)夫: a tone word, equivalent to “吧”.
(3)三军: the armies of the great powers of the time, each with about 12,500 men.
(4)与: together.
(5)暴虎: to fight a tiger with bare hands.
(6) Crossing the river without a boat: crossing the river on foot without a boat.
(7) Not being afraid in the face of danger: being cautious and vigilant. Being extremely cautious in the face of danger.
Translation
Confucius said to Yan Yuan, “If you need me, I will go; if you don’t need me, I will hide. Only you and I can do this!” Zilu asked Confucius, “If you were to command the three armies, who would you work with?” Confucius said, “I would not work with someone who would fight a tiger bare-handed, wade across a river on foot, and not regret it even if he died. I would only work with someone who is careful and prudent in the face of danger, and who is good at planning and accomplishing tasks.”
Commentary
In this chapter, Confucius proposes not to work with someone who “fights a tiger bare-handed, wades across a river on foot, and does not regret it even if he dies.” In his view, although such a person is willing to die, he is brave but not resourceful, and cannot accomplish great things. “Bravery” is one of the virtues in Confucius’ moral category, but bravery is not recklessness, but rather ‘being fearful in the face of danger and being good at planning and achieving success.’ Such people have both wisdom and bravery, and conform to the requirements of ‘bravery.’
In a conversation with his disciple Yan Yuan, Confucius states, “If employed, I will serve; if not, I will hide. Only you and I can achieve this!” This statement reflects his readiness to serve when called upon but also his willingness to step back when not needed. Confucius recognizes that knowing when to act and when to withdraw is a crucial aspect of wisdom.
When another disciple, Zilu, inquires, “If you were to lead an army of three divisions, who would you take with you?” Confucius responds with a clear preference for thoughtful and strategic individuals over those who are merely courageous. He explains, “I would not join those who fight tigers barehanded or cross rivers without a boat, risking their lives without regret. I would rather work with those who are cautious in the face of challenges and succeed through careful planning.”
This dialogue highlights a critical distinction in Confucian thought: bravery without wisdom is reckless. Confucius admires courage, but he insists that it must be tempered with prudence and strategic thinking. True bravery, in his view, involves recognizing the risks, planning accordingly, and acting with both courage and caution.
In today’s world, this ancient wisdom is highly relevant. Effective leadership requires more than just bold actions. It demands the ability to assess situations, understand the potential consequences, and make informed decisions. Leaders who embody these qualities are more likely to achieve lasting success and inspire confidence in their followers.
Confucius’ teachings remind us that wisdom and bravery are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they are complementary traits that, when combined, create a powerful foundation for effective leadership. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, embracing this balance can lead to more thoughtful, strategic, and ultimately successful leadership.