The Art of Ruler-Minister Relations: Confucian Wisdom on Loyalty and Etiquette

3·19 (1) The Duke of Ding asked, “How should a minister serve his monarch?” Confucius replied, “The monarch should use etiquette when ordering the minister, and the minister should serve the monarch with loyalty.”

[Notes]

(1) Ding Gong: the ruler of the state of Lu, whose surname was Ji and whose given name was Song. He reigned from 509 to 495 BC.

[Translation]

Lu Ding Gong asked Confucius, “How should a ruler treat his ministers, and how should ministers serve their ruler?” Confucius replied, “The ruler should treat his ministers according to the requirements of propriety, and the ministers should serve their ruler with loyalty.”

[Commentary]

“The ruler commands his ministers according to the rites, and the ministers serve the ruler with loyalty.” This is the main content of Confucius’s etiquette for rulers and ministers. As long as this is done, the ruler and ministers will get along harmoniously. From the linguistic context of this chapter, Confucius still focuses on the requirements for the ruler, emphasizing that the ruler should treat his ministers according to the rites. It is not like later times: even if the ruler is rude, the ministers should be loyal, to the point of developing foolish loyalty that does not ask about right and wrong.

When Lu Ding Gong posed a question to Confucius about the proper conduct between rulers and their ministers, he sought to understand the essence of effective governance and service. His inquiry was straightforward: “How should a ruler treat his ministers, and how should ministers serve their ruler?” Confucius’s response was equally direct: “The ruler should treat his ministers according to the requirements of propriety, and the ministers should serve their ruler with loyalty.”

This exchange underscores a fundamental aspect of Confucian philosophy: the principle of mutual respect and appropriate conduct. According to Confucius, the ruler’s role is to act with propriety, ensuring that commands and interactions with ministers adhere to established norms and rituals. This approach fosters a respectful and orderly environment, where governance is conducted with a sense of decorum.

On the other hand, ministers are expected to respond to the ruler’s conduct with unwavering loyalty. This loyalty is not blind but is based on the ruler’s adherence to proper conduct. Confucius emphasized that loyalty should not be a mere formality but should be grounded in the ruler’s genuine application of propriety.

This principle contrasts sharply with later interpretations of loyalty, where ministers were expected to be loyal regardless of the ruler’s behavior. Confucius’s teaching suggests that loyalty must be earned and maintained through the ruler’s commitment to ethical and respectful behavior.