The Timeless Wisdom of Confucius: Harmony and Ritual in Leadership

1.12 Confucius said, “In the use of rites (1), harmony (2) is the most important. The way of the former kings (3) is beautiful. It is used in both small and large matters, but there are some things that are not done. If you know harmony but don’t follow the rules of etiquette (5), it won’t work either.”

[Notes]

(1) Li: In the Spring and Autumn Period, ‘li’ generally referred to the rules and regulations and moral norms of the slave society. Confucius’ ‘li’ refers to both ‘Zhouli’ (the rules and regulations of the Zhou Dynasty) and etiquette and rituals, as well as the moral norms of the people.

(2) He: harmony, harmony, and coordination.

(3) The way of the ancient kings: refers to the way of governance of ancient emperors such as Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, Wen, Wu, and Duke of Zhou.

(4) This: this, this meaning. Here refers to the ritual, also refers to the harmony.

Translation

Yuzi said: “The application of ritual is valued for its harmony. The way of governance of ancient emperors is valuable here. But no matter what, if you only do things according to the harmony, sometimes it won’t work. (This is because) harmony for the sake of harmony, without restraint by the rules of propriety, is also not feasible.

[Commentary]

Harmony is a principle of ethics, politics and society that Confucianism particularly advocates. The Book of Rites: Doctrine of the Mean states, “The undetected expression of joy, anger, sorrow and happiness is called the mean, and the expression of these feelings in moderation is called harmony.” Yang Yufu’s Commentary on the Analects of Confucius states, “Harmony is the moderation of things, not just the expression of joy, anger, sorrow and happiness. Harmony is appropriate, appropriate, and just right. The Confucians believed that harmony was the most important thing in the implementation and application of ritual. However, it is not possible to achieve harmony in everything, or to achieve harmony for the sake of harmony, without being bound by the rules of ritual. This means that while the hierarchical differences prescribed by ritual must be observed, there must be no discord between them. Confucius’s point in this chapter is meaningful. In slave societies, the distinction and opposition between the various levels was very serious, and the boundaries could not be disturbed in the slightest. People in the higher class showed their authority through their own etiquette and rules, while people in the lower class followed orders with fear. However, in the Spring and Autumn Period, this social relationship began to break down, and it was common for subjects to kill their masters and sons to kill their fathers. In response, Zi put forward the idea of “harmony being the most important,” the purpose of which was to ease the opposition between different classes so that they would not break down and to stabilize the social order of the time.

But if we look at this issue from a theoretical perspective, we feel that Confucius not only emphasized the use of ritual to achieve harmony, but also pointed out that harmony should not be pursued for its own sake, and that it should be tempered by ritual.

Confucius taught that rituals (or ‘li’) are essential in maintaining social order and ethical conduct. However, he highlighted that the true value of rituals lies in their harmonious application. Harmony, according to Confucius, means the appropriate, just-right balance that should be achieved in all actions and relationships.

Rituals as Social Norms: In Confucian thought, rituals are more than mere ceremonies. They encompass the rules, regulations, and moral norms that govern society. These rituals ensure that people know their roles and responsibilities, contributing to social stability.

Harmony in Action: Harmony is not merely about peace or lack of conflict. It is about finding the right balance and appropriateness in actions. It means expressing emotions and conducting oneself in a manner that is fitting to the situation, ensuring that societal interactions are smooth and balanced.

The Way of Ancient Kings

Confucius admired the governance of ancient kings like Yao, Shun, and Yu, who exemplified the harmonious application of rituals in their rule. These kings maintained order and stability through a combination of ethical governance and adherence to rituals, ensuring that their leadership was both respected and effective.

Balanced Leadership: The ancient kings understood that while rituals set the framework for behavior and governance, the ultimate goal was to achieve harmony within society. Their leadership style balanced strict adherence to rules with a compassionate and harmonious approach to governance.

Social Order and Harmony: Confucius’s emphasis on harmony aimed to ease the tensions between different social classes. During his time, societal relationships were rigid and hierarchical. By promoting harmony, Confucius sought to create a more cohesive and stable society.

Modern Applications of Confucian Wisdom

Confucius’s teachings on harmony and rituals have significant relevance in today’s world, particularly in leadership and organizational management.

Ethical Leadership: Modern leaders can learn from Confucius the importance of combining rules with harmony. Effective leaders should not only enforce regulations but also strive to create a harmonious environment where team members feel valued and respected.

Balancing Tradition and Innovation: In contemporary society, maintaining a balance between traditional values and modern innovations is crucial. Just as Confucius advocated for harmony tempered by rituals, modern societies should honor cultural traditions while embracing new ideas and technologies.

Conflict Resolution: Confucian harmony can be a guiding principle in resolving conflicts. By focusing on finding the appropriate balance and understanding the perspectives of all parties involved, conflicts can be resolved in a manner that maintains social harmony.