The Timeless Wisdom of Confucius: Loyalty and Integrity in Leadership

5-19 Zi Zhang asked, “Zi Wen (1), who had been a magistrate for three years, did not look happy; and when he had been a magistrate for three years, he did not look unhappy. The old Ling Yin’s policy must be told to the new Ling Yin. How?” Zi said: “loyal.” He said, “Is benevolence enough?” He said, “I don’t know. How can I be benevolent?” “Cui Zi (3) regicide (4) qi ruler (5), Chen Ziwen (6) has a horse ten rides, abandoned and violated, to other states, it is said: ‘as if my dafu cui zi also.’ Against it. One of the state, then again said: ‘Judging from my doctor Cui Zi also.’ What is it like to disobey? Zi said: “clear.” He said, “Is Ren enough?” Said: “Unknown, how to get benevolence?”

[Notes

(1) Ling Yin Zi Wen: Ling Yin, the official name of the State of Chu, equivalent to the prime minister. Ziwen was a famous prime minister of Chu.

(2) Three has: three, refers to many times. Already, dismissed.

(3)Cui Wen: Cui loom (音zhù), a great physician of Qi, had killed Duke Zhuang of Qi, which caused great reaction at that time.

(4) regicide: a person of inferior status killed a person of superior status.

(5) Qi Jun: i.e., the Duke Zhuang of Qi, who was killed by Cui Loom.

(6) Chen Wenzi: a great physician of the state of Chen, whose name was Su Wu.

[Translation

Zi Zhang asked Confucius, “How many times has Yin Zi Wen been the prime minister of Chu, and how many times has he been removed from office, and how many times has he not shown his resentment? （He was removed from office several times, but he did not show any resentment. (Whenever he was removed from office, he would tell the new prime minister who came to take over his post all about his political affairs. What do you think of this man?” Confucius said, “He can be regarded as loyal.” Zi Zhang asked, “Can he be considered benevolent?” Confucius said, “I don’t know. How can this be counted as benevolence?” (Zi Zhang asked again:) “Loom Cui killed his sovereign, Duke Zhuang of Qi, and Wenzi Chen’s family had forty horses, all of which he abandoned, and left the state of Qi, and went to another country, where, he said, the ruler here is also similar to our great doctor Cui Zi of Qi, and he left. When he came to another country, he said, “The ruler here is also similar to our Dafu Cui Zi, and he left again. What do you think of this man?” Confucius said, “He can be regarded as a noble man.” Zi Zhang said, “May it be said to be benevolent?” Confucius said, “I don’t know. How can this be considered ren?”

[Commentary

Confucius thought that Yin Ziwen and Chen Wenzi, one of them was loyal to the ruler, which was considered loyal; the other one did not work with rebellious ministers, which was considered noble, but both of them could not be regarded as ren. But neither of them could be regarded as benevolence, because, in Confucius’ view, loyalty was only one aspect of benevolence, while purity was the spirit of martyrdom, which was the dedication of one’s life to the preservation of rites and ceremonies. Therefore, loyalty and purity alone are not enough.

Confucian wisdom has guided Chinese thought and governance for millennia, emphasizing virtues such as loyalty and integrity. This article explores the teachings of Confucius, focusing on the characters of Ziyou and Chen Wenzi, as depicted in a classic passage, and their relevance to modern leadership.

Understanding Loyalty: The Case of Ziyou

Ziyou, a prominent official in the State of Chu, served as Prime Minister multiple times without showing any outward emotion, whether joy at his appointment or resentment at his dismissal. His behavior exemplifies unwavering loyalty. When asked by his disciple Zizhang about Ziyou’s conduct, Confucius affirmed that it demonstrated true loyalty.

In today’s context, Ziyou’s loyalty translates to unwavering dedication to one’s role, irrespective of personal gains or losses. For leaders, this means prioritizing the organization’s goals over personal ambitions. Such dedication ensures stability and trust within the team, as members are assured that their leader is committed to the collective good.

Integrity in Action: The Story of Chen Wenzi

Chen Wenzi’s tale highlights the virtue of integrity. After witnessing the assassination of the Qi ruler by Cui Zhu, Chen Wenzi abandoned his wealth and position, seeking refuge in other states. Upon finding similar corrupt practices in these states, he continued his search for a place of moral integrity. Confucius praised his actions as embodying purity and righteousness.

Modern leaders can draw from Chen Wenzi’s example by maintaining ethical standards, even when it involves personal sacrifice. Integrity involves making difficult choices that align with one’s principles, fostering a culture of honesty and accountability. Leaders who uphold integrity inspire their teams to act ethically, creating a robust organizational culture.

Beyond Loyalty and Integrity: The Pursuit of Ren

While Ziyou’s loyalty and Chen Wenzi’s integrity are commendable, Confucius highlighted that these virtues alone do not constitute Ren (仁), or perfect moral character. Ren encompasses a broader spectrum of virtues, including benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness.

Incorporating Ren in leadership involves balancing various virtues to achieve a harmonious and ethical approach. Leaders should strive for a comprehensive development of character, ensuring that their actions not only adhere to loyalty and integrity but also promote the well-being of others and the organization as a whole.

Applying Confucian Wisdom Today

Confucius’s teachings on loyalty and integrity offer timeless guidance for contemporary leaders. By embodying these virtues, leaders can build trust, foster ethical cultures, and navigate complex moral landscapes. However, the ultimate goal should be the holistic development of Ren, leading to a balanced and virtuous leadership style.