Understanding Ren and Zhi: Insights from Confucius
Fan Zhi asked about benevolence. The Master said, “To love people.” He asked about knowledge. The Master said, “To know people.” Fan Zhi did not understand. The Master said, “To raise the upright and set them right among the crooked (1), so that the crooked may become upright.” Fan Chi went back and said to Zixia, “I asked the Master about knowledge, and he said, ‘If you put upright people in charge of the crooked, the crooked will become upright.’ What does that mean?” Zixia said, “What a wise saying! When Shun had the whole world, he chose from among the people and put Gao Tao in charge. The wicked were far away. When Tang had the whole world, he chose from among the people and put Yi Yin in charge. The wicked were far away.”
[Notes]
(1) “Select the upright and remove the crooked”: crooked, the same as “place,” to place. The word “crooked” is a homophone for “to.” Upright, not crooked, evil. The meaning is to select the upright and remove the crooked.
(2) Xiang: the same as “xiàng,” meaning “toward,” in the past.
(3) Gāo Yáo: the minister in charge of criminal law during the reign of Shun.
(4) Yuan: verb, to move away, to go far away.
(5) Tang: the first king of the Shang Dynasty, whose name was Li.
(6) Yi Yin: Tang’s prime minister, who assisted Tang in destroying Xia and establishing Shang.
Translation:
Fan Chi asked what was meant by benevolence. Confucius said, “To love people.” Fan Chi asked what was meant by wisdom. Confucius said, “To understand people.” Fan Chi still did not understand. Confucius said, “To select the upright and remove the evil, so that the evil can be corrected.” Fan Chi went out and met Zixia and said, “I just saw my teacher and asked him what wisdom was. He said, ‘Selecting upright people and removing evil people, so that the evil can be corrected. What does this mean?’ Zixia said, ‘What a profound statement! When Shun had the world, he selected talents from among the people and selected Gao Tao. When Tang had the world, he selected talent from among the people and selected Yi Yin. Those who were not benevolent were alienated.
Commentary
This chapter discusses two issues: benevolence and wisdom. Regarding benevolence, Confucius’ explanation of Fan Chi seems to be different from elsewhere, saying that it is “loving people.” In fact, Confucius’ explanation of benevolence everywhere is intrinsically linked. The love of people he speaks of contains the spirit of ancient humanism, making benevolence the object and center of all his teachings. As the famous scholar Zhang Qizhi said, Confucianism is the study of benevolence, and benevolence is the discovery of humanity. As for wisdom, Confucius believed that it was about understanding people, selecting the virtuous and removing the evil. However, in history, many virtuous people were not selected and were instead suppressed, while some evil people rose to the top. This shows that it is not easy to be truly wise.
In the teachings of Confucius, the concepts of “Ren” (仁) and “Zhi” (智) hold profound significance, offering timeless wisdom applicable even in today’s world. When asked about Ren, Confucius replied succinctly, “To love others.” This seemingly simple phrase encapsulates a deeper humanistic philosophy that places empathy and compassion at its core.
Similarly, when queried about Zhi, or wisdom, Confucius emphasized the importance of understanding people and the ability to discern between the righteous and the misguided. He articulated, “To select the upright and dismiss the crooked can rectify those who have gone astray.” This principle underscores the necessity of leadership and governance rooted in moral integrity and discernment.
Throughout history, these principles have resonated beyond borders, influencing not only Chinese culture but also global ethical thought. The story of Shun, who chose Gaoyao to administer justice, and Tang, who appointed Yi Yin as his advisor, illustrates how moral leaders can steer societies toward harmony and prosperity by valuing virtue over mere talent.
Despite its ancient origins, the relevance of Confucius’s teachings persists today. They inspire discussions on leadership, ethics, and the human condition, resonating with individuals seeking timeless guidance in an ever-changing world.
This article aims to bridge cultural gaps, offering insights into Chinese philosophical thought while resonating with readers interested in ethical leadership and timeless wisdom.