Confucius through the dialogue between Ziqin and Zigong

1.10 Ziqin (1) asked Zi Gong (2): “When the Master (3) arrives in a state (4), he must hear about its politics. Does he seek them out or does he accept them?” Zi Gong said: “The Master is warm, kind, respectful, frugal, and yielding (6) to gain them. Is the Master’s way of seeking different from the way others seek?[Notes]

(1) Ziqin: Chen Kang, courtesy name Ziqin. The commentary on the Analects by Zheng Xuan says that he was a student of Confucius, but the Records of the Grand Historian does not mention him, so it is said that Ziqin was not a student of Confucius.

(2) Zi Gong: His surname was Duanmu, his given name was Ci, his style name was Zi Gong. He was a native of Wei and 31 years younger than Confucius. He was a student of Confucius and was born in 520 BC. Zi Gong was a good speaker and Confucius thought he could be prime minister of a great country. According to the Records of the Grand Historian, Zi Gong became a merchant in Wei and became a famous businessman with a family fortune of 1,000 pieces of gold.

(3) Master: This is an ancient honorific title that anyone who has served as a high official can obtain. Confucius once served as the Minister of Justice of the State of Lu, so his students called him “Master.” Later, this became the way to address teachers. The “Master” in the Analects refers to Confucius’ students addressing him.

(4) State: refers to the warring states of the time.

(5) Yì: a classical Chinese conjunction indicating choice, meaning “or.”

(6) Wen, Liang, Gong, Jian, Rang: Literally, these mean: gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and yielding. These are the praises of Confucius’s disciples.

(7) Qi Zhu: A tone word, meaning “probably” or “perhaps.”

Translation

Zi Qin asked Zi Gong, “When the teacher arrives in a country, he always knows the affairs of the country beforehand. (Does he) seek this qualification himself, or does the ruler of the country give it to him?” Zigong said, “Teacher Wenliang Gongjianrang, so he got such a qualification, (this qualification can also be said to be sought), but his method of seeking may be different from others.”

[Analysis]

This chapter outlines the character of Confucius through the dialogue between Ziqin and Zigong. The reason why Confucius was treated with courtesy and respect by rulers of various countries was that Confucius possessed the moral character of being gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and humble. For example, of these five moral qualities, “yielding” plays a very important role in shaping one’s character. Yielding means putting others before oneself in terms of fame, power and wealth, and putting oneself before others in terms of duties and obligations. Yielding is also an important condition for diplomacy, such as state visits, and is in line with objective needs. It is because of this character that Confucius was treated with courtesy by the rulers of every country he visited. Confucius believed that striving for fame, boasting of one’s achievements, resenting others when one cannot win, and being greedy for fame and fortune are all incompatible with the principle of ren. From this, we can see that the value of ren as a basic principle in forming social customs is that in terms of human relations, if the wind of ren is long, people will learn from others’ strengths and learn from others’ shortcomings. The former can lead people to unity, friendship, and goodness; the latter can tempt people to envy the virtuous and the capable. The social effects of the two are completely opposite.

Confucius, known as “Master” to his students, believed in leading by example. His teachings, encapsulated in the Analects, emphasize five key virtues: gentleness, kindness, respectfulness, frugality, and yielding. These virtues are not just moral ideals but practical guidelines for effective leadership.

Gentleness (Wen): Confucius taught that a gentle leader creates a harmonious environment. Gentleness in leadership fosters open communication and reduces conflicts, leading to a more collaborative and productive workplace.

Kindness (Liang): Kindness builds loyalty and trust. A leader who is kind is more likely to inspire and motivate their team, leading to higher morale and better performance.

Respectfulness (Gong): Respect is the cornerstone of any relationship. In leadership, it means valuing the contributions of others and acknowledging their efforts. Respectful leaders earn the respect of their peers and subordinates, which is crucial for long-term success.

Frugality (Jian): Frugality is not about being cheap but about being wise with resources. A frugal leader makes thoughtful decisions that benefit the organization and its people, ensuring sustainable growth.

Yielding (Rang): Yielding is about humility and putting others before oneself. It involves recognizing the strengths of others and being willing to step back when necessary. This trait is particularly important in diplomacy and negotiations, where mutual respect and understanding are key.

Confucius’s Approach to Leadership

Confucius’s approach to leadership is distinct because it focuses on moral character rather than power or status. He believed that a leader should be a role model, demonstrating the virtues they wish to see in others. This philosophy contrasts sharply with the often aggressive, competitive nature of modern leadership.

Confucius’s method of “seeking” respect and knowledge was through self-cultivation. He did not actively seek out positions of power or favor from rulers. Instead, his reputation for wisdom and integrity naturally attracted the attention and respect of leaders across various states. This principle can be applied to modern leadership by focusing on personal development and ethical behavior rather than political maneuvering or self-promotion.

Application in Modern Leadership

Building Trust and Respect: Modern leaders can learn from Confucius by prioritizing the development of trust and respect within their teams. This involves consistent ethical behavior, transparency, and genuine concern for the well-being of team members.

Cultivating a Positive Culture: By embodying Confucius’s virtues, leaders can cultivate a positive organizational culture. For example, a gentle and kind leader can create a supportive environment that encourages innovation and collaboration.

Sustainable Decision-Making: Frugality in leadership ensures that decisions are made with long-term sustainability in mind. This is particularly relevant in today’s world, where environmental and social responsibility are increasingly important.

Humility and Yielding: Leaders who practice humility and yielding are more likely to foster a collaborative and inclusive workplace. This approach can lead to better problem-solving and more innovative solutions, as it values diverse perspectives and talents.