Confucius Condemns Student for Aiding Wealthy Exploiter

The Ji family was richer than the Zhou family (1), and Zi Xi helped them to amass (2) and increase (3) their wealth. The Master said, “He is not one of my disciples. You may attack him with drums and cymbals (4).”

[Notes]

(1) The Ji family was richer than the Zhou family: The Ji family was richer than the Zhou family of the Zhou Dynasty.

(2) Amass: to accumulate and collect money, i.e., to exploit.

(3) Increase: to add to.

Translation

The Ji family was richer than the Zhou kings, and Ran Qiu helped him to increase his wealth by collecting taxes. Confucius said, “He is no longer my student. You can attack him with a big fanfare!”

Commentary

In 562 BC, the three families of the state of Lu divided the land of the state and the slaves attached to it among themselves. The Ji family received one third of the land and replaced the exploitation of slaves with feudal exploitation. In 537 BC, the three families divided the land of the state for the second time, and the Ji family received two thirds of the land. The Ji family soon became rich because of the new political and economic measures they implemented. Confucius’ student Ran Qiu helped the Ji family amass wealth and exploit the people, so Confucius was very angry and said he would not recognize Ran Qiu as his student, and he had other students beat drums to denounce Ran Qiu.

In ancient China, the practice of wealth accumulation and its ethical implications were significant concerns. A notable example of this is found in a historical anecdote involving Confucius, one of China’s most revered philosophers. This story sheds light on the relationship between wealth, morality, and social responsibility in Confucian thought.

During the Spring and Autumn period, the Ji family, a prominent clan, had become wealthier than the rulers of the Zhou Dynasty. Their wealth was not simply inherited but was accumulated through various means, including the exploitation of the common people. The Ji family’s financial gains were bolstered by the efforts of Ran Qiu, a student of Confucius, who was complicit in this process.

Confucius, known for his strong moral principles and emphasis on righteousness, was deeply troubled by Ran Qiu’s actions. Despite the fact that Ran Qiu was his student, Confucius publicly disavowed him. He stated that Ran Qiu was no longer worthy of being considered his student and encouraged others to criticize him openly.

The Ji family’s rise to wealth was achieved through two major divisions of the state land, which was a common practice in ancient China. In 562 BC, the land directly controlled by the ruling house of Lu was divided among three powerful families. The Ji family received one-third of the land, and by 537 BC, they managed to acquire an additional half of the remaining land. This increase in land ownership was accompanied by the introduction of exploitative practices that replaced the earlier system of slavery.

Confucius’s disapproval of Ran Qiu’s actions was not just a personal matter but a reflection of his broader ethical stance. To Confucius, the integrity of his teachings and the moral conduct of his students were paramount. Ran Qiu’s involvement in aiding the Ji family’s exploitation contradicted the values Confucius upheld, such as justice, fairness, and concern for the welfare of others.

This episode underscores Confucius’s commitment to moral rectitude and his willingness to distance himself from those who did not uphold these values, regardless of their personal relationship or status. It also highlights the tension between wealth and ethical behavior, a theme that remains relevant in discussions about social justice and ethical practices today.