The Ethical Standards of Confucian Gentlemen: Mencius’ Political Philosophy

Translation:

Mencius’ Dialogue on Ethical Conduct

Wanzhang asked, “Pardon my boldness, but what is the rationale for not seeking an audience with the feudal lords?”

Mencius replied, “Those living in the city are called commoners, while those residing in the countryside are referred to as rural citizens; both are considered ordinary people. Ordinary people do not have the essential attributes to be officials and thus do not dare to seek an audience with the feudal lords. This is a societal norm.”

Wanzhang inquired further, “If a commoner is summoned for service, he goes. If a ruler wishes to see him and summons him, why would he not go?”

Mencius answered, “Responding to a call for service is the correct behavior; going to see the feudal lords is not the correct behavior. Moreover, why would a ruler want to see this person?”

Wanzhang said, “It is because this person is knowledgeable and virtuous.”

Mencius responded, “If he is summoned because of his knowledge, even the Emperor does not summon his teacher, let alone the feudal lords. If he is summoned for his virtue, I have never heard of a virtuous person being summoned to appear. Duke Mu of Lu repeatedly summoned Zisi, saying, ‘What do you think of the ancient practice of mutual assistance among states with a thousand chariots to deal with scholars?’ Zisi was displeased and said, ‘The ancients said: To serve is to serve, how can it be called mutual assistance?’ Zisi’s displeasure meant that in terms of status, you are a ruler and I am a subject; how dare I talk about mutual assistance with you? In terms of morality, you seek my teaching; how can it be mutual assistance? The ruler of a state with a thousand chariots cannot talk about mutual assistance, let alone summoning!”

Mencius continued, “In the past, when Duke Jing of Qi was hunting, he used a banner to summon an official managing the park, who did not come, so he wanted to kill him. ‘A man of ambition will not forget his situation in the ditch, a man of courage will not forget to shed his blood.’ What would Confucius choose? He would choose not to go if not summoned appropriately.”

Wanzhang asked, “Pardon my boldness, but what is the proper way to summon an official managing the park?”

Mencius replied, “With a leather cap. Summoning commoners is done with a brocade banner, summoning scholars with a banner adorned with dragons and bells, summoning officials with a banner decorated with yak tails or five-colored feathers. If you use the method for summoning officials to summon a park manager, the park manager would rather die than go; if you use the method for summoning scholars to summon commoners, how dare they go? Moreover, if you use the method for summoning the unvirtuous to summon the virtuous, how can they go? Wanting to see a virtuous person but not following the proper way is like asking someone to come in while keeping the door closed. The so-called proper way is the path; the so-called norm is the door. Only gentlemen can walk this path and enter this door. As the Book of Songs says: ‘The path promoted by the Zhou dynasty is as solid as a foundation, straight like an arrow. The path walked by gentlemen is one that the petty must follow.'”

Wanzhang asked, “When Confucius heard a ruler’s summons, he set off before his carriage was ready. Was Confucius wrong?”

Mencius said, “Confucius was an official, summoned in the manner appropriate for officials.”

Analysis:

This excerpt is from “Mencius • Wanzhang II,” where Mencius responds to Wanzhang’s questions. Through Mencius’ discourse, the text delves into the distinctions between the identities of gentlemen and commoners, as well as the appropriate conduct of gentlemen regarding orders from rulers, thereby elucidating Mencius’ political and ethical philosophy.

Firstly, Mencius clarifies the distinction between gentlemen and commoners through the statement, “Those living in the city are called commoners, those residing in the countryside are rural citizens; both are considered ordinary people. Ordinary people do not have the essential attributes to be officials and thus do not dare to seek an audience with the feudal lords. This is a societal norm.” Here, “ordinary people” refers to common folks, while “gentlemen” denotes individuals of virtue and learning. Mencius believes that commoners should not casually meet with feudal lords, as it is prescribed by propriety. This reflects Mencius’ respect and adherence to social order and hierarchy.

Mencius further elaborates on the conduct of gentlemen in response to Wanzhang’s question, “If a commoner is summoned for service, he goes. If a ruler wishes to see him and summons him, why would he not go?” Mencius argues that while it is obligatory for a gentleman to respond to a call for service, meeting the ruler is not a duty. This is because a gentleman’s actions should be guided by moral principles, not the ruler’s commands. This illustrates Mencius’ political and ethical thought: gentlemen should base their actions on virtue, not merely on the ruler’s orders.

To further elucidate this viewpoint, Mencius cites the examples of Zisi refusing Duke Mu of Lu and the park manager refusing Duke Jing of Qi. These examples demonstrate the principle of rejecting the ruler’s commands based on propriety, highlighting Mencius’ concept of “propriety.” The park manager’s refusal to go because Duke Jing summoned him as an official, shows that even though the ruler’s order was given, if it did not conform to “propriety,” it could be rejected.

Finally, Mencius quotes the Book of Songs to emphasize his point that gentlemen should follow moral principles, “The path promoted by the Zhou dynasty is as solid as a foundation, straight like an arrow. The path walked by gentlemen is one that the petty must follow.” This means that gentlemen should adhere to moral principles and propriety as their guidelines, thus embodying true gentlemanly conduct.

In conclusion, this passage vividly showcases Mencius’ political and ethical philosophy, setting high standards for the conduct of gentlemen. Through dialogue and examples, these profound thoughts are presented in a lively and concrete manner, offering deep insights and inspiration.