The Ji family was richer than the Duke of Zhou, yet Ran Qiu, one of Confucius’s disciples, helped them amass even more wealth by collecting taxes and enriching them further. Confucius angrily said, “He is no longer my disciple! You young men may beat the drum and openly denounce him.”
Note
This passage from the Analects of Confucius sharply illustrates his unwavering stance on the distinction between righteousness and profit, and his uncompromising demand for moral integrity from his disciples. Wealth itself is not condemned in Confucianism – but its acquisition must conform to righteousness, meaning ethical principles and ritual propriety.
The Ji family, as high ministers of Lu, had already exceeded their rightful status by becoming “richer than the Duke of Zhou,” a figure who embodied virtuous governance within proper hierarchical bounds. For Ran Qiu – a student trained in Confucian ethics – to assist them in extracting wealth from the people was a grave betrayal of the core teaching that “the noble person understands righteousness; the petty person understands profit” (Analects 4.16). Confucius’s declaration “He is no longer my disciple” is not merely disciplinary – it is a moral boundary-drawing: when a follower violates fundamental ethical norms, personal ties cannot excuse complicity. Even more striking is his call for public condemnation – “beat the drum and attack him” – which shows that Confucianism values not only private virtue but also the scholar’s duty to speak out against injustice.
This episode reveals the rigidity of Confucian political ethics: loyalty to the Way (Dao) supersedes personal affection or institutional loyalty. True discipleship demands moral courage, not compliance.
Further Reading
The Master said, “The noble person understands righteousness; the petty person understands profit.” Analects 4.16 (Li Ren)
Directly articulates the ethical dichotomy that underlies Confucius’s condemnation of Ran Qiu’s actions.
Ran You returned late from court. The Master asked, “Why so late?” He replied, “There was government business.” The Master said, “It was merely official business. If there were true state affairs, though I am not employed, I would surely have heard of it.” Analects 13.4 (Zi Lu)
Shows Confucius’s skepticism toward Ran You’s involvement with the Ji family’s de facto rule – foreshadowing the later break over fiscal exploitation.
季氏富於周公，而求也為之聚斂而附益之。子曰：「非吾徒也。小子鳴鼓而攻之，可也。」
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