Zhonggong, serving as steward to the Ji family, asked Confucius about governance. The Master said, “Set an example for your officials, pardon minor faults, and promote the worthy and capable.”
Zhonggong asked further, “How can I know who is worthy and capable so I can promote them?”
The Master replied, “Promote those you know to be worthy. As for those you don’t yet know—will others really leave them out?”
Note
This passage from the Analects of Confucius outlines a practical and trust-based approach to ethical governance. Confucius emphasizes three core principles: leading by personal example, showing leniency toward minor errors, and actively promoting talent. Together, these create a humane and effective administrative culture.
When Zhonggong (Ran Yong) expresses doubt about identifying the worthy, Confucius offers a pragmatic answer rooted in social trust: start with those you personally recognize as virtuous and competent. But more importantly, he implies that true talent cannot remain hidden forever in a well-ordered society – others will also recognize and recommend such individuals. This reflects Confucius’s confidence in collective moral discernment and the self-correcting nature of a virtuous community. Governance, therefore, is not about omniscience but about integrity, openness, and reliance on shared ethical judgment. The ruler’s role is to create conditions where merit rises naturally, not to micromanage selection alone.
Further Reading
Zilu asked about governance. The Master said, “Lead by example, and then ask the people to work hard.” He asked for more. The Master said, “Never grow weary.” Analects 13.1 (Zi Lu)
Both stress that leadership begins with the ruler’s own conduct (“set an example” / “lead by example”) as the foundation of effective rule.
Fan Chi asked about wisdom. The Master said, “To know people.” … “Raise the upright and place them above the crooked, and the crooked will become upright.” Analects 12.22 (Yan Yuan)
Reinforces that “knowing people” and promoting the upright are central to wise governance—directly linked to “promoting the worthy.”
Duke Ai asked, “What must I do for the people to be obedient?” Confucius replied, “Raise the upright and place them above the crooked, and the people will obey.” Analects 2.19 (Wei Zheng)
Shares the core idea that appointing virtuous people produces public trust and order – complementing “promote the worthy.”
仲弓為季氏宰，問政。子曰：「先有司，赦小過，舉賢才。」曰：「焉知賢才而舉之？」曰：「舉爾所知。爾所不知，人其舍諸？」
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