Nangong Kuo asked Confucius, “Yi was skilled in archery, and Ao could overturn boats with his strength – yet neither died a natural death. Yu and Ji personally tilled the fields, yet they gained the empire.”
Note
This dialogue uses historical contrasts to powerfully convey the Confucian principle of “valuing virtue over force.”
- Yi and Ao represent figures who relied on physical prowess, skill, or brute power: Yi was a legendary archer; Ao was a mythical strongman and tyrant. Both met violent ends because they abused their abilities without moral restraint – showing that talent or strength alone cannot ensure lasting success or moral legitimacy.
- Yu (the Great Yu, who controlled floods) and Ji (ancestor of the Zhou people, who taught agriculture) exemplify sage-kings who won hearts through virtue, diligence, and service. By working alongside the people and solving real problems, they earned universal support – embodying the Confucian ideal that “virtue aligns with Heaven” and “he who wins the people’s hearts wins the empire.”
Nangong Kuo did not pose a direct question but offered a reflective observation clearly favoring virtuous governance over coercive power. Though Confucius remained silent in the moment, his later praise – calling him a “noble person” (junzi) who “honors virtue” – shows full agreement. This “silent approval followed by high praise” reflects Confucius’s respect for independent moral reasoning and reinforces the Confucian political philosophy: true authority stems from ethical conduct and public benefit, not from military might or cunning strategy.
Further Reading
The Master said, “A person of virtue will surely have meaningful words… A courageous person is not necessarily humane.” Analects 14.4 (Xian Wen)
Both contrast superficial abilities (archery, strength, courage) with inner virtue – emphasizing that moral character surpasses raw talent.
Ji Kangzi asked Confucius about governance: “What if I eliminate the unprincipled to promote the principled?” Confucius replied, “In your governance, why resort to killing? If you desire goodness, the people will be good.” Analects 12.19 (Yan Yuan)
Rejects rule by force or punishment; affirms that moral example (like Yu and Ji’s labor) transforms society – consistent with “gaining the world through virtue.”
南宮适問於孔子曰：「羿善射，奡盪舟，俱不得其死然；禹稷躬稼，而有天下。」夫子不答，南宮适出。子曰：「君子哉若人！尚德哉若人！」
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