Gongshu Wenzi recommended his own retainer, Dafu Zhuan, to the ruler, and both were promoted together to serve as high ministers at court. When Confucius heard of this, he said, “He truly deserves the posthumous title ‘Wen’!”
Note
This passage from the Analects of Confucius reflects his deep admiration for the political virtue of “recommending the worthy and yielding to talent.”
As a noble and high-ranking official, Gongshu Wenzi did not let pride or self-interest prevent him from promoting his subordinate. Instead, he actively recommended Zhuan, enabling him to attain equal status. This act transcended personal ego and rigid hierarchy, demonstrating genuine public-mindedness and magnanimity.
In ancient China, “Wen” was a highly esteemed posthumous honorific, typically granted to those who exemplified virtue, ritual refinement, and civil governance. Confucius argues that Gongshu Wenzi’s single act of recommending a subordinate to stand beside him was sufficient to merit this noble title – because it embodied core Confucian values: honoring worthiness, selflessness, and helping others achieve their potential.
The remark also implicitly criticizes the common practice among aristocrats of monopolizing power and suppressing talent. Confucius emphasizes that the true noble person takes pride in elevating others, not in hoarding authority.
Though brief, this anecdote profoundly reveals the Confucian ideal of political ethics: authority is not private property but a public trust; recognizing, recommending, and yielding to talent is among the highest virtues of governance.
Further Reading
Confucius asked Gongming Jia about Gongshu Wenzi… “He takes only what is righteous – so people do not dislike his taking.” Analects 14.13 (Xian Wen)
Both passages portray Gongshu Wenzi as a model of ethical conduct – here through fairness in gain, there through generosity in promotion – showing consistent moral character.
Zhonggong, serving as steward to the Ji family, asked about governance. The Master said, “… promote the worthy and capable.” Analects 13.2 (Zi Lu)
Directly connects good governance with actively identifying and elevating talent – precisely what Gongshu Wenzi did.
公叔文子之臣大夫僎，與文子同升諸公。子聞之曰：「可以為文矣。」
Leave a Reply