The Master said, “When confronted with an act of humaneness, do not yield even to your teacher.”
Note
Though brief, this saying from the Analects – Lunyu expresses a crucial Confucian ethical principle: in matters of righteousness, all are equal; commitment to moral truth supersedes deference to authority.
“Do not yield even to your teacher” does not reject respect for teachers – Confucius himself deeply valued mentorship (e.g., “Among any three people, there is surely someone I can learn from”). But when humaneness(moral rightness or a just cause) presents itself, one must step forward and act, even if it means not deferring to one’s most revered teacher.
This reflects the Confucian ideal of “serving teacher or ruler through the Way”: true respect is not blind obedience, but upholding righteousness in critical moments. If a teacher errs or fails to act when humaneness demands action, the student has a duty to act – even to correct the teacher.
The statement challenges rigid notions of unquestioning submission, emphasizing moral agency and independent judgment. Ren is an inner moral imperative; once recognized, it demands immediate action without hesitation or polite yielding.
In education, it encourages students to cultivate courage and responsibility in the face of truth, rather than passive compliance. This idea laid the groundwork for later Confucian traditions of “following the Way, not the ruler” and morally remonstrating with those in power.
Today, this teaching remains profoundly relevant: in matters of justice, public good, and conscience, one should not stay silent or step back merely because the other party holds higher status or seniority. True respect lies in jointly upholding higher values.
In short, Confucius teaches: Humaneness is supreme; when righteousness calls, even a teacher must not be yielded to. To honor a teacher without blind obedience – that is genuine reverence.
Further Reading
The Master said, “When walking with three others, there is always someone I can take as my teacher: I follow their good qualities and correct their bad ones in myself.” Analects 7.22 (Shu Er)
Both affirm that learning and moral judgment require discernment – not blind acceptance of authority.
Zilu asked about serving a ruler. The Master said, “Do not deceive him; dare to remonstrate with him.” Analects 14.22 (Xian Wen)
Emphasizes that loyalty includes moral courage to challenge superiors when necessary – parallel to challenging a teacher for the sake of Humaneness.
子曰：「當仁不讓於師。」
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