by Han Fei
Duke Ping of Jin was drinking with his officials. When he was thoroughly drunk and merry, he sighed and said:
“Nothing is more joyful than being a ruler — no one dares to disobey a single word of mine!”
Music Master Kuang was sitting in attendance. He seized his zither and struck at the duke.
The duke pulled aside his robe and dodged; the zither shattered against the wall.
The duke said:”Master, whom were you striking?”
Master Kuang replied:”Just now a vile man was speaking beside me, so I struck him.”
The duke said:”That was me.”
Master Kuang said:”Ah! These are not the words a ruler ought to speak.”
The attendants asked to punish Master Kuang, but the duke said:
“Let him go. Let this incident serve as a warning to me.”
Note
Duke Ping of Jin
A ruler of the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period. In this story, he briefly indulges in arrogance but shows wisdom by accepting criticism instead of punishing the remonstrator.
Music Master Kuang (Shi Kuang)
A famous blind musician, statesman and moral adviser in ancient China. He was highly respected for his integrity, courage and frank remonstrance to rulers.
A leading Legalist philosopher of the Warring States Period. He used vivid fables to teach rulers about proper governance and the danger of arrogance.
Shi (Music Master)
In ancient China, court musicians were not only entertainers but also moral counselors, often responsible for reminding rulers of virtue and moderation.
Remonstrance Culture
A core tradition in Chinese politics: upright officials dared to criticize rulers directly for the good of the state, and wise rulers accepted such criticism.
Shi Kuang strikes Duke Ping
This story stands for “daring to speak truth to power” and criticizing a ruler’s arrogance. It also praises rulers who tolerate honest criticism and use mistakes as self-warning.
晋平公与群臣饮，饮酣，乃喟然叹曰：“莫乐为人君，惟其言而莫之违！”师旷侍坐于前，援琴撞之。公披衽而避，琴坏于壁。公曰：“太师谁撞？”师旷曰：“今者有小人言于侧者，故撞之。”公曰：“寡人也。”师旷曰：“哑！是非君人者之言也。”左右请除之。公曰：“释之，以为寡人戒。”
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