6.30
Zigong said, “If a ruler not only conferred wide benefits upon the common people, but also compassed the salvation of the whole State, what would you say of him? Surely, you would call him benevolent?”
The Master said, “It would no longer be a matter of ‘benevolence.’ He would without doubt be a Divine Sage. Even Yao and Shun could hardly criticize him. As for benevolence — you yourself desire rank and standing; then help others to get rank and standing. You want to turn your own merits to account; then help others to turn theirs to account — in fact, the ability to take one’s own feelings as a guide — that is the sort of thing that lies in the direction of benevolence.”
子貢曰：「如有博施於民而能濟眾，何如？可謂仁乎？」子曰：「何事於仁，必也聖乎！堯舜其猶病諸！夫仁者，己欲立而立人，己欲達而達人。能近取譬，可謂仁之方也已。」
Notes
Zigong asked: “If someone could benefit the people extensively and relieve the multitude, what would you say? Could this be called benevolence?”
Confucius replied: “Why stop at benevolence? This would surely be sagehood! Even Yao and Shun found this difficult to achieve! The benevolent person: wishing to establish oneself, helps others establish themselves; wishing to attain success, helps others attain success. The ability to draw analogies from one’s immediate experience — this may be called the method of practicing benevolence.”
This dialogue from the Analects distinguishes between the realms of benevolence and sagehood, while clarifying the practical path to benevolence.
The relationship between benevolence and sagehood is one of foundation and sublimation:
- Benevolence is the foundation of sagehood
- Sagehood is the sublimation of benevolence
Their difference parallels that between “governing the state and bringing peace to the world” (the external manifestation of sagehood) and “self-cultivation and family harmony” (the foundational practice of benevolence) — different levels of accomplishment.
Confucius further points out that the way to practice benevolence begins with matters and people close at hand — using oneself as analogy, practicing empathy, and extending one’s care to others.
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