Mencius – Chapter 14.12

Mencius said, “If a ruler does not trust the benevolent and the worthy, the state will be left hollow and devoid of its core pillars. If there are no propriety and righteousness, the hierarchy between superiors and subordinates will fall into chaos. If state administration and affairs are neglected, national wealth and expenditures will be insufficient.”

Note

This passage from the Jin Xin II chapter of the Mencius is a concise summary of the three core elements of “state governance.” Drawing on historical context and Confucian classics, we can understand its underlying thought through the following dimensions:

• The Foundation of Governance Lies in Talent and Trust: “If a Ruler Does Not Trust the Benevolent and the Worthy, the State Will Be Left Hollow”
  During the Warring States period, talent was the key to determining the rise and fall of a state. Mencius pointed out that merely “having” benevolent and worthy individuals is not enough; the crucial factor is whether the ruler “trusts” (and employs) them. If a ruler is suspicious of wise ministers and distances himself from the worthy while favoring petty ones, the state will lose its mainstay and inevitably become hollow and weak internally. This reflects Mencius’ employment philosophy of “honoring the worthy and employing the capable,” emphasizing that political trust is the foundation of national cohesion.
• The Moral Cornerstone of Social Order: “If There Are No Propriety and Righteousness, the Hierarchy Between Superiors and Subordinates Will Fall into Chaos”
  “Propriety” (Li) refers to external social norms and order, while “righteousness” (Yi) represents internal moral legitimacy. Mencius believed that if a state abandons propriety and righteousness and relies solely on harsh laws or coercive power to maintain rule, society will lose its moral compass, leading to a breakdown in hierarchy and internal strife. This reflects the core Confucian political proposition of “governing the state through virtue,” emphasizing the irreplaceable role of moral education in maintaining social stability.
• A Pragmatic View on People’s Livelihood and Economy: “If State Administration and Affairs Are Neglected, National Wealth and Expenditures Will Be Insufficient”
  Unlike the previous two points that emphasize morality and talent, this point reveals a highly pragmatic side of Mencius. “State administration” refers to concrete administrative management, such as encouraging agriculture, building water conservancy projects, and levying reasonable taxes. Mencius clearly realized that morality and talent cannot directly feed the people. Without solid and effective administrative management and economic construction, the state will face a fiscal crisis, and benevolent governance will become water without a source. This demonstrates that Mencius’ “benevolent governance” not only possessed lofty moral ideals but also included practical and feasible economic policies.

孟子曰：“不信仁贤，则国空虚。无礼义，则上下乱。无政事，则财用不足。”