SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

ethical leadership

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.7

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    Ana

    Zigong asked about governance. The Master said, “Ensure sufficient food, sufficient military strength, and the people’s trust.”Zigong asked, “If, under unavoidable circumstances, one of these three must be abandoned, which should go first?”The Master replied, “Abandon the military.”Zigong asked again, “If, under further unavoidable circumstances, another must be abandoned between the remaining two, which…

  • The Analects – Chapter 11.25

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    Ana

    Zilu appointed Zigao as magistrate of Fei. The Master said, “You are harming that young man!”Zilu replied, “There are people to govern and altars of soil and grain to tend – why must one read books before being considered learned?”The Master retorted, “This is precisely why I detest glib talkers who twist words to…

  • The Analects – Chapter 11.1

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    Ana

    The Master said, “Those who studied ritual and music before entering government were commoners from the countryside; those who entered government first and then studied ritual and music were nobles (junzi). If I were to choose whom to employ, I would follow the former group.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 9.14

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    Ana

    Confucius wanted to move and live among the Nine Yi (barbarian tribes in the remote east). Someone said, “That place is too crude – how can you live there?” Confucius replied, “If a noble person lives there, how can it be called crude?”

  • Doctrine of the Mean Chapter 6. The Wisdom of the Mean in Action: Shun’s Governance

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    Ana

    The Master said:“How supremely wise was Shun!He loved to ask questions and was attentive to even the most ordinary words.He concealed what was evil and promoted what was good.Grasping the two extremes, he applied the Mean to the people.It was precisely this that made him Shun!”

  • Great Learning Chapter 14. Embrace the Worthy, Expel the Wicked

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    Ana

    The Qin Shi (in the Book of Documents) says:“If there is a minister – simple and sincere, possessing no special talents,yet his heart is broad, peaceful, and truly capacious.When others have ability, he rejoices as if it were his own;when others are virtuous and wise, he genuinely admires them,praising them even more fervently than…

  • Great Learning Chapter 12. The Ruler’s Mirror: Empathy and Reciprocity

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    Ana

    What is meant by “bringing peace to the world depends on governing one’s state well” is this:When those in high positions honor the elderly, the people are inspired to practice filial piety;when they respect their elders, the people are inspired to practice fraternal duty;when they show compassion for orphans, the people will not abandon…

  • Mencius – Chapter 8.5 Moral leadership: Virtue from the top

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    Ana

    Mencius said: “If the ruler is benevolent, all will be benevolent; if the ruler is righteous, all will be righteous.”

  • Mencius – Chapter 8.3 Reciprocity over obedience: Conditional loyalty

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    Ana

    Mencius said to King Xuan of Qi: “If a ruler treats his ministers as his own hands and feet, they will treat him as their heart and mind.If he treats them like dogs or horses, they will regard him as a mere stranger.If he treats them like dust or weeds – worthless and disposable…