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Confucius remarked that Duke Ling of Wei was “without the Way (Dao)” (i.e., an unprincipled ruler). Ji Kangzi asked, “If that’s the case, why hasn’t he lost his state?”Confucius replied, “Zhongshu Yu handles diplomatic guests, Zhu Tuo manages ancestral temple rituals, and Wangsun Jia oversees the military. With such capable ministers fulfilling their roles,…
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Gongshu Wenzi recommended his own retainer, Dafu Zhuan, to the ruler, and both were promoted together to serve as high ministers at court. When Confucius heard of this, he said, “He truly deserves the posthumous title ‘Wen’!”
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Zhonggong, serving as steward to the Ji family, asked Confucius about governance. The Master said, “Set an example for your officials, pardon minor faults, and promote the worthy and capable.”Zhonggong asked further, “How can I know who is worthy and capable so I can promote them?”The Master replied, “Promote those you know to be…
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Mencius said: “Yu the Great detested fine wine but loved wise counsel. Tang held to the Golden Mean and appointed the worthy without regard to their background. King Wen of Zhou looked upon the people as if they were wounded, and though he longed for the Dao, he always felt he had not yet…