SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

political legitimacy

  • The Analects – Chapter 16.3

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    Ana

    Confucius said, “The stipends and authority have been removed from the ducal house for five generations; political power has rested with the high ministers for four generations. Therefore, the descendants of the Three Huan families are now in decline.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 16.2

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    Ana

    Confucius said, “When the world is governed by the Way, rites and music and decisions on military campaigns originate from the Son of Heaven. When the world lacks the Way, they originate from the feudal lords. When they come from the feudal lords, rarely does their rule last beyond ten generations; when they come…

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.21

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    Ana

    Chen Chengzi (also known as Chen Heng) assassinated Duke Jian of Qi. Upon hearing this, Confucius bathed, dressed in formal court attire, and went to court to report to Duke Ai of Lu: “Chen Heng has murdered his ruler. I request that you launch a punitive expedition against him.”Duke Ai replied, “Report this to…

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.16

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    Ana

    Duke Ye asked about governance. The Master said, “When those nearby are pleased, those from afar will come.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.14

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    Ana

    Ran You returned late from court. The Master asked, “Why so late?” He replied, “There was government business.” The Master corrected him, “That was merely administrative affairs. If there were truly matters of state policy, even if I were not employed, I would surely have heard about them.”

  • 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…

  • Doctrine of the Mean Chapter 29. Virtue and Position in Harmony

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    Ana

    The Master said:“Foolish yet fond of acting on one’s own judgment;lowly yet fond of exercising sole authority;living in the present age, yet opposing its established Way by blindly reverting to antiquity –such a person will surely bring disaster upon himself.”

  • Doctrine of the Mean Chapter 17. Virtue and the Mandate of Heaven

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    Ana

    The Master said:“Was Shun not the epitome of filial piety?His virtue made him a sage; his honor made him Son of Heaven;he possessed the wealth of all within the Four Seas.He is honored in ancestral temples, and his descendants preserve his legacy.

  • Great Learning Chapter 16. Righteousness over Revenue: Critique of Fiscal Exploitation

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    Ana

    Meng Xianzi said:“A family that keeps a team of four horses for chariots should not concern itself with raising chickens and pigs for profit;a household entitled to cut ice for ancestral rites should not raise cattle and sheep for gain;a state possessing a hundred war chariots should not employ ministers who amass wealth through…