Confucius criticizes petty officials obsessed with rank: they fret over gaining power first, then fear losing it, resorting to any wicked trick to hold their positions. Unlike principled gentlemen guided by righteousness, such profit-driven men lack moral boundaries and ruin governance.
The Master said, “In serving a ruler, attend to your duties with reverence first, and place your salary second.”
Zilu asked how to serve a ruler. The Master said, “Do not deceive him, but dare to remonstrate with him openly – even if it offends him.”