The Analects – Chapter 13.11

The Master said, “If a good person governs a state for a hundred years, he can overcome cruelty and abolish capital punishment. Truly, this saying is correct!”

Note

This passage from The Analects of Confucius reveals his belief in the long-term efficacy of virtuous governance. The “good person” (benevolent person) refers to a ruler endowed with benevolence (humaneness) who practices benevolent rule. Confucius acknowledges that even under such moral leadership, it would take a full century to eradicate societal cruelty and eliminate harsh punishments. This shows that Confucianism does not expect moral transformation to happen overnight; instead, it recognizes that ethical reform requires sustained, generational effort. Yet Confucius remains optimistic: consistent rule by virtue will eventually replace coercion with moral persuasion and ritual propriety with humane order. By exclaiming “Truly, this saying is correct!” he affirms a traditional wisdom rather than claiming originality—highlighting his respect for historical precedent and his confidence in gradual, morally grounded political change. This reflects the Confucian balance between idealism (a society without violence or execution) and realism (achievable only through patient, century-long cultivation).

Further Reading

Ji Kangzi asked Confucius about governance, saying, “What if I execute the unprincipled to bring people to the Way? How would that be?” Confucius replied, “In your governance, why use killing? If you desire goodness, the people will be good.” Analects 12.19 (Yan Yuan)

Both reject reliance on punishment/killing; emphasize that moral example, not force, transforms society.

The Master said, “Guide the people by administrative orders and align them with punishments, and they will avoid wrongdoing but have no sense of shame. Guide them by virtue and align them with ritual, and they will have shame and self-correction.” Analects 2.3 (Wei Zheng)

Contrasts punitive rule with moral-ritual governance—directly supporting the goal of “overcoming killing” through virtual and ritual.

The Master said, “When one’s own conduct is upright, people follow without orders…” Analects 13.6 (Zi Lu)

Reinforces that ethical leadership naturally shapes public behavior—making harsh laws unnecessary over time.

子曰：「善人為邦百年，亦可以勝殘去殺矣。誠哉是言也！」