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, how could the state be lost?”
Note
This dialogue from the Analects of Confucius reveals his profound insight into the mechanisms of state survival: even under an incompetent ruler, a state can remain stable if talented ministers competently manage key functions.
Although Duke Ling was “without the Dao” – neglecting governance and lacking personal virtue – his state did not collapse because he employed three exceptional officials: Zhongshu Yu (Kong Wenzi) for foreign affairs, Zhu Tuo (Zi Yu) for ritual and ancestral worship, and Wangsun Jia for military command. Together, they upheld the three pillars of statecraft: diplomacy, ritual order, and defense.
Confucius thus argues that governance does not depend solely on the ruler’s virtue, but crucially on a functional system of capable personnel and division of responsibilities. Even with a morally deficient sovereign, virtuous ministers can “patch the sky” and preserve the state.
This reflects the Confucian principle of “honoring the worthy and employing the capable”. The stability of a state rests on talent, not merely on hereditary legitimacy or divine mandate. At the same time, Confucius implies a warning: Duke Ling’s survival is precarious; long-term peace requires the ruler himself to cultivate virtue.
This passage balances praise for ministerial competence with a subtle critique of royal irresponsibility, showcasing Confucianism’s pragmatic and holistic view of political order.
Further Reading
Zhonggong, serving as steward to the Ji family, asked about governance. The Master said, “Appoint officers first, pardon minor faults, and promote the worthy and capable.” Analects 13.2 (Zi Lu)
Both emphasize that effective governance relies on appointing competent officials – state stability depends on talent, not just leadership charisma.
子言衛靈公之無道也，康子曰：「夫如是，奚而不喪？」孔子曰：「仲叔圉治賓客，祝鮀治宗廟，王孫賈治軍旅。夫如是，奚其喪？」
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