The Analects – Chapter 199 (8.13). Moral integrity in times of chaos

8.13
The Master said, “Be of unwavering good faith, love learning, if attacked be ready to die for the good Way. Do not enter a State that pursues dangerous courses, nor stay in one where the people have rebelled. When the Way prevails under Heaven, then show yourself; when it does not prevail, then hide. When the Way prevails in your own land, count it a disgrace to be needy and obscure; when the Way does not prevail in your land, then count it a disgrace to be rich and honoured.”

子曰：「篤信好學，守死善道。危邦不入，亂邦不居。天下有道則見，無道則隱。邦有道，貧且賤焉，恥也；邦無道，富且貴焉，恥也。」

Notes

This passage from the Analects provides a complete guide for the noble person on how to navigate turbulent times while upholding ideals. It establishes a behavioral system centered on inner cultivation > external choices > value-based boundaries, reflecting both Confucian adherence to “the Way(Dao) first” and the wisdom of “assessing circumstances.” It offers a blueprint for later scholars: “When prosperous, benefit the world; when in adversity, maintain personal integrity.”

• Firmly believe and diligently study, guard and practice righteousness unto death.
• When the world is well-governed, step forth to contribute; when it is chaotic, retreat into seclusion. Avoid unnecessary sacrifice by not entering dangerous states or dwelling in chaotic ones.
• In a well-governed state, one should act and not accept poverty and low status; in a poorly governed state, gaining wealth and status through compromise is shameful.

“When the state follows the Dao, it is honorable to hold office and receive emoluments; when the state deviates from the Dao, to hold office and receive emoluments is a disgrace.”(Analects 14.1)

It directly echoes the judgment of honor and disgrace based on whether the state adheres to the Dao or not. It defines the moral boundary of holding office and receiving emoluments, opposes clinging to official positions for salary at the expense of moral integrity when the state deviates from the Dao, and reinforces the core value of “upholding the Dao above all else”.