The Master discusses with his disciples and unveil his preoccupations with society. Tr. Legge (en), Lau (en) and Couvreur (fr).
Example in superiors is more powerful than force.
Chî K'ang asked how to cause the people to reverence their ruler, to be faithful to him, and to go on to nerve themselves to virtue. The Master said, "Let him preside over them with gravity;– then they will reverence him. Let him be final and kind to all;– then they will be faithful to him. Let him advance the good and teach the incompetent;– then they will eagerly seek to be virtuous."
Legge II.20.
Chi K'ang Tzu asked, 'How can one inculcate in the common people the virtue of reverence, of doing their best and of enthusiasm?'
The Master said, 'Rule over them with dignity and they will be reverent; treat them with kindness and they will do their best; raise the good and instruct those who are backward and they will be imbued with enthusiasm.'
Lau [2:20]
Ki K'ang tzeu1 dit : « Que faut-il faire pour que le peuple respecte son prince, lui soit fidèle et loyal ? » Le Maître répondit : « Que le prince montre de la dignité, et il sera respecté ; qu'il honore ses parents et soit bon envers ses sujets, et ses sujets lui seront fidèles ; qu'il élève aux charges les hommes de mérite et forme les incompétents, et il excitera le peuple à cultiver la vertu. »
Couvreur II.20.
The Analects of Confucius – Lun Yu II. 20. (36) – Chinese off/on – Français/English
Alias the Lunyu, the Lun Yü, the Analects, les Entretiens du maître avec ses disciples.
The Book of Odes, The Analects, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Three-characters book, The Book of Changes, The Way and its Power, 300 Tang Poems, The Art of War, Thirty-Six Strategies
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