Confucius said, “Lead the people with governmental measures and regulate them with laws and punishment, and they will avoid wrongdoing but will have no sense of honor and shame. Lead them with virtue and regulate them by the rules of propriety, and they will have a sense of shame and, moreover, set themselves right.” [2:3]
Chi K’ang asked Confucius about government, saying, “What do you think of killing the wicked and associating with the good?” Confucius replied, “In your government what is the need of killing? If you desire what is good, the people will be good. The character of a ruler is like wind and that of the people is like grass. In whatever direction the wind blows, the grass always bends.” [12:19]
Confucius said, “If a ruler sets himself right, he will be followed without his command. If he does not set himself right, even his commands will not be obeyed.” [13:6]
Source: Excerpts from The Analects of Confucius
4. Identify the characteristics of the ideal ruler, according to Confucius. Do you agree with his thoughts or disagree? Why? (4 sentence minimum)
Answer:
According to Confucius, the ideal ruler should lead the people with virtue and set a moral example. Instead of relying on governmental measures and punishment to control the people's behavior, the ruler should cultivate a sense of shame and honor through virtue and the rules of propriety. Confucius believed that if the ruler embodies these qualities and sets himself right, the people will naturally follow and behave accordingly. However, if the ruler fails to exemplify virtue, even their commands will not be obeyed.
Whether one agrees or disagrees with Confucius' thoughts on the ideal ruler is subjective. Some might argue that leading by moral example is essential for a ruler to gain the trust and respect of the people. By promoting virtue and setting the right values, the ruler can establish a harmonious and morally upright society. Others might argue that Confucius' approach is idealistic and might not be applicable in all contexts. They might argue that strong governance and a clear system of laws and punishment are necessary to maintain social order and prevent wrongdoing. Ultimately, whether one agrees or disagrees with Confucius' thoughts depends on their own perspective on governance and leadership.