Benevolence and Righteousness
110. Being Benevolent [Ren]仁means showing loving-kindness to others. Loving-kindness is the moral character of parents. If the rulers care for the people with this parental love, they will implement plans that will benefit the people greatly. Being Righteous (Yi) 義 means having the ability to discern right from wrong and carrying out appropriate actions at the right time, which eliminates disasters for everyone. Doing what is beneficial for the people and eliminating disasters are meant to be the mission of men of virtues.
Scroll 50: Yuan Zi Zheng Shu
111. In comparison to animals, the noble truth about human beings is that they are capable of showing loving-kindness and mutual respect for one another.
Scroll 21: Hou Han Shu, Vol. 1
112. Benevolence is the root of all virtues, and faithfulness is the key to righteousness. A benevolent person will never distance himself from old friends, and a faithful person will never disregard his riors. This is the noble virtue.
Scroll 22: Hou Han Shu, Vol. 2
113. Members of the imperial household of the Zhou dynasty were honest and tolerant, so much so that they would even shower kindness to every plant and every tree. Thus, they were able to keep peace among their clans and show due respect to other elders. They provided for the elders and humbly sought advice from them, and so accumulated long-lasting blessings for the Zhou dynasty.
Scroll 3: Mao Shi
114. As a wise ruler, presiding in the imperial court can be likened to a chairman sitting in an assembly hall. If there is one person sobbing in a corner, all the people in the hall would stop rejoicing. As the role of presiding in the imperial court is no different from a chairman in an assembly hall, a wise ruler would see that everyone in the hall is appropriately seated before a filial son could come forward to present gifts to his father.
Scroll 43: Shuo Yuan
115. Minister Gao Yao17 expressed his opinions to Emperor Shun: “Your Majesty has a moral conduct that is noble and has not committed errors so far. You give simple but precise instructions to your subordinates and govern the people with leniency. Punishments will not be imposed on the offspring of the offenders, whereas rewards will be given to the descendants of the award recipient. Crimes committed out of mistake could be pardoned, but intentional offenses, no matter how minor, would be punished. When doubtful of deciding a sentence, you choose to impose lighter punishment; when doubtful of presenting a meritorious award, you choose to reward handsomely. You would rather be blamed for disrupting investigation procedures than to put innocent people to death by mistake.”
Scroll 2: Shang Shu
116. Zigong said: “Is there a word that one can hold permanently to one’s heart?” Confucius said: “It is this word, Shu18 (forgiveness)—What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”
Scroll 9: Lun Yu
117. The sages regard benevolence and righteousness to be the norm of a noble person (Junzi)—one who meets this norm is a Junzi, whereas one who does not is a scoundrel. Although a Junzi might die, his reputation lives on. A scoundrel might hold important positions, but the crimes he committed will never be easily eliminated. Holding a vast territory with the left hand and slitting his own throat with the right hand is something not even a fool would do, for human life is much more precious than winning over the world. However, a man who could sacrifice his life to save the ruler and his own parents from danger values righteousness more than his own life. Owning the whole kingdom has immeasurable benefits, but it is insignificant when compared to one’s life. Life is precious, but it is insignificant as compared to righteousness. Such is the behavior of people who regard benevolence and righteousness as their norm in life.
Scroll 35: Wen Zi
118. Confucius said: “Riches and honor acquired through unscrupulous means are like the unpredictable floating clouds, which to me are never worth going after.”
Scroll 48: Ti Lun
119. Confucius said: “A man of noble character (Junzi) would never act contrary to benevolence, even in between a short meal interval. In moments of haste, he sticks fast to it; in times of danger, he sticks fast to it.”
Scroll 9: Lun Yu
120. Mengzi said: “A benevolent person will never kill an innocent man, even if it is the way to win the throne.”
Scroll 25: Wei Zhi, Vol. 1
121. There has never been a benevolent person who would abandon his own parents, and a righteous person who does not honor his ruler with due respect.
Scroll 37: Meng Zi
122. Those who made contributions but disregarded benevolence will cause doubts and suspicions in others’ minds. Those who committed offenses but upheld benevolence and righteousness can gain the trust of others. Therefore, benevolence and righteousness should be the moral guidelines in everything we do, as they are the noblest virtues. Although cautious strategies can be devised to prevent disasters from happening, and nation building can materialize in a given time, a government that goes against benevolence and righteousness will not achieve a complete success in its undertakings.
Scroll 35: Wen Zi