Analects of Confucius

In this book, Confucius elaborates further on what distinguishes the moral character of the one who possesses “manhood” and how it relates to the governance of a people. Rather than governing by an iron fist, Confucius makes the following observation: 

If every man keeps to his own land, there will be no poverty, with harmony there will be no lack of population but tranquility without upsets (subversions). It’s just like that. Therefore if distant people do not conform, one should attract them by one’s own disciplined culture, and by honest action, when they have come in, they will quiet down (109). 

Moreover, just as the one who governs in the manner of the virtuous individual, the same individuals will be capable of distinguishing that which aids and that which hinders the moral development of themselves and the people in general: 

There are three pleasures which augment a man, three that harm. The pleasure of dissociating perceptions of rites and music; pleasure in other men’s excellence; the pleasure in having a lot of friends with talent and character, augment; the enjoyment of swank, loafing and debauchery, harm” (110). 

Confucius also adds that “[t]he proper man has three awes: he stands in awe of the decrees of destiny [.