Here is one more illustration of a moral power that occasionally
came out of Confucianism. Ieyasu, the founder of the Shogunate,
is regarded as perhaps the greatest hero Japan has produced.
In his wars, his enemy, Mitsunari, was defeated, and fearing
the revenge of Ieyasu’s seven generals, he sent to Ieyasu for
pardon. The desired forgiveness was immediately granted, but
the seven generals were indignant that such an enemy should
escape death, and remonstrated with Ieyasu. The proverb he
quoted to them shows how near the best hearts in all ages are
to Christ’s “Love your enemies.” His reply was: “Even a hunter
will have pity on a distrest bird when it seeks refuge in his
bosom.”--JOHN H. DE FOREST, “Sunrise in the Sunrise
Kingdom.”
(1929)