THE “THREE POWERS”[4]
On hearing what Confucius said about filial duty, Tsêng Tzŭ remarked:
“How great is the use of filial duty!” Here Confucius continued:
“Filial duty is the constant doctrine of Heaven, the natural
righteousness of Earth, and the practical duty of man. Every member of
the community ought to observe it with the greatest care. We do what
is dictated by Heaven and what is good for the general public in order
to organise the community. On this account our education is widespread,
though it is not compulsory, and our government is sound, though it
is not rigorous. The effect of education upon the minds of the people
was well known to the good Emperors of old. They made every person
love his parents by loving their own parents first. They induced every
person to cultivate his virtue by expounding the advantages of virtue
to him. They behaved themselves respectfully and humbly, so that the
people might not quarrel with one another. They trained the people
with ceremonial observances, and educated them with music so that they
might live in harmony. They told the people what things they liked or
disliked to see done, so that they might understand what they were
forbidden to do.
In the _Shih Ching_ it is thus written: “The dignified statesman is
always the subject of the attention of the people.”
FOOTNOTES:
[4] _I.e._ Heaven, Earth, and Man.