THE FILIAL DUTY OF A SON
Confucius said: “A filial son has five duties to perform to his
parents: (1) He must venerate them in daily life. (2) He must try to
make them happy in every possible way, especially when the meal is
served. (3) He must take extra care of them when they are sick. (4) He
ought to show great sorrow for them when they are dead. (5) He must
offer sacrifices to his deceased parents with the utmost solemnity. If
he fulfils these duties, then he can be considered as having done what
ought to be done by a son.”
A son ought not to feel proud of the high position he occupies, ought
not to show dissatisfaction with his inferior position to that of
others, and ought not to act against the natural feeling of the public.
If he is proud and haughty when he is a high official, he will soon
bring ruin upon himself and his family; if he feels dissatisfied with
his lower position, he may be led to do illegal acts; and if he does
anything contrary to the public feeling, he will probably be the
object of attacks. Having thus wronged himself, he cannot be considered
as a filial son, although he treats his parents every day to luxurious
meals.