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A Study on the virtue in the “Analects” of Confucius

  • Journal of Korean Classical Chinese Literature
  • Abbr : 한문고전연구
  • 2018, 36(1), pp.331-355
  • DOI : 10.18213/jkccl.2018.36.1.011
  • Publisher : The Classical Chinese Literature Association of Korea
  • Research Area : Humanities > Korean Language and Literature
  • Received : June 2, 2018
  • Accepted : June 12, 2018
  • Published : June 30, 2018

An, Soon-Tae 1

1서울대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to investigate two main virtues of the leader presented in the "Analects", namely, "Doing nothing but ruled well[無爲之治]" and "Selecting persons[擧直錯枉]", and to clarify that the core contents are structurally closely intertwined each other. The method of politics that can be consistently identified in the "Analects" is virtuous. Dechy is an individual's internal discipline as well as the way a leader conducts politics on the outside. In Confucius' s view, internal fostering and external politics can not be separated. In this paper, however, we focus mainly on the virtue of leadership as an external political act. The premise for doing well is that the leader must endeavor to constantly self-cultivate and straighten up. At the same time, it is necessary to carry out the "Doing nothing but ruled well" and "Selecting persons" properly. The point of 'Doing nothing but ruled well' is that the people lead by virtue and let the people follow with their heart. At this time, virtue and ruling as an example refer to correcting oneself without being arbitrarily ruled by decree and punishment. But if you have only the virtue and the honor, will you be well governed? In order to have virtue and example and to realize 'Doing nothing but ruled well' properly, it is necessary to listen carefully to talented people. The gist of the "Selecting persons" is about how to know a good man, and let him to have a high position. It is to put a straight one on the curved one. The interpretation of this chapter has been largely divided into two parts. It is the interpretation that "the straight up is taken up, and the bent is exiled out" and "the straight up is placed on the bent." However, Confucius' s answer to the question of the Fanchi[樊遲] can be seen as the validity of the latter interpretation. To put the straight up on the curved side is based on the fact that it will be in the top position with the straight line, so that the people will be diligent and at the same time straighten the curved person without throwing it away. It is an acquaintance that it is the acquaintance which hides straight thing and the curved thing and it is the mistress to embrace it without abandoning it. I think that the message of the “Analects” of Confucius related to the virtues of the leader is enough to be embroidered as the virtue of the leader in many organizations today. From small organizations to largely national ones, rather than leading the organization by discipline and coercion, it is necessary to strive to cultivate the leadership of the leader, but to put it straight, and not to say that the bend is the main virtue of Confucius's leader to be.

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