In this particular day, I shall
attempt to interpret another verse from the Analects. This is the verse 12:11
that is stated as follows:
“ The Duke Ching, of Ch’i, asked Confucius about government. Confucius
replied, ‘There is government, when the prince is prince, and the minister is
minister; when the father is father, and the son is son.’
‘Good!’ said the duke, ‘if indeed; the prince be not prince, the
minister not minister, the father not father, and the son not son, although I
have my revenue, can I enjoy it?’ 1”
Firstly, let us go over the general concept of the verse. The concept revolves
around the “rectification of names” or “incorrect naming”. The Confucian concept of the “rectification of
names” is more inclined to the concept of morality. It gives a stress on the
correspondence to name and actuality, or in simpler terms, words translated
into action. Let us take the concept of good governance. Good governance can
only be attested when a public official actually practices it. An efficient
State can only be called efficient when efficiency is in action in its economic
development, production, etc. Confucius
stresses the importance of being faithful to the essence or meaning of names
and things because it is essential in attaining inner harmony with one’s self
and the society. This harmony, in relation to the verse, is important in making
an efficient State and having good governance.
Secondly, I shall go over the verse using the dominant idea presented
by the previous point, which is being faithful to the meaning of things or the “names”
that are being used. This verse of the Analects depicts this. This means that
you act according to your role. You must not do the otherwise. Doing it will
only disturb the harmony and unity in yourself and in the society. This then,
will reduce your efficiency. For example, a son should not act like a father. A good son is obedient to his parents and does
not think he is above them or knows better than them. This act would result to
better family ties, and even a happy family life. This harmony in turn would
make this son be an effective citizen in the future, practicing the harmony he
cultivated in himself. Say if this same son will do otherwise, it will have an opposite
effect. It will destroy his bond with his family, and it will affect his
well-being. This will affect his job at hand, and this reduces the efficiency
in his work.
Every person or thing which
comprises the government must act according to his role. A good citizen follow
the laws, a good leader is responsible and true to his words, etc. Since everyone acts according to what is
expected of him, then order is established. If order is established, it will
make transactions and implementations of laws easier, and this can make the
State prosperous.
Acts that are contrary to this
will bring negative results, and this can greatly affect on the governance in
the State. Confucius emphasizes that one must keep in mind the correct use of
names because it is important in nurturing an individual’s way of living and a
State’s efficiency towards harmony and unity.
As to “although I have my revenue, can I enjoy it?” It is not what a person owns that makes his
name. It is how he acts according to his
name that makes him what he must be which can lead him to happiness.
In conclusion, the verse 12:11 in the Analects gives the notion of being
true and faithful to one’s name. Names
imply specific roles, obligations, responsibilities and values. In simpler terms, one
should act accordingly with what one is named. If both the leader and the people do this, there
will be efficient government and harmonious nation. Names have worth in action.
Sources:
1.
Legge. "XII - Yen Yuan." In Analects of Confucius.
2.
Chan, Wing Tsit. ""On The Rectification Of
Names"" In A Source
Book In Chinese Philosophy.
3.
Chan, Wing Tsit. ""On The Rectification Of
Names"" In A
Source Book In Chinese Philosophy.
4.
Chan, Wing Tsit. ""On The Rectification Of
Names"" In A Source
Book In Chinese Philosophy.
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