If He Himself Is Upright, Things Proceed Without Command

answered by Analects of Confucius, Zi Lu

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🎬 TODAY'S FILM — IT ASKS THIS

Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970)

dir. Elio Petri · Italy

When the one who enforces the law regards himself as above it, who judges him? If the hand that holds the measure is bent, everything measured by it bends too. Where does the corruption of one who stands where justice must be kept begin to topple the whole order?

THE QUESTION THE FILM ASKS

Do I hold a straight measure to others while never checking whether my own hand holding it is bent?

THE CLASSIC'S ANSWER · ORIGINAL

其身正不令而行

其身正不令而行其身不正雖令不從

📜 THE CLASSIC'S ANSWER

If he himself is upright, things proceed without his command; if not, though he commands, none obey.

💡 TL;DR

Confucius placed the power of governance not in command but in the uprightness of the one who governs.

📝The Classic Answers

Confucius placed the power of governance not in command but in the uprightness of the one who governs. If he himself is bent, even a right command loses its force. When one who enforces the law thinks himself above it, everything measured by his hand bends too. The corruption of one at the seat of justice topples not a single fault but the whole order. Before raising a measure to others, I choose first to check whether the hand that holds it is straight.

— ONGO · Curator

🌱Apply It Today

If you demanded a standard of someone today, honestly check whether you yourself keep it first.

📖 Classic Source: Analects of Confucius, Zi Lu. Ancient text in the public domain; rendered and interpreted independently by ONGO.
The film is honored as an equal questioner; its plot is rendered only as a universal dilemma. The classic source is an ancient text (Public Domain), and the reflection is 100% original ONGO content.