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Of the beings created by heaven and nourished by earth, none is of greater worth than man; and, in the way followed by man, nothing is of greater import than the close relationship of father and son and the mutual obligation that binds ruler and officer together.
A father patterns his way on the sages; a son patterns his way on empathy; a ruler patterns his way on active virtue; and an officer patterns his way on loyalty.
A worthy father rears his son with kindness and forms his capacities with instruction. He nourishes his son’s sense of what is fitting and develops his store of acquired knowledge, gives due attention to the development of his personal integrity and sees to it that he is prudent in his behavior.
When his son is seven or older, the father will choose a wise teacher for him and select some good friends for him so that he will see no wickedness, be habituated to goodness in youth, and develop his capacities early.
The service given a father by a worthy son, therefore, is such that, in his speech and choice of words, his replies give no offense to the ear; and, in his coming and going, his entering and withdrawing, his expression gives no offense to the eye.
He is deferential and subservient in manner and gives no offense to the heart.
A man of quality serves his father by accumulating virtue.
A son is his father’s root; he obeys his father’s commands wherever he goes; one who goes somewhere and disobeys his father’s commands is in fact one who does injury to his father.
Thus, a son supplies to his father everything that gives him satisfaction. The service given his lord by a worthy officer is such that, on the day he receives his appointment, he will regard his lord as his father, regard the state as his family, and regard other officers as his brothers.
Hence, if there is anything that will bring peace to the state or bring benefit to the people, he will not shirk any difficulty or shrink from any labor in bringing that thing to pass.
This being so, his lord will for his part assist him so that his virtue may take effect.
Officers and lords in their relationships with the people, let us note, serve in turn as each other’s roots in an unending process of exchange.
The Master moreover said, “In all the actions of man, nothing is of greater significance than filial devotion.