# Yâo Yüeh explained — Analects

> Chapter companion for Analects by Confucius.

## What happens

This concluding chapter of the Analects presents the principles of virtuous governance through the words of ancient sage-kings and Confucius's teachings to his disciples. It emphasizes the importance of sincerity, the Mean, and the welfare of the people, and details the five excellent and four bad things in government, culminating in the necessity of recognizing Heaven's ordinances, propriety, and the force of words for the superior man.

## Themes in this chapter

### Virtuous Governance

The chapter extensively discusses the principles of good government, including the five excellent things and the four bad things, and the importance of the ruler's sincerity and justice.

### Ritual and Propriety

Confucius emphasizes that without acquaintance with the rules of Propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established, linking propriety to moral development.

### The Superior Man

The chapter concludes with the assertion that recognizing the ordinances of Heaven is essential to being a superior man, and that propriety and knowledge of words are also crucial.

## Character check-ins

### Confucius

The Master instructs Tsze-chang on the principles of good government, outlining the five excellent and four bad things, and concludes with the necessity of knowing Heaven's ordinances, propriety, and words.

### Tsze-chang

Asks Confucius how a person in authority should conduct government properly, prompting the Master's detailed response.

### Shun

Receives the Heaven-determined order of succession from Yâo and is charged to hold fast the due Mean.

### Yâo

Speaks to Shun, passing on the mandate of Heaven and emphasizing sincerity and the Mean.

## Key lines

> Sincerely hold fast the due Mean.

Hold firmly to the principle of moderation and balance in all things.

_Yâo's charge to Shun emphasizes the importance of the Mean in governance._

> When the person in authority is beneficent without great expenditure; when he lays tasks on the people without their repining; when he pursues what he desires without being covetous; when he maintains a dignified ease without being proud; when he is majestic without being fierce.

A good ruler benefits the people without wasting resources, assigns tasks without causing resentment, pursues goals without greed, remains dignified without arrogance, and commands respect without harshness.

_Confucius outlines the five excellent things that a ruler should cultivate._

> Without recognising the ordinances of Heaven, it is impossible to be a superior man.

To be a person of virtue, one must understand and accept the will of Heaven.

_Confucius concludes that knowledge of Heaven's ordinances is fundamental to moral excellence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-xx-y-o-y-eh
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se/chapters