# XIX explained — Analects

> Chapter companion for Analects by Confucius.

## What happens

The Duke Âi asks Confucius how to secure the submission of the people. Confucius replies that by advancing the upright and setting aside the crooked, the people will submit; but if the crooked are advanced and the upright set aside, they will not submit.

## Themes in this chapter

### Virtuous Governance

Confucius advises the Duke to advance the upright and set aside the crooked to secure the people's submission, highlighting the moral basis of good governance.

## Character check-ins

### Duke Âi

Asks Confucius how to secure the submission of the people.

### Confucius

Responds to Duke Âi's question about governance, emphasizing the importance of promoting the upright.

## Key lines

> Advance the upright and set aside the crooked, then the people will submit. Advance the crooked and set aside the upright, then the people will not submit.

If you promote honest and just officials while removing corrupt ones, the people will be loyal. Conversely, if you elevate the corrupt and demote the honest, you will lose their support.

_Confucius emphasizes the direct impact of leadership choices on public trust and submission._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se/chapters/xix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se/chapters