Tag: Zisi

  • “Heaven has cast us off” – Tsu-li to King Zhou of Shang in the Shujing

    “Heaven has cast us off” – Tsu-li to King Zhou of Shang in the Shujing

    Tsu-li announces to king Zhou-xin (the last emperor of Shang dynasty), that Heaven has abandoned him, because of his dissolute way. “Heaven is bringing an end to the Mandate of our dynasty. (…) It is not that the former kings do not aid us, but by your dissoluteness and sport you bring on the end…

  • Confucian Philosopher Mencius on Dealing with Tyrannical Rulers

    Confucian Philosopher Mencius on Dealing with Tyrannical Rulers

    Mengzi 孟子 (372–289 BCE) on corruption and brutal rulers taught, that we must be moved by a moral disposition to do good, understand, and relieve humanity and other life each day a little more of its suffering. Mencius taught, that benevolence is the essence of the human being, and with the cultivation of virtue, comes our…

  • Zisi: Virtue and Accountable Actions | Doctrine of the Mean

    Zisi: Virtue and Accountable Actions | Doctrine of the Mean

    Zisi speaks on being accountable for our actions, for abandoning the path of virtue, and causing suffering under heavens watch. “Some men who have not complied with virtue will yet not acknowledge their offences, and when Heaven has by evident tokens charged them to correct their conduct, they still say, “What are these things to…