A Deep Exploration of the Way of Sovereign and Minister in 'The Analects: Xian Wen' and the Contingency of Benevolence and Righteousness
This paper focuses on the core political discourse passages in 'The Analects: Xian Wen' concerning figures like Zang Wuzhong, Guan Zhong, and Duke Ling of Wei. It analyzes Confucius's profound insights into the sovereign-minister relationship, the distinction between hegemony and true kingship, and the calibration of benevolence (Ren) and righteousness (Yi), particularly investigating the gap between 'the difficulty of action' and 'the essence of Ren'.
Section 2: Why Does "Not Being Ashamed of Words" Lead to Difficulty in Action$38
On the surface, this addresses the problem of "inconsistency between words and deeds"—if a person boasts without blushing, it shows he does not take his own words seriously, and naturally, he will not act upon them.
But on a deeper level, this statement concerns a more fundamental issue: the relationship between self-awareness and the moral sense.
"Zuo" (Shame) is a form of self-awareness. When you utter a statement, you inwardly know whether you can fulfill it. If you know you cannot, yet you speak it anyway, you ought to feel shame. If you feel no shame, there are two possibilities: either you genuinely possess the ability to do it (such people naturally won't be ashamed of their words); or you have lost the capacity for self-scrutiny—you do not know your own limits, and whether your words can be fulfilled.
The latter type of person is the most dangerous. Because they deceive themselves as much as they deceive others. A person capable of deceiving himself cannot achieve anything worthwhile—since he does not even understand his own true capabilities, how can he accurately assess a situation, formulate a strategy, and take action$39
This is why "not being ashamed of one’s words" leads to difficulty in action—a person who has lost the sense of shame has also lost the ability for self-recognition, and thus the capacity for effective action.