Is what Confucius said true? Can music, poetry and decorum govern the world? Do rulers, by cultivating benevolence in themselves, plant benevolence in their subjects, and harmony in the polity?
The chaos of our time hardly invites us to take such notions seriously. But Confucius' time was chaotic too. The ancient Chou dynasty was crumbling, upstarts vied for power, and morality was falling apart.
In despair, a high government official proposed executing all wrongdoers. Confucius said, "In administering your government, what need is there for you to kill? Just desire the good yourself and the common people will be good."