Chinese wisdom is shared daily 23。
Confucius said: The Tao is governed by government, and the people are punished by punishment, and the people are free and shameless. The way is virtuous, all are courteous, shameful and qualified.
Confucius said: By using the means of power and the legal system to manage the people, and using the criminal law to restrain them, the common people can only be exempted from punishment for crimes, but they have no shame. Guide the people with morality, use etiquette to unify the words and deeds of the people, not only understand the integrity of right and wrong, but also obey from the heart.
Here Confucius pointed out two very different strategies for governing the country and their effects: "the way to govern, and the punishment to the whole" is the rule of law and the way of governing the country by violence. "The way is moral, and the way is courteous" is the way to govern the country by virtue and education. The comparison of the two methods is as follows:
Rule of Law and Violence: This approach focuses on the development and enforcement of laws and regulations, and restricts the behavior of civilians through coercion and punishment. The advantage of this method is that it can produce quick results and can quickly control the social order. But the downside is that it is difficult to penetrate into the hearts of the people, and the people may just obey the law out of fear, and do not really identify with and internalize these rules. In addition, this approach can lead to dissatisfaction and resentment among the population, which can lead to social instability and conflict.
Rule by virtue and education: This method focuses on the guidance of morality and the unity of etiquette, and promotes the people to consciously abide by social norms through the influence of education and culture. The advantage of this method is that it can penetrate into the hearts of the people, so that the people can truly identify with and internalize the rules, so as to form a stable social order. In addition, this method can also improve the moral level of the people, and enhance the cohesion and centripetal force of society. However, this method requires a long period of cultivation and accumulation, and the effect is slower.
Confucius believed that the way of virtue and the way of virtue and education is a more ideal and long-term way of governing the country. Only through the guidance of morality and the unity of etiquette can we truly achieve social harmony and stability. Therefore, Confucius advocated the rule of virtue in the world, believing that the law was only an auxiliary means, and should only be used as a last resort. At the same time, Confucius also emphasized the importance of education, believing that only through education can we truly cultivate moral, educated, and faithful people.