Summary
This chapter presents Confucius grappling with one of life's hardest questions: when do you stay and fight for change, and when do you walk away? Through a series of encounters and stories, we see different approaches to dealing with corrupt or dysfunctional systems. Some officials, like the Viscount of Wei, simply withdraw when they can't serve with integrity. Others, like Hui of Liu-hsia, stay and endure repeated dismissals rather than compromise their values or abandon their homeland. Confucius himself faces this dilemma when Duke Ching of Ch'i decides he's too old to implement Confucian reforms, and again when the ruler of Lu becomes so distracted by entertainment that he neglects governing for three days straight. In both cases, Confucius chooses to leave. The chapter also introduces us to various hermits and recluses who've completely withdrawn from society. A 'madman' warns Confucius that political engagement is dangerous. Two farmers working in fields suggest that the whole world is so corrupt that reformers should just give up entirely. An old man criticizes Confucius's followers for being soft and impractical. But Confucius pushes back against total withdrawal, arguing that humans must engage with other humans—that's what makes us human. He acknowledges different people make different choices about how to maintain their integrity, but insists that complete disengagement isn't the answer. The chapter reveals the loneliness and difficulty of trying to reform society while maintaining your principles, showing that sometimes the most principled choice is knowing when to walk away from situations that would force you to become someone you're not.
Coming Up in Chapter 19
The next chapter shifts focus to the sayings and teachings of Tsze-chang, one of Confucius's disciples, offering a different perspective on how to apply the master's wisdom in daily life.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
BOOK XVIII. WEI TSZE. CHAP. I. 1. The Viscount of Wei withdrew from the court. The Viscount of Chi became a slave to Chau. Pi-kan remonstrated with him and died. 2. Confucius said, 'The Yin dynasty possessed these three men of virtue.' CHAP. II. Hui of Liu-hsia being chief criminal judge, was thrice dismissed from his office. Some one said to him, 'Is it not yet time for you, sir, to leave this?' He replied, 'Serving men in an upright way, where shall I go to, and not experience such a thrice- repeated dismissal? If I choose to serve men in a crooked way, what necessity is there for me to leave the country of my parents?' CHAP. III. The duke Ching of Ch'i, with reference to the manner in which he should treat Confucius, said, 'I cannot treat him as I would the chief of the Chi family. I will treat him in a manner between that accorded to the chief of the Chi, and that given to the chief of the Mang family.' He also said, 'I am old; I cannot use his doctrines.' Confucius took his departure. CHAP. IV. The people of Ch'i sent to Lu a present of female musicians, which Chi Hwan received, and for three days no court was held. Confucius took his departure. CHAP. V. 1. The madman of Ch'u, Chieh-yu, passed by Confucius, singing and saying, 'O FANG! O FANG! How is your virtue degenerated! As to the past, reproof is useless; but the future may still be provided against. Give up your vain pursuit. Give up your vain pursuit. Peril awaits those who now engage in affairs of government.' 2. Confucius alighted and wished to converse with him, but Chieh-yu hastened away, so that he could not talk with him. CHAP. VI. 1. Ch'ang-tsu and Chieh-ni were at work in the field together, when Confucius passed by them, and sent Tsze-lu to inquire for the ford. 2. Ch'ang-tsu said, 'Who is he that holds the reins in the carriage there?' Tsze-lu told him, 'It is K'ung Ch'iu.' 'Is it not K'ung Ch'iu of Lu?' asked he. 'Yes,' was the reply, to which the other rejoined, 'He knows the ford.' 3. Tsze-lu then inquired of Chieh-ni, who said to him, 'Who are you, sir?' He answered, 'I am Chung Yu.' 'Are you not the disciple of K'ung Ch'iu of Lu?' asked the other. 'I am,' replied he, and then Chieh-ni said to him, 'Disorder, like a swelling flood, spreads over the whole empire, and who is he that will change its state for you? Than follow one who merely withdraws from this one and that one, had you not better follow those who have withdrawn from the world altogether?' With this he fell to covering up the seed, and proceeded with his work, without stopping. 4. Tsze-lu went and reported their remarks, when the Master observed with a sigh, 'It is impossible to associate with birds and beasts, as if they were...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Principled Exit - When Walking Away Is the Strongest Choice
Recognizing when leaving a corrupt or dysfunctional system is the only way to maintain your integrity and values.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when systems are pressuring you to compromise your values through small, seemingly reasonable steps.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone asks you to make a 'small exception' to your normal standards—watch for the pattern of incremental compromise.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Withdrawal vs. Engagement
The central tension in this chapter between staying to fight for change within a corrupt system versus leaving to preserve your integrity. Different characters choose different paths when faced with moral compromise.
Modern Usage:
We see this when employees quit toxic workplaces rather than become part of the problem, or when activists debate whether to work within broken institutions or start fresh elsewhere.
Remonstration
The act of speaking truth to power, even when it's dangerous. Pi-kan died for remonstrating with a corrupt ruler, showing the ultimate cost of moral courage.
Modern Usage:
Like whistleblowers who risk their careers to expose wrongdoing, or employees who speak up about unsafe conditions knowing they might get fired.
The Hermit's Path
Complete withdrawal from society when you believe the whole system is too corrupt to reform. The farmers and hermits in this chapter represent this extreme position.
Modern Usage:
Similar to people who go completely off-grid, reject social media entirely, or refuse to participate in politics because they think it's all hopeless.
Moral Compromise
The pressure to bend your principles to keep your position or fit in. Hui of Liu-hsia refuses this path, accepting repeated dismissals rather than serve 'in a crooked way.'
Modern Usage:
Like staying honest in sales even when everyone else lies to customers, or refusing to participate in workplace gossip even when it might help your career.
The Viscount of Wei
A historical figure who represents dignified withdrawal - leaving a corrupt court rather than participating in or enabling wrongdoing.
Modern Usage:
Like executives who resign from companies engaged in unethical practices rather than try to reform from within.
Female Musicians Gift
A political bribe disguised as entertainment. The gift of female musicians to distract the ruler from governance represents how power can be corrupted through pleasure and distraction.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how corporations wine and dine politicians, or how any form of entertainment can become a distraction from important responsibilities.
Characters in This Chapter
The Viscount of Wei
Model of principled withdrawal
He withdrew from court rather than serve under corruption, representing the dignity of walking away when you can't maintain your integrity. Confucius praises him as one of three virtuous men.
Modern Equivalent:
The executive who resigns rather than implement layoffs they disagree with
Hui of Liu-hsia
Model of persistent integrity
Despite being dismissed three times for his upright service, he refuses to either leave his homeland or compromise his principles. He embodies staying true to yourself regardless of consequences.
Modern Equivalent:
The teacher who keeps advocating for students even after being written up by administration
Duke Ching of Ch'i
The well-meaning but uncommitted leader
He respects Confucius but admits he's too old to implement real reforms. His honesty about his limitations leads to their parting, showing how good intentions aren't always enough.
Modern Equivalent:
The boss who agrees with your ideas but won't rock the boat to implement them
The madman Chieh-yu
The warning voice
He warns Confucius that political engagement is dangerous and futile, representing the voice that says 'don't even try.' His 'madness' might actually be wisdom about the risks of reform.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who warns you not to report safety violations because 'they'll just find a way to fire you'
The two farmers
Voices of complete disengagement
They've withdrawn entirely from society, suggesting that the whole world is so corrupt that engagement is pointless. They represent the hermit's path taken to its logical conclusion.
Modern Equivalent:
People who've given up on politics entirely and just focus on their own small world
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Serving men in an upright way, where shall I go to, and not experience such a thrice-repeated dismissal? If I choose to serve men in a crooked way, what necessity is there for me to leave the country of my parents?"
Context: When asked why he doesn't leave after being fired three times for his integrity
This captures the core dilemma of maintaining principles in an imperfect world. Hui recognizes that corruption is everywhere, so geographic escape won't solve the problem. The real choice is between compromising yourself or accepting the consequences of integrity.
In Today's Words:
If I do the right thing, I'll have problems everywhere I go. If I'm willing to be dishonest, then why leave home at all?
"I am old; I cannot use his doctrines."
Context: Explaining to Confucius why he won't implement reforms despite respecting him
This honest admission reveals how age, comfort, and established patterns can prevent even well-intentioned leaders from making necessary changes. It's both tragic and understandable - the duke knows what's right but lacks the energy or will to fight for it.
In Today's Words:
I'm too set in my ways to make the changes you're suggesting.
"The Yin dynasty possessed these three men of virtue."
Context: Praising the Viscount of Wei, the Viscount of Chi, and Pi-kan for their different responses to corruption
Confucius recognizes that there are multiple valid ways to maintain virtue under corrupt systems. Whether you withdraw, endure, or die for your principles, what matters is that you don't compromise your core values.
In Today's Words:
That corrupt dynasty still produced three people who did the right thing.
"How is your virtue degenerated! As to the past, reproof is useless; but the future may still be provided against."
Context: Warning Confucius about the dangers of political engagement
The 'madman' suggests that Confucius's virtue is being corrupted by his political involvement, and warns him to stop before it's too late. This represents the voice that says reform is impossible and dangerous to attempt.
In Today's Words:
You used to be better than this! You can't fix what's already broken, but you can still save yourself.
Thematic Threads
Integrity
In This Chapter
Characters face the choice between compromising their values to stay in positions or maintaining principles by leaving
Development
Evolved from earlier discussions of virtue to practical decisions about when principles require action
In Your Life:
You might face this when your workplace asks you to do something that goes against your moral code
Isolation
In This Chapter
Principled people often find themselves alone—hermits withdraw completely, Confucius travels seeking worthy rulers
Development
Builds on earlier themes about the loneliness of moral leadership
In Your Life:
Standing up for what's right can sometimes mean standing alone, even among friends or family
Engagement
In This Chapter
Confucius argues against total withdrawal, insisting humans must engage with society despite its flaws
Development
Balances earlier emphasis on virtue with practical need for social connection
In Your Life:
You might struggle with how much to engage with systems or people you find problematic
Timing
In This Chapter
Different characters choose different moments to act—some leave immediately, others endure longer
Development
Introduced here as a key factor in principled decision-making
In Your Life:
Knowing when to speak up, when to wait, and when to walk away is crucial in workplace and family conflicts
Identity
In This Chapter
Each character's choice reflects who they are—the hermit, the endurer, the reformer who knows when to quit
Development
Deepens from earlier focus on social roles to core questions of personal identity
In Your Life:
Your response to corrupt or dysfunctional situations reveals and shapes who you really are
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
When Confucius left Duke Ching of Ch'i and the ruler of Lu, what specific behaviors made him decide to walk away?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think some officials chose to withdraw completely while others like Hui of Liu-hsia kept trying to serve despite repeated failures?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern of 'principled exits' happening in workplaces, relationships, or communities today?
application • medium - 4
How would you decide whether to stay and fight for change or walk away from a situation that's pressuring you to compromise your values?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the cost of maintaining integrity in corrupt systems, and why might some people choose total withdrawal while others keep engaging?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Exit Strategy
Think of a current situation where you feel pressure to compromise your values - a job, relationship, group, or commitment. Draw three columns: 'What I can change,' 'What's changing me,' and 'My bottom line.' Fill in each column honestly, then decide if this situation deserves more effort or if it's time to plan your principled exit.
Consider:
- •Consider both obvious pressures and subtle ones that creep up over time
- •Think about what you'd tell a friend in the same situation
- •Remember that leaving doesn't mean you failed - sometimes it means you succeeded at protecting what matters most
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you stayed too long in a situation that was changing you for the worse, or when you made a difficult decision to walk away. What did that experience teach you about recognizing when it's time to leave?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 19: The Student and the Master
Moving forward, we'll examine to balance confidence with humility in professional relationships, and understand continuous learning matters more than showing off what you know. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.