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Single Idea 8240

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / b. Monarchy ]

Full Idea

If you shared your enjoyment of music or of hunting with the people, you would be a true King.

Gist of Idea

A true king shares his pleasure with the people

Source

Mengzi (Mencius) (The Mengzi (Mencius) [c.332 BCE], 1.B.1)

Book Ref

Mencius: 'Mencius', ed/tr. Lau,D.C. [Penguin 1970], p.61


A Reaction

I suspect that this is a great truth for dictators and traditional monarchs. One pictures the successful ones attending public entertainments, and allowing the public to see their own. Tyrants keep entertainment private. Nero is a counterexample!


The 10 ideas from Mengzi (Mencius)

Human nature is naturally compassionate and good (as a 'sprout'), but people may not be good [Mengzi (Mencius), by Norden]
Should a coward who ran fifty paces from a battle laugh at another who ran a hundred? [Mengzi (Mencius)]
Extend the treatment of the old and young in your family to the rest of society [Mengzi (Mencius)]
Seeking peace through war is like looking for fish up a tree [Mengzi (Mencius)]
Avoid the animals you are going to eat, as it is hard once you have got to know them [Mengzi (Mencius)]
A true king shares his pleasure with the people [Mengzi (Mencius)]
If the King likes music then there is hope for the state [Mengzi (Mencius)]
Only put someone to death if the whole population believes it is deserved [Mengzi (Mencius)]
Each correct feeling relies on an underlying virtue [Mengzi (Mencius)]
Righteousness is extending the unthinkable, to reveal what must be done [Mengzi (Mencius)]