Single Idea 8239

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / C. Artistic Issues / 7. Art and Morality]

Full Idea

If the King has a great fondness for music, then perhaps there is hope for the state of Ch'i.

Gist of Idea

If the King likes music then there is hope for the state

Source

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

Book Reference

Mencius: 'Mencius', ed/tr. Lau,D.C. [Penguin 1970], p.60


A Reaction

This seems to be Shakespeare's attitude to music as well. The general idea must be that love of music requires a selfless state of mind, where the mind revels in the beauty of something outside of itself. Respect is the desirable result.