A disciple of Confucius remarked, "A man who is a good son and a good citizen will seldom be found to be a man disposed to quarrel with those in authority over him; and men who are not disposed to quarrel with those in authority will never be found to disturb the peace and order of the State."A wise man devotes his attention to what is essential in the foundation of life, When the foundation is laid, wisdom will come. Now, to be a good son and a good citizen—do not these form the foundation of a moral life?"

Yu Tzu said, "It is rare for a man whose character is such that he is good as a son and obedient as a young man to have the inclination to transgress against his superiors; it is unheard of for one who has no such inclination to be inclined to start a rebellion. The gentleman devotes his efforts to the roots, for once the roots are established, the Way will grow therefrom. Being good as a son and obedient as a young man is, perhaps, the root of a man’s character."

Master You said, "Those who in private life behave well towards their parents and elder brothers, in public life seldom show a disposition to resist the authority of their superiors. And as for such men starting a revolution, no instance of it has ever occurred. It is upon the trunk that a gentleman works. When that is firmly set up, the Way grows. And surely proper behaviour towards parents and elder brothers is the trunk of Goodness?"

Master You said: "It is a rare thing for someone who has a sense of filial and fraternal responsibility (xiaodi 孝弟) to have a taste for defying authority. And it is unheard of for those who have no taste for defying authority to be keen on initiating rebellion. Exemplary persons (junzi 君子) concentrate their efforts on the root, for the root having taken hold, the way (dao 道) will grow therefrom. As for filial and fraternal responsibility, it is, I suspect, the root of authoritative conduct (ren 仁)."

Yaou-chee says, that is the man, (who possesses filial piety and fraternal respect.) Possessing filial piety and fraternal respect, and approving opposition to superiors, few are to be found. Of those who dislike opposition to superiors, and (yet) encourage insurrection; I have found none. The honorable man carefully regards the root. The root fixed, and the habit formed, filial piety and fraternal respect (follow.) These are the source of virtue.