The Definition of a Great Minister: To Serve by Principle, or to Withdraw

By / / definition, great minister, political ethics, politics, principle, service, statesman, withdrawal, Xian Jin XI, Xian Jin XI Chapter 24
Confucius defined: “A great minister serves the prince by principle, and retires when he cannot.”

What is called a great minister, is one who serves his prince according to what is right, and when he finds he cannot do so, retires.

所谓大臣者：以道事君，不可则止。

Source: The Analects, Xian Jin XI, Chapter 24

Author: Confucius

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