The Substance Over Form: “Though It’s Said He Did Not Coerce His Lord, I Do Not Believe It”

Confucius said of a minister: “He made a ‘request’ backed by force; I call that coercion.”

Zang Wu Zhong, keeping possession of Fang, asked of the duke of Lu to appoint a successor to him in his family. Although it may be said that he was not using force with his sovereign, I believe he was.

臧武仲以防求为后于鲁,虽曰不要君,吾不信也。

Source: The Analects, Xian Wen XIV, Chapter 14

Author: Confucius

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