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Filial Piety

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Filial Piety Filial piety is the root of virtue and the source of civilization. The family has always been considered by the Chinese as the fundamental unit of their society. They think that since we receive our body, hair, and skin from our parents, we do not dare let it be injured in any away. That is the beginning of filial piety. Different classes have different ways to fulfill filial piety. Filial piety begins with serving our parents, continues with serving the rulers. For Son of Heaven, the filial piety consists in serving his parents and complete love and respect so that he becomes a model for the all people. The filial piety of feudal lords is to preserve wealth and rank for a long time, so they will be bale to protect their heritage and keep their people in peace. The filial piety of ministers and high officers is to speak proper words and follow something inside the Way. For scholars, they need to serve a ruler loyally and serve an elder obediently. The filial piety of common people is to follow the laws of nature to utilize the earth to the best advantage. They have to take care of themselves and support their parents. Thus from Son of Heaven to common people, unless filial piety is from beginning to end, calamities will surely result. Filial piety is the pattern of the Heaven, the standard of the earth, the normal conduct for the people. The former kings set an example of rectitude and virtue, and they make clear to people the difference between good and evil. As a consequence the people copy them and live in concord. Thus, a ruler’s instruction succeeds without being stringent and his policies are effective with out being stringent. However filial piety might have some negative effects. Firstly, filial piety becomes a spiritual basis and basic moral force of feudal autocratic governance. Because rulers make people believe that serving a ruler loyally is filial piety. It is fraudulent for people. Secondly, filial piety advocates absolute authority of superior or elder and it expropriate the individual freedom of junior. In addition, brotherly love means one should respect brother and be obedient to brother. It is different from filial piety. Because parents give life- no tie is stronger than this. And loving others without first loving one’s parents is to reject virtue. Filial piety is Chinese traditional virtue and has a far-reaching impact of Chinese people.

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