What does Confucius think is the key to governing the country?

The core content of Confucius' political thought is "courtesy" and "benevolence". In the general plan of governing the country, he advocated "governing the country by virtue", which is the noblest way to govern the country.

This strategy of governing the country is also called "rule by virtue" or "rule by courtesy". This strategy applies morality and politeness to the people, strictly follows the hierarchical system, and divides nobles and civilians into rulers and ruled. Broke the original important boundary between nobles and civilians.

Extended data

Confucius lived in Lu, which had a deep tradition of patriarchal clan system in the Western Zhou Dynasty. At this time, the ruling power of the Zhou Dynasty had existed in name only, and there were constant struggles among governors, resulting in the social reality of "losing the king, abolishing etiquette and righteousness, losing political power, and being at home in the world". "No monarch, no minister, no father and no son" became the characteristic of that era.

The intensification of social contradictions has hindered the development of productive forces, and people's spirit and beliefs have also been destroyed as never before. These isomorphisms have become the historical origin and social conditions of Confucius' political thought, and "benevolence" and "courtesy" are the basic spirits of his political thought.

Confucius' highest political ideal is to establish a "world for the public" Datong society. The basic characteristics of "Datong" society are: the road is smooth, and "the world is public", so people can "choose their talents, talk about faith and friendship", and "people are not only close to their relatives, but also children, so that they can be provided for in the old age, be strong and useful, have their own strengths, be lonely and sick, and be provided for in the old age."