Confucius on the Rectification of Names written some 2500 years ago.
"Tzu-lu asked 'If the Lord of Wei entrusts the government to you, what will you do first?"
"Correct names, surely!" the Master said.
"How can you stray so far from the point! What would that correct?"
"Tzu-lu, you are a boor. On matters of which he is ignorant a gentleman expresses no opinion. If names are incorrect, it is impossible to speak. When it is impossible to speak, work is not done. When work is not done, society breaks down and punishment is ... (read more)
Confucius on the Rectification of Names written some 2500 years ago.
"Tzu-lu asked 'If the Lord of Wei entrusts the government to you, what will you do first?"
"Correct names, surely!" the Master said.
"How can you stray so far from the point! What would that correct?"
"Tzu-lu, you are a boor. On matters of which he is ignorant a gentleman expresses no opinion. If names are incorrect, it is impossible to speak. When it is impossible to speak, work is not done. When work is not done, society breaks down and punishment is ... (read more)