“It is shameful to call a sword what is not a sword, to call jade what is not jade, to call a person what is not a person.”
—
Confucius
Analects XIV.26 (trans. James Legge), paraphrase; related to Rectification of Names doctrine
Commentary
Confucius insists on accurate naming and definition. Each word and title carries responsibilities and expectations. To call something by the wrong name violates reality and creates confusion.
This principle (rectification of names, zhengming) means that a 'ruler' must actually rule wisely; a 'father' must care for his children; a 'friend' must offer honest counsel. If not, the name is a lie.
When names and realities align, social order follows naturally. When they diverge, chaos results. Therefore, the superior person is scrupulous about using words accurately and living up to the names and titles they bear.
Commentary
Confucius insists on accurate naming and definition. Each word and title carries responsibilities and expectations. To call something by the wrong name violates reality and creates confusion.
This principle (rectification of names, zhengming) means that a 'ruler' must actually rule wisely; a 'father' must care for his children; a 'friend' must offer honest counsel. If not, the name is a lie.
When names and realities align, social order follows naturally. When they diverge, chaos results. Therefore, the superior person is scrupulous about using words accurately and living up to the names and titles they bear.