Confucius' Idea of Righteousness and Benefit and Its Influence

The essence of morality is the idea of righteousness and benefit.In Confucius' eyes, righteousness includes both morality and duty. He also held that righteousness was the highest norm of human behavior, a golden rule to retain the relationship of monarch and subjects. He thought that benefit was necessary for everyone; the rulers should bring benefits to and bestow favor on the subjects, not covet benefits. According to Confucius' idea, righteousness and benefit are contradictory, the former is good while the latter is not, and at the same time they are a dialectical unity. This idea had left positive effects in history. We should review this idea and its influence, handle this contradiction in a dialectical way, and obtain benefits by advocating righteousness so as to realize socialist spiritual and material civilizations.