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Step 3 of 6~8 min read~28 min left
Analects 13.3, The Rectification Passage
Read the foundational text of zhengming and trace its logical chain.
“Zilu said, 'The ruler of Wei has been waiting for you, in order with you to administer the government. What will you consider the first thing to be done?' The Master replied, 'What is necessary is to rectify names!' [...] 'If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be accomplished. If affairs cannot be accomplished, proprieties and music will not flourish. If proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded. If punishments be not properly awarded, the people do not know how to move hand or foot. Therefore a superior man considers it necessary that the names he uses may be spoken appropriately, and also that what he speaks may be carried out appropriately.' — Confucius, Analects 13.3 (trans. James Legge)”