Analects 12:7

Tzu-kung asked about government.  Confucius said, “Sufficient food, sufficient armament, and sufficient confidence of the people.”  Tzu-kung said, “Forced to give up one of these, which would you abandon first?”  Confucius said, “I would abandon armament.”  Tzu-kung said, “Forced to give up one of the remaining two, which would you abandon first?”  Confucius said, “I would abandon food.  There have been deaths from time immemorial, but no state can exist without the confidence of the people.”  [Analects 12:7]

Today, I would try to interpret the above analect from the topic "Regulation by Virtue, no Law or Force" in Achieving Social Harmony.

From the title of the topic itself, "... no law or force" Confucius' way of governing is not through violence. He wanted for leaders to rule with the use of virtues, something that demands the people to obey him without the use of proper manners. He wanted to promote peace and order in a way that no one is being harassed in any way be it physically, mentally, emotionally, economically, etc. For Confucius, the way to good governance is through non-violent acts. Using of force to earn the approval of the people will give no good. This would only disrupt the social harmony.

In the above analect, Confucius points out that wealth and power is not the most important part in the government. It is the confidence of the people. The confidence of the people is the trust and respect for each other and for the leaders which results in an optimistic kind of view. This lets them be unified despite the battles they are facing. The lack of food and armament cannot fully bring the society or state down. Yes, it will bring chaos but the most important thing that should not be lost or lacking is the people. Through the battles, their would be deaths but it does not tore down everything. According to Confucius, a state cannot stand without its people because accomplishments in the state is best done if there are more people who will act upon it. "Two heads are better than one" according to the saying. Better results are sought if the people are working together. If there are no people acting, little achievements can be seen.

In a state, the confidence of the people is important to bring the state to its highest possible position. Without them, improvements can be so slow. The confidence of the people starts with the right treatment of the leader/s. The confidence of the people can only be gained when the leader is not imposing something through the use of force. Right manners, and rules of propriety must be observed. The positive connection between the people and the leader/s brings or strengthens the social harmony that Confucius was seeking. The two bodies of the state should be in agreement to have a unified body and ways of governing.