Han Wangxi

ONCE, Mencius met King Xuan of Qi and asked him, “Is it more joyful to appreciate music alone or with others?” The king replied, “Certainly, it is more joyful to appreciate music with others.”

Mencius then asked, “Which brings greater happiness if one appreciates music with a few people or with a large group of people?” The king answered, “Of course, it is more joyful to appreciate music with a large group.”

Mencius then said: “Your Majesty, let me elucidate the principle of enjoying music for you.” He said that if the king is playing music and the people hear the sound of the bells, drums, flutes, and pipes, they will complain to each other, saying: “Our king enjoys music, but why does he make us so poor? Fathers and sons cannot reunite, and brothers are separated from their wives and children.”

Mencius continued, saying that if the king goes hunting and the people hear the noise of the king’s chariots and horses, and see the splendor of the flags, they will lament, saying: “Our king enjoys hunting, but why does he make us so poor? Fathers and sons cannot reunite, and brothers are separated from their wives and children.” There is no reason for this, other than because you do not share your joy with the people.

“If instead you, as the king, play music and the people hear the melodies, they will happily tell each other: ‘How prosperous our king is! That’s why music is performed.’ If you, as the king, go hunting and the people hear the sound of your chariots and horses, and see the splendor of the flags, they will merrily exclaim: ‘How strong our king is! That’s why he can go hunting.’ There is no reason for this, other than to share joy with the people.”

If a ruler can be kind and selfless, the music they enjoy will naturally become more refined and elegant, like a gentle breeze and drizzling rain, soothing the hearts of the people. Rites and music originate from the heart. When the world shares in this joy, the people’s joy becomes the king’s joy, and what the king possesses is what the people possess. This is the true path of a harmonious and virtuous world, where everyone is unified under the principles of benevolence and righteousness.

(The author is a cultural scholar.)

(Translated by Shenzhen Daily)