Therefore, the ceremony takes the Tao for ambition, the music is in harmony with its voice, the politics is in line with its actions, and the punishment is to prevent its rape. Sheila
In the original text, courtesy is based on Tao's ambition (2), joy is based on harmony (3), politics is based on its actions, and punishment is used to prevent its rape (4). Rites, music, politics, one of them is also (5), so it is also (6) to rule with the people's hearts. Note] (1) This section is selected from Le Ji Le Ben. (2) Tao: the same as "guidance" and induction. . (3) Harmony: It means to adjust people's emotions. (4) rape: evil. (5) Extreme: the ultimate goal. (6) Out: realization. Wisdom to 2: the truth of wisdom in the world. Etiquette is used to induce people's hearts. Music is used to reconcile people's emotions, decrees are used to agree with people's behavior, and penalties are used to prevent evil behavior. Etiquette, music, punishment and decrees have the same ultimate goal, and they are all used to unify the people's hearts and realize the truth of governing the country and leveling the world. Understanding the function of music in this section, juxtaposing it with etiquette, decrees and penalties, shows that Confucianism is flattering music. Among many art categories, why does Confucianism have a unique preference for music and elevate it to the height of governing the country and helping the country? This is probably related to the situation since the Zhou Dynasty. When music is used, it is always in the temple, used in major affairs such as sacrifice and etiquette, and there are few music purely for pleasure. Therefore, music is always taken seriously and closely linked with the ruling people, which is why it is highly praised. In fact, the role of music is far from so great. It can't solve people's practical problems such as food, clothing, housing and transportation, let alone determine the rise and fall of the country. It just expresses the author's feelings about life. Confucianism attaches great importance to music, which can make us find an important feature of their literary and artistic thoughts: they attach great importance to the social utility and purpose of literature and art, and disapprove of art for art's sake.