Kuang Heng’s Remarks on Disasters, Unusual Phenomena and Leading by Example
Kuang Heng’s Remarks on Disasters, Unusual Phenomena and Leading by ExampleKuang Heng was a man of Cheng County in Donghai area during the Western Han Dynasty (BC 202 – AD 8). He was eager to learn and had many insights into both history and current events. He was recommended to the emperor for his wisdom, capabilities, and superior knowledge of the I Ching, also known as The Book of Changes.
At that time, solar eclipses and earthquakes occurred. People believed that celestial changes correspond to affairs in the human world. They believed that the heavens are always watching the good and bad things among humans, as well as their gains and losses. So when disasters happened, the emperor reflected on himself, inquiring whether these disasters and unusual phenomena were related to his performance.
Kuang Heng thought these disasters and unusual phenomena were related to the deteriorating morals in society. He wrote to the emperor:
"Confucius said, ‘If [an emperor] could govern with courtesy and modesty, governing the country would not be difficult.’ The imperial court is the backbone of society. If the officials are respectful and courteous to each other, then the common people will not fight amongst themselves. If the emperor is kind, just, and generous, then the people will not use violence. If the emperor admires great integrity, then the people will pay attention to virtue and their behaviors. If the emperor is gentle and tolerant, the people will care about each other. These four reasons are why an open-minded emperor does not need strict criminal penalties and yet can lead the people. On the other hand, if there are reckless and unreasonable arguments and behavior in the imperial court, there will be causes for conflict among the people. If the emperor is arbitrary and despotic, the people will not be courteous and modest. If there are court officials who seek to get ahead, the people will harm each other. If there are officials who are greedy for money and benefits, there will be thieves and robbers among the people. This is the fundamental reason for changes in society.
"Nowadays the country is governed by officials who have little capability or knowledge. They do not follow the principles of modesty and courtesy, and promote violence and rigidity instead. They set traps for others out of jealousy, seek monetary returns, and pursue power. As a result, many people break the law, and many evils run rampant. Even the strictest criminal penalties cannot change this situation. This is not due to their nature, but to bad directions from those in power."
"I have studied the book Guo Feng. I read that in history, Emperor Zhuang of the Zheng State was brave, so his people fought a tiger with their bare hands. Emperor Mu of the Qin State emphasized integrity, so his scholars followed him despite risking death. Madame Chen was fond of witchcraft, so the people spent a lot of money on funeral arrangements. Lord Jin was frugal, so his people accumulated wealth. Emperor Tai of the Zhou Dynasty was kind and just, so the people inside and outside his country both encouraged tolerance."
"We can see that the ruler of a country should promote an example that people can follow. Nowadays, hypocrisy, shallowness, jealousy, back-stabbing, and the extreme lack of modesty prevail. I heard that to widely provide guidance to the people does not require teaching everyone in their homes. As long as people with kindness and virtue are in high ranks, and capable people are placed in appropriate positions, the imperial court will have etiquette, and the people will enjoy respect and modesty. The teaching of morals starts from inside the imperial court to the outside, and starts with every individual. Then the people will know what principles to follow, and become kind-hearted naturally. This way, the people live in peace and happiness, the gods and spirits are in harmony, and auspicious phenomena will occur."
Kuang Heng further explained to the emperor the current problems and encouraged the emperor to promote kindness, etiquette, and good virtue. The emperor was very pleased to hear it. Kuang Heng continued to advocate proper governing concepts based on historic events. Eventually, Kuang Heng was promoted to Prime Minister.
匡衡论“灾异”和“上行下效”
匡衡，字稚圭，西汉东海承县人。他非常好学，博古通今，因智慧、才能和经学造诣出众，而被人推荐给皇上。
当时，发生了日食、地震等灾异变化，人们深知天象的变化与人世间的事是相互对应和关联的，上天在时时洞察着人的善恶得失。所以皇上便反省自身，询问之所以发生这些灾异变化，是否与自己的施政好坏有关。
匡衡认为，这些灾异变化同当时越来越趋向败坏的社会风气有关，于是便上疏说道：
“孔子说：‘能以礼节谦让治理国家，何难之有？’朝廷是支撑天下的梁柱。公卿大夫之间相互遵循礼节，恭敬谦让，那么百姓就不会互相争斗；上面爱好仁义，乐于施舍，那么百姓们就不会使用暴力；上面崇尚高风亮节，那么百姓就会注重品行；上面宽大和柔，温和仁惠，那么百姓就会相互爱护。这四点，是开明君主之所以不需施行严厉的刑法，而能教化天下的原因。为什么呢？因为朝廷上有冲动无理的争论言行，下面就有争斗的祸患；上面有独断专权的人，下面就会有不谦让的人；上面有争胜的大臣，下面就会有相互伤害之心；上面有贪财好利之臣，下面就会有偷盗行窃之民。这就是世俗变化的根本原因。
当今才智凡庸的官吏治理国家，都不遵循礼节谦让的原则，而推崇苛刻暴虐，喜欢嫉忌陷害于人，贪取财利并倾慕权势，因此犯法的人很多，奸邪不止；即使用严厉的刑法，仍然不能改变这种状况。这不是他们的天性，而是由于当政者没有教化好。
我研究《国风》。郑庄公好勇，其国人就空手搏虎；秦穆公注重信誉，士人多以死相从；陈夫人爱好巫术，百姓就大肆祭祀；晋侯喜好节俭，其百姓就积财聚物；周太王躬行仁义，国内外就崇尚宽恕。
由此可见，治理国家应提倡一种百姓可效法的风俗。现在的风俗，虚伪浅薄、嫉妒陷害，不谦让到了极点。我听说教化的普及，并不是要到家中去对每一个人进行说教。只要贤德的人处在正位，有才能的人安排适合的职位，朝廷崇尚礼节，百官注重恭敬谦让。道德教化，由内到外，从身边开始，然后百姓知道效法的准则，不知不觉就会变的善良起来。这样百姓安乐，阴阳和合，神灵感应，喜庆吉祥的气象就会出现。”
匡衡进一步向皇上阐述了当下一些弊端的原因，并劝谏皇上施行仁政，重视礼让美德。皇上听后很高兴，升匡衡为光禄大夫、太子少傅。后来因为匡衡又多次上疏，依据经典义理来陈述和劝谏皇上应该如何治国理政，皇上任命他为光禄勋、御史大夫，后升任丞相，受封安乐侯。