When the Master came to Wu-ch‘êng, he heard the sound of singing and stringed instruments. He was pleased, but said with a smile: Is it necessary to take a pole-axe to kill a fowl?--Tzŭ Yu replied: Some time ago, Sir, I heard you say that the study of true principles made the ruler beneficent and men of the lower class easy to govern.--My children, said the Master, Yen is right. What I said was only in jest.[15] Tzŭ Chang asked Confucius, saying: What are the essentials of good government?--The Master said: Esteem the five excellent, and banish the four evil things; then you will become fit to govern.--Tzŭ Chang asked: What are the five excellent things?--The Master replied: The wise and good ruler is benevolent without expending treasure; he lays burdens on the people without causing them to grumble; he has desires without being covetous; he is serene without being proud; he is awe-inspiring without being ferocious.--He is benevolent without expending treasure: what does that mean?--The Master replied: He simply follows the course which naturally brings benefit to the people.[16] Is he not thus benevolent without expending treasure? In imposing burdens, he chooses the right time and the right means, and nobody can grumble. His desire is for goodness, and he achieves it; how should he be covetous? The wise and good ruler never allows himself to be negligent, whether he is dealing with many men or with few, with small matters or with great. Is this not serenity without pride? He has his cap and robe properly adjusted, and throws a noble dignity into his looks, so that his gravity inspires onlookers with respect. Is he not thus awe-inspiring without being ferocious?--Tzŭ Chang then asked: What are the four evil things?--The Master said: Cruelty:--leaving the people in their native ignorance, yet punishing their wrong-doing with death. Oppression:-- requiring the immediate completion of tasks imposed without previous warning. Ruthlessness:--giving vague orders, and then insisting on punctual fulfilment. Peddling husbandry:--stinginess in conferring the proper rewards on deserving men.[17] [1] _Ai_ was the honorary epithet of the Duke of Lu who was reigning during the last years of Confucius' life. [2] Chi K‘ang Tzu succeeded to the headship of the great Chi family in 491, when Chi Huan died, by whom he was advised to recall Confucius from his long wanderings. The sage, however, did not return until eight years later. [3] The point of the original lies partly in the fact that the Chinese words for "govern" and "straight" are similar in form and identical in sound.