publishers notes foreword introduction chapter one from filial to universal love li mi, an epitome of loyalty and filial piety emperor kang: an exemr in practicing filial piety chapter two when everyone honors brotherhood, all within the four seas are brothers duke of zhou prays for his older brothers safety king mu travels to the western regions and cultivates brotherhood in a foreign land chapter three uphol righteousness and impartiality for the state and the people fu e benefits the people by manifesting loyalty zheng e disys loyalty and loves the people chapter four integrity as the utmost virtue is more precious than gold meng ns integrity finally pays off shang yang gains credibility by rewar people for moving a log duke wen of jin kee his promise and retreats to give way chapter five propriety is critical for personal development, national governance and stability the hong emperor values filial piety and attends to ritual utensils in person duke zhao knows the exterior of propriety instead of its essence chapter six righteousness as the essential quality of great men yanzi, a righteous man, did not abandon his wife after achieving success and winning recognition fan zhongyans righteousness benefits later generations unyiel wen tianang dies for righteousness chapter seven integrity as the foundation of good governance integrity being the foremost criterion in mao jies selection of offis thrift and integrity underpinning the prosperous zhenguan period of the tang dynasty chapter eight moral virtues are critical for individual conduct and national glory with a sense of shame, lian po carries brambles on his bare back to ask for punishment goujian tastes the gallbladder to remind himself of national humiliation classic quotes