Three Fundamental Bonds and Five Constant Virtues

Meaning

Three Bonds

The three bonds are between father and son, lord and retainer, and husband and wife and they constitute three of the five relationships (五倫; wǔlún) described in the Mencius. According to Hsu Dau-lin, the concept of the Three Bonds was originally a Legalist idea.

The lord is yang 陽, the retainer is yin 陰; the father is yang, the son is yin; the husband is yang, the wife is yin. The way of yin cannot proceed any where on its own.... Therefore, the retainer depends on his lord to gain merit; the son depends on his father; the wife on her husband, yin on yang, and the Earth on Heaven.... The Three [Fundamental Bonds] of the kingly way can be sought in Heaven.

— Chapter 53 of the Book of Han

Five Virtues

The five most important virtues are benevolence (ren 仁), righteousness (yi 義), propriety (li 禮), wisdom (zhi 智), and trustworthiness (xin 信). The first four virtues were grouped together in the Mengzi. The fifth virtue, xin, was added by Dong Zhongshu. Trustworthiness, or sincerity, is considered the most important of the five virtues, and the foundation for the other virtues. The remaining virtues derive from the Four Sprouts described by Mencius in the Confucian classic of the same name.

Benevolence is described as "forming one body" in relation to others, which requires seeing ourselves as extensions of others and vice versa. Paradigm cases of ren include acts of love or acting in others' interests, such as taking care of a family member.

Righteousness is when someone refuses to violate prohibitions that would be regarded as shameful or degrading such as bribery. Righteousness can be seen as the distribution of goods according to one's merit and position.

Propriety or li is broader in scope than the English word would entail. It is when someone performs a ritual with reverence, covering social protocol in situations that require a sense of respect, such as weddings, funerals, greetings, and serving food and drink.

Wisdom is understanding the other virtues' characteristic motives and feelings, correctly assessing the quality of a person's character, and knowing the best means to achieve virtuous ends.

Trustworthiness or faithfulness is understood as commitment to reality in a consistent and reliable way. Some Confucians did not consider xin to be its own domain of activity since it regulates and supports virtues. They all require one to be aware of what is real and avoid self-serving delusions.

What are the Five Constant Virtues? They are benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. Benevolence means not being able to endure (seeing others suffer), loving others, and aiding all living things. Righteousness means doing what is proper. In making judgments one hits the mark. Propriety means to enact. That is, to realize the way and perfect the refined. Wisdom means knowledge. One has a special understanding and can know things before hearing about them. He is not befuddled by matters and can discern the subtle. Trustworthiness means sincerity. One cannot be deterred from his purpose. Therefore, people are born and respond to the Eight Trigrams, thereby obtaining the five energies (qi 氣) that are the Constant Virtues.

— Chapter 30 of Bai Hu Tong