If one were able to perfect his filial piety and attention to fraternal duties, he would move the gods and divinities in heaven and earth, and will reach to the spiritual intelligence. The light of his great virtue would illuminate the whole world and all would be touched by the virtues of filial piety.

Scroll 9: Xiao Jing

Long and large grows the e; it is not the e but the hao.8 I am saddened by the loss of my parents, who gave me birth and brought me up at great personal cost. Fatherless, who is there to rely on? Motherless, who is there to depend on? When I go abroad, I carry my grief with me. When I came home, I have no one to go to. Oh my father, who begat me!
8 “e” and “hao” are two species of artemisia belonging to the daisy family of Asteraceae. According to the interpretation offered by the editor of the compilation, Wei Zheng, the son felt so sad over the death of his parents that he could not distinguish the difference between the two artemisia species. Another popular intepretation for this metaphor is that since “e” is aromatic and edible, it represents a promising future. “Hao”, which is bitter and unpalatable, represents a future that is bleak. The contrast meant to bring out the fact that the parents had hoped to have a son who has prospects of success in life, however, the son has failed to do so before his parents passed away, and this is a cause of great regrets for the son.
Oh my mother, who nurtured me! You raised me, you loved me; you brought me up, and you taught me. You cared for me and you worried for me; everywhere you went you held me in your arms. If I would return your kindness, it is like great heaven, illimitable.

Scroll 3: Mao Shi

There are three levels of filial piety in action: A minor filial piety that takes the form of physical labor; an intermediate filial piety that applies meritorious deeds; a greater filial piety that holds back nothing. When I remember the love my parents gave me and the sacrifices they had to make in bringing me up, I am able to forget my own physical fatigue when I make ends meet to serve them. Such is the minor filial piety that takes the form of physical labor. When I revere benevolent virtues and enable society to abide contentedly in righteousness, such is the intermediate filial piety that applies meritorious deeds. Propagating moral and ethical teachings across the lands, dispensing benefits, and providing for all things necessary to enable every person to support their parents and prepare adequate offerings to their ancestors, such is the greater filial piety that holds back nothing. If my parents love me I will rejoice and never forget their kindness. If they dislike me I will be even more vigilant against any wrong doings that I may commit and bear no resentment against my parents. If they commit a mistake I will persuade them to change but I will not rebel against them. When my parents pass away, I will pay my respects to them with food I obtained with legitimate means. Such is the complete fulfillment of propriety.

Scroll 7: Li Ji

Our bodies, to every hair and every bit of skin, are given to us by our parents, and we must not presume to injure or wound them. This is the beginning of filial piety. When we have established a virtuous character by the practice of the filial course, so as to make our name revered in future ages and thereby glorify our parents, this is the ultimate goal of filial piety. It commences with the service of parents; it proceeds to the service of the ruler; it ends with the establishment of a virtuous character.

Scroll 9: Xiao Jing

Above others, and yet free from conceit, even when they live in high-status position, they will not invite perils to themselves. They live with economy and carefully observe the rules and laws, thus even when they are wealthy, they will not spend wastefully. To live in a high-status position without peril is the way to preserve lasting nobility. To possess wealth without wastefulness is the way to preserve lasting riches. When their riches and nobility do not leave their persons, they are able to preserve their land and bring harmony to their people. This is the filial piety of the lords. It is said in the book of Shi-Jing: Xiao Ya (Book of Odes): “Be apprehensive, be cautious, as if on the brink of a deep abyss, as if treading on thin ice.”

Scroll 9: Xiao Jing

Senior ministers do not presume to wear robes other than those appointed by the laws of the ancient kings, or to speak words other than those sanctioned by the ancient kings, or to exhibit conduct other than that exemplified by the ancient kings. Thus none of their words are contrary to those sanctions and none of their actions are contrary to the virtuous way. From their mouths there comes no exceptionable speech, and in their conduct there are no exceptionable actions. Their words may spread all over the world and no error of speech will be found in them. Their actions may spread all over the world, and no grievances
or dislikes will be awakened by them. When these three things—their robes, their words, and their conduct—are all complete as they should be, they can then preserve
their ancestral shrines. This is the filial piety of the high ministers and great officers. It is said in the book of Shi Jing: “He is never idle, day or night, in the service of the Son of Heaven.”

Scroll 9: Xiao Jing

Servicing a leader with the heart of a filial child will enable one to perform his duties to the leader loyally. Servicing a superior with the heart of a respectful sibling will enable one to comply with duties given by that superior. When subordinates can engage loyalty and comply flawlessly in the service of the leader and superior, they will be able to maintain their earnings and positions as well as preserve the ritual services of their ancestors. This is the filial piety of a lower ranking officer.

Scroll 9: Xiao Jing

By following and making the most out of the changing seasons, common people distinguish the advantages afforded by different soils in order to reap the biggest harvest. They are careful in their conduct and frugal with their expenses so that they may support their parents. This is the filial piety that common people should fulfill. Thus from the Son of Heaven down to the common people, starting with serving parents reverently to the end when a name is established in honor of the family, the filial duties are not difficult to fulfill. The way of filial piety sees no divisions of superiority or inferiority; it transcends time and space; it is eternal, without beginning or an end. No one should worry that they would not be able to fulfill their filial duties.

Scroll 9: Xiao Jing

Confucius said: “When filial children serve their parents at home they will do so with utmost respects. When they tend to the needs of their parents they will do so with utmost gladness. When they take care of their parents who are ill they will do so with utmost concern. When their parents pass away they will take care of the funeral services with the greatest grief, and in offering memorials to their parents they will show utmost solemnity. It can be said that children have truly fulfilled their duties to their parents when these five things are complete.”

Scroll 9: Xiao Jing

Zengzi said: “Our bodies came from our parents. How can any person not be prudent in using this body to conduct his affairs? Leading a frivolous lifestyle is unfilial. Serving one’s superior disloyally is unfilial. Working as government officials but not being serious and responsible is unfilial. Not being trustworthy toward friends is unfilial, and being cowardly when at war is unfilial. Failure to fulfill these five filial duties will be detrimental to our parents’ reputation. How can we not be prudent in using this body to conduct our affairs?”

Scroll 7: Li Ji

I dare not forget my parents in every step I take, and I dare not forget my parents in every word I say. As I remember my parents in every step I take, I will choose the right course of actions in preference to a devious short cut. If there is a boat I can ride I will not choose to wade across the river—all for the fear of putting this body given to me by my parents at risk. As I remember my parents in every word I say, I will not use abusive language and cause revile words to be thrown back at me. Not subjecting myself to indignities and causing my parents shame, this can be considered as filial piety.

Scroll 7: Li Ji

He who does not love his parents but loves others rejects virtue. He who does not revere his parents but reveres others rejects propriety.

Scroll 9: Xiao Jing