What Is an Honorarium?

Remuneration, that is, the money you need to pay someone to do one thing or something equivalent to money

[chóu jn]

In the law of Lu, the Lu people were enslaved to the princes, and those who could redeem them took their money at the house. Zigong redeemed the Lu people to the princes and came to let them take no money. Confucius said: "Given the loss. From now on, the Lu people did not redeem people's money. If they take their money, they will not damage them. If they don't take their money, they will not redeem them." Cattle, I will accept it. Confucius said: "The Lu people will save the drowning people." This is an allusion recorded in "Lv's Spring and Autumn and Chawei", which basically means that the laws of the Lu state stipulate that the Lu people will be slaves in other vassal countries. If someone can help them redeem themselves, they can come back and receive their remuneration from the treasury. This law allowed many Lu people to return to their hometowns. Confucius' student Zi Gong redeemed a Lu from another vassal state, but resigned after returning and refused to receive government remuneration. Confucius said to him, "Duanmuci (that is, Zigong), you are wrong to do this. From now on, the Lu people will no longer redeem people. Collecting money from the treasury will not harm one's character, but if you do not receive remuneration, No more redemption. "Another student, Confucius, rescued a man who fell into the water. The man thanked him with a cow, and Zilu accepted it. Confucius said: "The Lu people will have the courage to rescue those who fall into the water."

On the surface, they both did a good deed, but Zigong did nt ask for anything in return. It seemed to be closer to the selfless dedication in our traditional education. Compared to this, Zilu was much inferior. The period can be regarded as a valuable gift. Accepting such a valuable return is naturally far from the spirit of Lei Feng that we praise. However, Confucius' evaluation of their behavior is exactly the opposite. He believes that Zigong's behavior is "incorrect" and is said to have driven Zigong out of the teacher accordingly; he recognizes Zigong's behavior and gives encouragement. .

Confucius's evaluation of this is naturally justified. Although Zigong's behavior seemed very noble and free, he privately raised the standard of "benevolent". "Benevolence" is not only for the rescue of fellow citizens, but must be added without asking for reward. Zigong is the richest man among Confucius disciples. The remuneration he receives is not much compared to his wealth, but for others, the reciprocal reward is not a small amount. In the face of real life, Most people cannot be "free and easy" like him, after all, "free and easy" requires capital. So many people will choose to retreat from the tall image of Zigong, that is, "Lu people do not redeem themselves" as asserted to Confucius. If Zigong is to achieve his reputation, we can think that he is selfish, and even there is no lack of showing off; if Zigong is purely for justice and wealth, then at least he is not so smart. In short, Confucius's evaluation is That's right "Giving Lost Puppet".