1诚信的价值

Good faithis one of the principal ethical standards one should observe in order to establish oneself in society. However, one must comply with ethical principles in honoring a promise. If a promise goes against ethical principles, one should not blindly deliver it. Confucianism stresses the importance of acting in goodfaith for both rulers and people: A ruler must keep his promises made to thepeople so that they will abide by his decrees; one should be honest and truthful towards friends.

“信”是为人立身需要遵守的基本道德。守信必须符合道义的原则，如果信约有悖于道义，则不能盲目追求信诺的履行。儒家特别强调两个领域内的“信”：其一，是执政者应信守对百姓的承诺，百姓才会信服于政令。其二，是朋友之间应守信不欺。