On Music

This essay systematically demonstrates the idea of musical education. The first half expounds the reason and strategy for the great Former Kings to create music. Music is derived from human emotions; therefore, it might lead to disorders without guidance. For this reason, the Former Kings formulated music to inspire kindness in men by means of the far-reaching effect of music of court hymns and eulogies to resist evil and stop strife. Music contributed to the harmony between the monarch and his subjects, father and son, brothers and sisters, and village chief and the fellow villagers, so much so that people became broad-minded and cooperative, observed rite and morality, and thus their manners and customs got transformed. As vocal music exercised a huge and rapid influence on men, the great Former Kings were very cautious in making the rules of music so that music suiting to rites was honored and corrupt music despised. The essay also criticizes Di Mo for his ignorance of the intention of the great Former Kings and his denial of the positive role of music.